Director Paul Feig has come a long way from the comedic musings of Bridesmaids (2011), The Heat (2013), and Spy (2015). Starting in 2018, he pivoted into a campy thriller territory with A Simple Favor. The result of which delivered something devilishly entertaining, wrapped in a darkly comedic package. Now in 2025, Feig is back with an adaptation of Freida McFadden’s 2022 novel titled The Housemaid. Add Amanda Seyfried (Mean Girls; The Testament of Ann Lee) and Sydney Sweeney (Anyone But You) in the titular roles, and the ingredients could be in place for another fun thriller.
Amanda Seyfried as Nina Winchester in THE HOUSEMAID. Photo Credit: Daniel McFadden/Lionsgate. © 2025 Lionsgate.
2025’s The Housemaid follows a young woman named Millie (Sydney Sweeney) who is looking for a fresh start in life. Her pursuit leads her to finding a job as a housemaid for the wealthy Winchester family. While Nina (Amanda Seyfried), Andrew (Brendan Sklenar), and (not really) Cece (Indiana Elle) welcome Millie with open arms, everything is not as it seems. Saying any more about The Housemaid would ruin the fun to be had with the film. What can be said is that these performances relish the material in the best possible way.
This idea can be best showcased in Seyfried’s performance as Nina. What can be said about the performance is that it has many moments of surprise. She makes Nina someone whom we, as an audience, can never predict what she’ll say or do next. It’s the sort of performance that, to some, references certain old-school (as in films by classic directors) thrillers. Those elements concoct a playful performance, oftentimes very funny, and surprisingly scary. Yet, it’s within those ingredients that cohesive and surprisingly moving themes and ideas take shape. In some cases, it’s a similar component to the performances of some of Seyfried’s costars in the film.
Brandon Sklenar as Andrew Winchester in THE HOUSEMAID. Photo Credit: Daniel McFadden/Lionsgate. © 2025 Lionsgate.
Sklenar (1923: A Yellowstone Origin Story) is tasked with a similar challenge to Seyfried. His character, Andrew, is presented as one thing but evolves as the film progresses. Sklenar has a charm and likability that is infectious to witness as a viewer. While it does not make us emotionally involved with the character, it makes us want to know more about him. Some will find him swoon-worthy, but most will find something about him that’s hard to look away from thanks to a charming persona. Paired with Seyfried, his performance has layers that you simply will not expect in this kind of film. That makes for something incredibly engaging to watch on screen.
Last, but certainly not least, is Sweeney’s performance as Millie. To put it plainly, Sweeney is still growing as a performer. The Housemaid thankfully understands that very facet of her talents. She is asked to balance naivety with some hidden strengths that the film later reveals about her character. For any performer, that duality can be a tricky feat to accomplish. It would be a lie to say that Sweeney can fully manage the required tonal balance. She nails the wide-eyed innocence which allures audiences who want to know more about her character. When revelations happen that require more dramatic heft, especially with the other titular characters, Sweeney struggles. This certainly lets her flex different acting muscles (also showing growth as an actor), but it leads to my biggest problem with the film.
Sydney Sweeney as Millie Calloway in THE HOUSEMAID. Photo Credit: Daniel McFadden/Lionsgate. © 2025 Lionsgate.
The Housemaid suffers from severe pacing issues in both the editing and the screenplay. Clocking in at 131 minutes, the film leans into the story’s more mysterious elements. That mystery remains the most exciting part of the story, particularly surrounding who the real heroes or villains are. The performances are engaging enough until the film pivots. Once facts and story elements are revealed, the film teeters into a realm of predictability. When that happens, audiences will start to feel the pace, which could become a serious issue for some viewers. If you’re willing to go along with the craziness of the performances, some of those pacing issues can be forgiven.
The Housemaid is an over-the-top and entertaining thriller. The direction and central performances clearly understand the type of movie they want to make. Both Amanda Seyfried and Brenden Sklenar are captivating in these roles, balancing both menace and humor. They’re engaging performances that play well against Sydney Sweeney’s Millie’s wide-eyed innocence. Even when the film falls into a predictable narrative, there’s still plenty of fun to be had. Being released at this time of year in the heat of Oscar season, I honestly couldn’t have asked for anything better.
In theaters December 19th, 2025.
For more information, head to the official Lionsgate The Housemaid website.
Final Score: 3.5 out of 5.
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Categories: In Theaters, Reviews
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