Postfeminist Thriller 'The Housemaid' Delivers Diabolical Twists

Director Paul Feig's latest film takes a familiar premise and turns it into a fresh, captivating ride.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 7:35pm

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An abstract, high-contrast close-up photograph of shattered glass reflecting a dim, moody light, conceptually representing the high-stakes, glamorous thriller at the heart of the film The Housemaid.The Housemaid's stylish, over-the-top thrills and twists promise to captivate audiences seeking a fresh take on the domestic suspense genre.Great Neck Today

The Housemaid is a thrilling, over-the-top, yet clever domestic suspense film directed by Paul Feig and based on Freida McFadden's novel. The movie introduces Millie, played by Sydney Sweeney, as a seemingly sweet and eager-to-please live-in housekeeper hired by Nina, played by Amanda Seyfried, a haughty 'Real Housewife of Great Neck' with a dysfunctional backstory. However, the film takes an unexpected turn as the thriller gamesmanship escalates, subverting expectations and delivering diabolical developments.

Why it matters

The Housemaid is a postfeminist pulp thriller that feels like a landmark, inching closer to fantasy than reality, even when set in a seemingly 'real world' setting. It takes a familiar premise and twists it into something fresh and captivating, with stunning performances from Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried driving the thrilling, over-the-top, yet clever ride.

The details

The film introduces Millie as a sweet, eager-to-please candidate for the live-in housekeeper position at Nina's suburban palace. However, as soon as Millie removes her glasses, a grim resolve crosses her face, hinting at a deeper story. Despite this, she lands the job, and the stage is set for a thrilling ride. The twist comes when we discover that Nina, the 'Real Housewife of Great Neck', is the one with the issues - a haughty, efficiency-obsessed woman with a highly dysfunctional backstory. Meanwhile, Andrew, Nina's husband, appears to be the soul of virtue, but he and Millie start to develop a connection, becoming the only two sane adults in the household. The film then takes a turn into 'Fatal Attraction' territory, but the real surprise is that the thriller gamesmanship is only just getting started.

  • The Housemaid was released in theaters on April 12, 2026.

The players

Paul Feig

The director of The Housemaid, known for his comedy work, who brings a unique style to the film, creating a perfect stage for the lead actors to play a duet that keeps on giving.

Sydney Sweeney

The actress who plays Millie, the seemingly sweet and eager-to-please live-in housekeeper, with a hint of not-so-nice layers.

Amanda Seyfried

The actress who plays Nina, the haughty 'Real Housewife of Great Neck' with a highly dysfunctional backstory.

Freida McFadden

The author of the novel on which The Housemaid is based.

Andrew

Nina's husband, who appears to be the soul of virtue but develops a connection with Millie, becoming one of the only two sane adults in the household.

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What’s next

The Housemaid is expected to be a contender during the upcoming awards season, where it will compete with other prestige films for recognition.

The takeaway

The Housemaid is a postfeminist pulp thriller that subverts expectations, delivering a fresh and captivating take on the domestic suspense genre. With its stunning performances, hyperbolic style, and diabolical developments, the film offers a thrilling, over-the-top, yet clever ride that will keep audiences guessing until the end.