This Housemaid movie review covers Paul Feig’s 2025 psychological thriller. Sydney Sweeney plays a woman on parole who takes a live-in job with a wealthy Long Island family, and Amanda Seyfried plays her unpredictable employer. Freida McFadden’s bestselling 2022 novel inspired the film, and it earned close to $400 million worldwide on a $35 million budget.
Box office numbers don’t tell you whether you’ll enjoy a film, though. Critics came across cooler than audiences, and viewers argued over the twists and over Sweeney’s performance. This guide gives you the verdict first, then what works, what doesn’t and who should watch. The review stays spoiler-free until one clearly marked section.
Are you trying to decide if The Housemaid deserves your movie night? Did you read the book and wonder if the film is worth your time? Or do you just want to know why people keep arguing about it? This guide walks you through the film step by step, so you can decide before you press play.
Want more film verdicts before you choose? Read our Wuthering Heights movie review, our Michael movie review or our Plugged In movie review.
Housemaid Movie Review: Quick Verdict
Yes, watch it if you enjoy glossy, pulpy thrillers with big twists and a scene-stealing Amanda Seyfried. Skip it if you want a tightly plotted mystery that keeps you guessing to the end.
The scores back this up. As of September 2026, Rotten Tomatoes shows roughly 73–74% positive critic reviews against a 92% audience score. IMDb sits around 6.7–6.8 out of 10, and CinemaScore gave it a B. Audiences liked it more than critics did, which usually points to a crowd-pleaser rather than a masterpiece. These numbers change, so check the live pages for current figures.
Watch it if you:
- like twisty, melodramatic thrillers in the Gone Girl and A Simple Favor style
- want a date-night or group movie that gives you plenty to discuss afterward
- enjoyed the novel and want to see how the film adapts it
Skip it if you:
- want a subtle, slow-burn psychological drama
- dislike predictable plot turns
- avoid sexual content, since the film carries an R rating
The Housemaid at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Film | The Housemaid |
| Director | Paul Feig |
| Screenplay | Rebecca Sonnenshine |
| Based on | The Housemaid by Freida McFadden (2022) |
| Main cast | Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried, Brandon Sklenar, Michele Morrone |
| Genre | Psychological thriller |
| Setting | A mansion on Long Island, New York |
| Rating | R |
Searched for a different Housemaid? Several films share the title. A 2010 South Korean film by Im Sang-soo reimagines Kim Ki-young’s 1960 classic, and a separate 2016 horror film uses the same name. This Housemaid movie review covers only the 2025 Paul Feig film. You can find the full credits on its Wikipedia page.
Housemaid Movie Review: What Works
Amanda Seyfried’s Performance
Reviewers praise Seyfried more than anything else in the film. Critics across outlets call her the strongest source of energy, even when they disagree about the rest. Her performance is big and erratic, and it keeps the early scenes interesting while the plot sets things up.
A Pulpy, Glossy Tone
The film knows what it wants to be. It offers a spotless mansion, sharp outfits and tense domestic scenes. Some critics called it overcooked, but many treated that as part of the fun. Feig moved from comedies like Bridesmaids into thrillers with A Simple Favor, and this film continues that shift.
A Stronger Final Third
Several reviewers say the film improves late on. Roger Ebert’s site noted that it gets better in the last third, once Sweeney comes into her own. Another critic felt it earns its long running time and lands its ending, despite a slight wobble. If you stay patient through the setup, the payoff is where many viewers felt the film comes alive.
Housemaid Movie Review: What Doesn’t Work
A Slow First Half
The opening stretch plays more like a straight drama than a thriller. Some IMDb viewers said it dragged before the tension picked up. If you expect twists from the first minute, this can test your patience.
Twists You May See Coming
The film wants to surprise you, but some reviewers guessed the turns early. One reviewer felt the mystery never fully surprised them despite the heavy foreshadowing. If you read the novel or watch many similar thrillers, you may stay a step ahead of the story.
Thin Supporting Characters
Reviewers called Brandon Sklenar’s character bland, and they felt other roles, such as the daughter and Enzo, had little to do. Sweeney’s performance also divided opinion. Some saw a passive lead, while others found a solid anchor. The film leans heavily on Seyfried to supply the drama.
Housemaid Movie vs Book: How Faithful Is It?
If you read Freida McFadden’s novel, the film will feel familiar. Reviewers call the adaptation very close to the book, and some describe it as nearly beat-for-beat. The structure carries over too. The story flips to a different point of view midway through, and that is where the biggest surprise comes from.
The differences sit mostly in the final stretch. Variety reported that the film changes the book’s ending, so book readers may not get the finale they expect. Other reviewers said the movie leans harder into setting up a sequel.
Do you need to read the book first? No. The film works as a standalone story. If you already read the novel, expect fewer surprises, which is also why some book readers found the twists predictable.
Spoiler Section: Does the Twist Hold Up?
Warning: full spoilers for The Housemaid below. Skip to “Where to Watch” if you haven’t seen it.
The central trick is that Nina isn’t who she seems. For the first half, she looks unstable, controlling and cruel, while Andrew looks like the kind, patient husband. The reveal reverses that. Nina’s behavior was largely an act. Andrew is the abuser, and Nina hired Millie on purpose. She bet that Andrew would fall for Millie and that Millie’s past would matter.
Does it hold up? Partly. The reversal works when it lands, and it makes the second half move faster than the first. Critics split on the setup, though. Some saw through the “crazy wife” misdirection, and others felt the film over-explains itself once the truth comes out. It is a fun twist rather than a clever one.
The ending frees Nina from Andrew and sets Millie up for a new job, which is a clear sequel hook. Recaps describe the final confrontation differently, so rewatch the finale if the exact details matter to you.
Where to Watch the Housemaid Movie and What’s Next
Streaming. The film reached digital platforms on February 3, 2026, as Forbes reported. Its subscription run began on Starz, and Prime Video should follow under Lionsgate’s deal with Amazon. Availability differs by country and changes often, so check a live tracker such as JustWatch for your region. (Needs verification at publish time.)
The sequel. The Housemaid’s Secret adapts McFadden’s second novel, and Lionsgate dates it for December 17, 2027. Paul Feig returns to direct. Sydney Sweeney comes back as Millie, Michele Morrone returns as Enzo, and Kirsten Dunst joins the cast. The Winchesters don’t appear in the second novel, and Lionsgate hasn’t announced a return for Amanda Seyfried or Brandon Sklenar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Housemaid based on a true story?
No. It is a work of fiction that adapts Freida McFadden’s 2022 novel.
Is it a horror movie?
Not really. It is a psychological thriller with dark, uncomfortable moments. It deals with abuse, confinement and violence, so it may not suit viewers who find those themes upsetting.
Can teenagers or kids watch it?
No. The R rating covers mature content, including sexual content and violence, so it isn’t a family movie.
Is it similar to Gone Girl?
Critics made that comparison because of the twisty, gender-charged setup. Most agreed that it feels lighter and campier than David Fincher’s film, and that Feig’s direction is less sharp.
In what order should I read the books?
Start with The Housemaid, then read The Housemaid’s Secret. McFadden also wrote a third novel, The Housemaid Is Watching, which Lionsgate may adapt later.
Housemaid Movie Review: Final Thoughts
If you couldn’t decide whether to press play, here is the practical answer. The Housemaid is a stylish, pulpy thriller that Amanda Seyfried carries. A slow start and predictable twists hold it back for some viewers. It suits an easy evening and a good post-movie debate more than a serious mystery.
Now you know what to expect, where to watch it and whether the book deserves your time first. If the setup interests you, give it a try. If you hate predictable twists, you can skip it and miss very little.
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