Content warning: spoilers ahead
Frieda McFadden’s book The Housemaid (2022) was selected for a movie adaption after going viral on social media. The psychological thriller was released in cinemas on Boxing Day 2025 earning over $300 million globally in one month.
The Housemaid is over 2 hours long with a $35 million initial budget. The box office succuss ensures that it became the first movie starring Sydney Sweeney that didn’t completely flop in years.
Sydney Sweeney stars as homeless Millie who takes a job as a live-in housemaid for a wealthy family. She grows suspicious of her room in the attic as her door has a deadbolt lock on the outside and her windows won’t open.
Amanda Seyfried (Mamma Mia) plays the character Nina Winchester who begins to confuse the audience with her erratic personality and tantrums aimed at Millie. Brandon Sklenar (It Ends With Us) stars as Andrew Winchester. Millie and Andrew have an affair and things unravel pretty quickly afterwards.
Not many people can say the cast aren’t attractive. But aside from the actors, is The Housemaid actually a good movie and is Sydney Sweeney’s acting really that bad?
Image Credit: Brit.co
Fans Complaints
Fans were annoyed that actor Michele Morrone (365 Days) who plays the groundskeeper Enzo didn’t get enough screen time. His character in the book was more involved with Nina and he wasn’t written well into the movie script. His appearances were random and brief.
But most of the movie’s criticism stems from Sydney Sweeney’s acting which can only be described as wooden and lifeless. Her dull accent only accentuates how phenomenal Amanda Seyfried’s acting range is who is praised for the depth of emotion she brings to her character Nina.
Sweeney is notoriously hated on, as her acting lacks the psychological depth necessary for a thriller driven by paranoia and suppressed rage. In tense scenes, Sweeney’s performance appears passive and distant.
However, the criticism cannot be separated from McFadden’s writing style which relies heavily on character monologues. The Housemaid is less about what its characters express, and more about what they conceal. Subsequently, since Millie is hiding her criminal past, Sydney’s acting is somewhat justified.
Foreshadowing
There’s a lot to unpack. A chandelier in the living room appears to have clumps of blonde, human hair hanging from it as tassels. Nina alludes to being clueless about Andrew’s previous partner. Considering Andrew’s personality, it’s implied that the human hair might act as some sort of Dexter style trophy to Andrew from his first fianceé.
Nina also brags about being clumsy implying that she would trip and fall down the stairs at the beginning of the movie, and that she was clumsy enough to end up smashing Andrew’s heirlooms. Fragments of both becoming true.
The dollhouse that Cece Winchester, (Nina’s daughter) plays with is a miniature version of their actual home and shows the viewer Andrew’s plans for Millie ahead of time. This becomes clear as a blonde doll appears in the attic that Millie ends up locked inside of. The dollhouse is symbolic of Andrew’s desire to control everyone inside his house. Andrew insists that: “Hair is a privilege.” This is a vital turning point in the movie. Here, Andrew stands out as the villain and Nina as the misunderstood victim of his manipulation.
Ketchup is symbolic of Cece’s freedom as she appears happy and smiling by the end of the movie for the first time. Cece and Nina are finally free from Andrew’s grasp. As a result, she enjoys her meal without worrying about how “ketchup makes a mess.”
The finale sets up the context for the second movie by showing that Millie gets another job as a housemaid for a woman with an abusive husband. This implies that she will murder another man soon. (Valid).
Image Credit: Lionsgate
The Housemaid’s Playlist
Please Please Please by Sabrina Carpenter matches the vibe of the movie but is only played in in the trailer.
Cinnamon Girl by Lana Del Ray plays during the scene where Millie and Andrew grow closer together, boosting the song on Spotify. Whilst two hotel rooms were initially purchased by Andrew as the pair were too drunk to drive home, it should be advised to avoid seeing the movie with your family. Or your boyfriend.
During the ending credits they blasted I Did Something Bad by Taylor Swift which was definitely a strategic move to give the movie a “feel good vibe to it.” Let’s be honest, all the Swifties gave the movie a good review.
My Opinion
I enjoyed it. Coming from someone who went to see the movie three times, every single girl in the cinema laughed as Andew was yanking his tooth out. And every single girl laughed when he died.
Image Credit: Lionsgate