The Housemaid Review
It’s always terrifying to have to think about something that isn’t always what it seems, especially when it comes to relationship drama. In Freida McFadden’s book, The Housemaid, that’s exactly what readers get: a romantically dark story about mental trauma, physical abuse, and empowerment. While the book itself is an incredibly nerve-wracking, if precarious, narrative to experience, one can only assume how similarly intense it would be to bring it to the big screen. Fortunately, under the direction of Another Simple Favor’s Paul Feig, this story’s theatrical adaptation comes out as a seductively cutthroat and chilling thriller to remember.
The Housemaid follows Millie Calloway (Sydney Sweeney), a desperate young job seeker who’s chosen by the wealthy Winchesters, Nina (Amanda Seyfried) and Andrew (Brandon Sklenar), to become their housemaid. Though she believes the Winchesters have the perfect life, Millie soon discovers Nina’s messier personality and the dark secrets that plague this family. As Millie begins to unravel the mystery of the Winchesters, she finds herself at the center of this family’s very messy affairs.
From the get-go, there’s already this tension that feels apparent in Millie and Nina’s first meeting. As someone who went into this film on a blind watch, it felt clear that Millie was masking her “on-the-road” lifestyle in order to get something out of it. In a similar way with Nina, her need for trying to compose herself can somewhat put you on edge as you don’t expect it to work out at all.
Initially, Nina has this slight bossiness to her underneath that bright charm and helpfulness to her character when she gives the rundown to Millie. However, when that mask slowly starts to come off, you begin to understand why she’s like this in the first place.
Of course, given the emotional stakes of this film, it has to have a meticulous build-up to throw you off the truth. From Nina trying to falsify Millie not being able to bring up their daughter, Cecelia, to Nina lashing out when Millie apparently “misplaces” Nina’s PTA speech, every little incident between the two truly matters.
In nearly every scene that involves an incident, Nina’s breaking will certainly make you think that she’s the antagonist. For most of the first act, that truly felt like the case thanks to Seyfried’s fiery performance whenever Nina tries to put the blame on Millie.
If you’re going into this film completely blind without seeing any trailers, you’d expect that Nina would be the bad person. It also constantly drops hints that further emphasize Nina’s “psycho” state, like when Millie overhears Nina’s friends calling out Nina’s previous breakdowns and mental hospital stays. Feig’s intricate direction really puts you into that perspective, even when Millie latches onto Andrew romantically later on. It makes you want to empathize with what Andrew has to put up with, but then again, all of these characters aren’t perfect.
That’s what exactly happens when Millie discovers the truth about everything after Nina decides to leave the family. By this point, you’d think that the story would reach its end given the intense stakes that were already present. However, because of how McFadden’s original story keeps the ball rolling, Feig’s execution of the final act is extremely harrowing to watch. Though Sklenar’s performances in the previous acts are much more laid back, he embraces an incredibly colder, and somewhat bolder, character. His approach in transforming Andrew from a caring sweetheart to this brooding terror as Millie tries to appease him is genuinely scary. This is felt even more so near the climax of the movie, when all seems said and done only for a last-minute arrival to nearly mess up everything.
This also goes for Nina, whose twist is perfectly kept under wraps aside from some slight identifiers, such as the Winchesters’ groundskeeper, Enzo (Michele Morrone). What little interactions Nina shares outside of Millie and Andrew do manage to keep you in suspense, but they’re mostly there to be a general warning sign. Yet, those cold, deadeye stares that Nina gives off, both in some of the “jumpscare” moments as well as those tense conversations, will put you on edge. Though you can slightly feel the psychological desperation that Nina hides, you don’t necessarily change it.
That’s why when Nina’s twist is revealed, it feels ever more impactful to see what she’s been dealing with. Of course, she’s not perfect as she’s had to put Millie into her own shoes with Andrew. However, at the same time, you also want to believe that what Nina does is for everyone’s good (well, not really for Andrew.) By the time that the film reaches its conclusion, this motivated feeling slowly starts to vanish once you sit with everyone’s perspectives.
Speaking about the conclusion, there is a slight change to how Feig approaches what happens with everyone. The build-up to the climax, in addition to what happens here, is much more involved by the main trio on all ends. What results is a satisfying and powerful ending for all of these characters that truly feels deserved. While McFadden’s book takes a somewhat more reserved approach, Feig executes this climax and ending nearly perfectly. Although, it also feels like what happens with Millie feels slightly complicated.
The Housemaid is a chilling and cutthroat thriller that will keep you hooked until the very end thanks to Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney’s riveting performances. Feig has gotten back up on his feet to deliver a really great psychological thriller, more so than Another Simple Favor. His approach to McFadden’s book truly works in making your heart throb and pound with this empowering adaptation.
The Housemaid releases in theaters on December 19.
Rating: ★★★★
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Christopher Gallardo is a freelance entertainment writer and critic. While not running The Reel Roller, Chris can be found writing reviews and breakdowns on all things films and TV. Outside of entertainment writing, he’s currently taking classes for a Bachelor’s of Science with a minor in Digital Media & Journalism. Plus, he loves Percy Jackson, animated films and shows, and Fallout! Follow Christopher on Instagram & X.