.By Lynn Venhaus
Good trashy fun, “The Housemaid” is a psychological domestic thriller with a dash of dark comedy that is ideal alternative programming this holiday season when all the prestige awards-hopefuls are released.
Millie (Sydney Sweeney), a plucky young woman with a secret criminal past, takes a live-in job as a housekeeper for the wealthy Winchester family – high-maintenance wife Nina (Amanda Seyfried) and handsome husband Andrew (Brandon Sklenar). While they look perfect, her new employers have secrets of their own.
None of the three stars – currently having moments – will be on year-end awards shortlists for their performances, yet they lean in and act with an intensity that merits them serious kudos for their earnest approach to over-the-top melodrama.
Let the mind games begin! As Nina, the suburban princess living luxuriously, Seyfried can fly into Defcon 5 rage with a frightening ferocity and assuredly drives this effort.
Knowing what’s at stake is her forte here. To watch her alternate wild histrionics with an icy-cold façade as a Real Housewife archetype is amusing.
Sweeney’s star has risen ever since “Euphoria” shook up streaming and may tie with Josh O’Connor for having the most movies released this year, even besting Pedro Pascal. She plays forlorn Millie just-right with a shaggy poor-girl-trying-to-please demeanor and a palpable desperation to escape her past.
Sklenar, who was swoon-worthy as the rugged hero Spencer Dutton in Taylor Sheridan’s “Yellowstone” prequel “1923,” is in yet another handsome, chiseled guy role. This time, he’s Andrew, a gracious, well-mannered scion of an influential family, flashing his pearly whites often.
It’s a perfect threesome for this type of suburbanites’ unraveling story. For fans of the popular 2022 page-turner by Freida McFadden, you know the delectable unpredictable twists. But for those of us in the dark, the reveals are a surprise – and boost the audience-participation feel of the film.
Smartly directed by Paul Feig, whose comedy pedigree is stellar (“Freaks and Geeks,” “Bridesmaids,” and episodes of “The Office”) and his thriller portfolio is gaining traction after “A Simple Favor,” he is one step ahead of us as we uninitiated try to figure out where these deceptions are leading.
He also strikes the right engrossing tone, mixing suspense, shock and silliness to guarantee gasps and build momentum. The screenplay by Rebecca Sonnenshine, a two-time Emmy nominee as a writer on “The Boys,” draws us into the chills by smoothly weaving backstories in, adding gaslighting and tension in the home.
Elizabeth Jones’ lavish production design is Martha Stewart-worthy in a sprawling, airy McMansion in Great Neck, N.Y. As the live-in housekeeper, Millie’s bedroom is a cozy A-frame attic nook that has a door that locks from the outside.
In shades of Stepford wives, supporting players are stereotypical privileged upper-class women who are condescending of others not in their same social register – and even if they are, finding ways to be critical. Millie overhears the local elitist moms gossiping about Nina, which is unexpected, as are other remarks by ‘the help’ in the community.
Those are interesting nuggets that illuminate what’s happening – or not – but it keeps us guessing as the plot thickens. The dialogue is often cheesy, but that’s part of the fun, too. This material is far from Tolstoy or Chekhov – it’s “Dynasty” glammed up for the 21st century.
It’s best to know as little as possible going into the movie, so no spoilers here.
Elizabeth Perkins has a few defining moments as Andrew’s snobby mother Evelyn Winchester, dismissive of her daughter-in-law and demanding in snide ways. After all, she’s more concerned with appearances than anything else.
Young actress Indiana Elle is the Winchester’s snotty, indulged daughter Cecelia “CeCe,” whose sense of entitlement shows signs of creating a monster, but whose actions later indicate she’s been paying attention. It would have been nice to have more character development in that regard.
Michele Morrone, who played Emily’s fiancé Dante in Feig’s “Another Simple Favor,” is well-cast as mysterious handyman Enzo, but sadly, it’s an underdeveloped character.
“The Housemaid” is nothing more than a pulpy “popcorn” thriller, well-suited as escapist fare, especially during a dreary winter and in a disconcerting world. It’s a film that knows exactly what its mission is, and how it fits into the entertainment landscape.
“The Housemaid” is a 2025 psychological thriller directed by Paul Feig and starring Amanda Seyfried, Sydney Sweeney, Brandon Sklenar, Elizabeth Perkins, Michele Morrone and Indiana Elle, Its runtime is 2 hours, 11 minutes, and it’s rated R for strong/bloody violent content, sexual assault, sexual content, nudity and language. It opens in theaters Dec. 19. Lynn’s Grade: B.
Lynn (Zipfel) Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. She writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to St. Louis magazine and other publications.
She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic, currently reviews films for Webster-Kirkwood Times and KTRS Radio, covers entertainment for PopLifeSTL.com and co-hosts podcast PopLifeSTL.com…Presents.
She is a member of Critics Choice Association, where she serves on the women’s and marketing committees; Alliance of Women Film Journalists; and on the board of the St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding and board member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
She is retired from teaching journalism/media as an adjunct college instructor.
