By Maddy Privasky

The new film The Housemaid, based on Frieda McFadden’s bestselling novel, arrived with a viral disclaimer: no boyfriends, no husbands, no men. The internet’s reasoning was unanimous: Sydney Sweeney.

Feig, Seyfried, Sweeney, and Sklenar at The Housemaid Los Angeles premiere.

Directed by Paul Feig and released on December 19, The Housemaid has quickly become one of the most talked-about thrillers, making it feel like the perfect movie to release at the end of 2025. Dramatic and endlessly unsettling, the film not only entertains but also lingers. The Housemaid is the kind of movie that demands discussion the moment the credits roll.

I first saw The Housemaid with my mom, Middle School math teacher Pam Privasky, thrilled and curious to see what all the hype was about. The second viewing was with my friends. I already knew the major plot points but was eager to catch all of the details I had missed the first time around. Surprisingly, knowing what was coming did not dull the experience at all. If anything, it made it sharper. The tension felt more intense because I knew when something was about to happen. I was able to watch the parts I had originally hidden from while curled up with my head in my knees, too scared to see what would happen next. Even on rewatch, the atmosphere remained suffocating and the suspense relentless. As Clare Aman (‘26) phrased it, she was constantly “on the edge of my seat, not ever fully knowing where the story was going to take me, making the suspense even more exciting.”

Behind the scenes on set with Sweeney.

The Housemaid follows Millie, played by Sweeney, a young woman desperate for a clean slate. When she accepts a live-in housemaid position for the wealthy Winchester family, the job seems like the perfect fresh start. However, perfection quickly cracks. Locked doors, peculiar rules, and alarming behaviors emerge, transforming what felt like a great opportunity into something far more sinister. At the center of it all is Nina Winchester, portrayed by Amanda Seyfried, a woman whose unpredictability fuels much of the film’s unease. 

Sweeney delivers one of her most compelling performances to date. Known for emotionally intense roles in Anyone But You, Euphoria, and The White Lotus, Sweeney brings a raw vulnerability to Millie that makes her impossible not to root for. Her fear feels real, and her confusion feels earned. Millie is not just a victim but a character the audience emotionally invests in. Sloan Sullivan (‘26) praised the film’s acting, calling it “really good,” and highlighted the movie’s unexpected directions and psychological manipulation that made the movie so effective.

A scene from the film with Seyfried.

Rather than simply matching that intensity, many viewers felt Seyfried’s performance was even stronger, delivering a portrayal that is both mesmerizing and off-putting. As Nina, she is manipulative and impossible to predict. Seyfried switches between charm and menace effortlessly, sometimes within the same scene, keeping viewers constantly anxious. Monica Castillo, contributor to RogerEbert.com, writes that, “She puts on every half-cocked mean girl smile, every form of teary-eyed sobs, and unblinking rage with vicious ease.” Her portrayal makes it impossible to tell whether Nina is a victim, a villain, or something far more complex. While Seyfried is known for roles in Mamma Mia!, Dear John, and Letters to Juliet, The Housemaid allows her to showcase an ominous, more unnerving rage. Riley Savedge (‘26) echoed this sentiment, noting that the cast “all did an amazing job, especially Amanda Seyfried.” Rhodes Neuner (‘26) added that Nina’s intelligence is one of her most compelling traits, noting that “she is always thinking several steps ahead.” He pointed to the lightbulb scene at the end as evidence of her careful planning, explaining that Nina is deliberate and strategic. 

Behind the scenes with Sklenar, Sweeney, and Seyfried.

Brandon Sklenar, who plays Andrew Winchester, adds another intriguing layer to the story. Though newer to some audiences, Sklenar has gained attention for his roles as Spencer Dutton in 1923 and as Atlas Corrigan in It Ends With Us. Andrew brings a quiet, understated presence that initially feels like a stabilizing force amid the chaos between Millie and Nina. However, that calm quickly becomes distressing. As Anne Clare Fonville (‘26) pointed out, the filmmakers “do this purposefully, where Nina is so crazy that you can’t notice the signs of Andrew being there. If you go back and watch it, he is too perfect.” His subtle charm and ambiguity only deepen the tension inside the Winchester household and make him the most quietly disturbing character.

The soundtrack is arguably one of the film’s secret weapons. Songs like Lana Del Ray’s “Cinnamon Girl,” Jessie Murph’s “Bad as the Rest,” Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone,” and Taylor Swift’s “I Did Something Bad” are strategically placed, amplifying both suspense and emotion. The music does not just accompany the scenes; it drives them. Savedge mentioned that the soundtrack “definitely added to my fear, suspense, and excitement,” especially conveying how “I Did Something Bad” specifically leaves the film on an empowering, unforgettable note. 

The Housemaid is a gripping, conversation-starting thriller that lives up to, and arguably exceeds, its hype. Whether Sweeney or the suspenseful storyline draws you in, this is a movie worth watching, and maybe watching again. 

For those already hooked, there is more to look forward to: The Housemaid’s Secret has officially been announced, with Sweeney confirmed to return. If The Housemaid was the perfect movie release to end 2025, its sequel arrives with sky-high expectations, and I am eagerly anticipating the secrets that will be divulged next.

Featured image credit: Landmark Cinemas.

All other photos courtesy of @housemaidmovie on Instagram.