Movie Review: The Housemaid

It has been two hours since I left the cinema to go and see The Housemaid. Now if you have read the 2022 novel, written by Frieda McFadden or not, from my own impression it is a must. For all my girls who love to feel empowered and watch a thriller at the same time then duh why are not sat there on front row seats? If you want to have a nosy at what this avid thriller and reader thinks about The Housemaid keep reading on!

The Housemaid was released just before Christmas on December 22 and is directed by Paul Feig who has previously created A Simple Favour. Which is all the more reason why I enjoyed this film upon reflection. The plot focuses on Millie Calloway, played by Sydney Sweeney. The young woman is trying to get away from her past and takes up a job to become a housemaid for a wealthy family called the Winchesters. Living in their attic in their glamorous mansion and everything handed on a plate it all seems exquisite. Over time she unravels dark secrets, living on the edge, despite it all looking perfect on the outside. The families true identities start to show as she comes face to face with manipulative husband, Andrew Winchester, played by Brandon Sklenar and flimsy wife, Nina Winchester, played by Amanda Seyfried. 

One character I loved the most which was unexpected was Nina. I loved Nina. I thought she was presented so much better on screen than the book. I thought she was brilliant and empowering. Even though her storyline can feel dodgy as a first time watcher I would be thinking: she has thrown her under the bus to help herself, but she pulls through at the end to come back and help Millie. Which gave a sense of womanhood and girl power. She put on a good show convincing everyone she was crazy when she had to be in order to escape. As a viewer that hadn’t read the book I don't think it was easy to guess what was to come and that it was all a facade. Choosing Amanda Seyfried was a good choice. At first seeing the cast I didn't expect such a strong role to come from her within the storyline but she presented her exactly in the book and I would say even better. Some reviews have said that Nina wasn't psychotic enough and I felt that she was presented the most right and realistic way. I felt she didn't need to do more as it would take away the reality even though it was all a lie. 

Sydney Sweeney being cast as Millie was another cast shock. Since watching the film, I didn't hate the idea fully that she was played by Millie but I didn't feel like Sydney Sweeney gave enough emotion to who she was playing. As a Euphoria fan I think I expected more than what was delivered. As the movie progressed I felt she almost came out of her shell with her darker side which tied it all together.  

The setting was not what I expected. This reaction wasn't good or bad. I find a lot of the time my vision of houses nine times out of ten are always so far from what I envision. I expected it to be a more lavish mansion, I wasn't particularly wowed but a part of me thinks my expectations obviously were too high when picturing it all. The attic room that Millie is given was way fancier than I expected. It was portrayed in the book as unpleasant and rundown. As the plot changed there was a shift where the room wasn't as nicely furnished and more plain and simple which gave a more accurate view of what was expected. The snowy setting was fun as it suited the time of year through the winter season. It was on theme for the time it was released. 

When the plot switched to a new storyline it focused on Nina's story of becoming Andrew's wife. This was smooth and gave background context to information you didn't know you needed for the rest of the film. This transition made going back to the past logically done. This also included a voice over of the telling of the past and when she writes a letter for her daughter. It reminded me of Gone Girl and if it worked for that film it certainly worked for this one. 

Domestic violence is a theme intertwined in this film and can be a hard subject to portray on screen and also write about. It can be gritty and this film did give that angle to the idea of abuse but also felt it gave a sense of accomplishment that male dominance is not always power and it can be taken back. I thought it was shown elegantly and still had all the important messages across within their speeches. Even though it is a dark story there were hints of laughter in the cinema. Playing on a man's emotion, snarky comments and jokes that ran throughout the film which brought a side to the plot I didn't expect. Whether it was intentional, it was cleverly done.

One downside for me was the amount of screen time the character, Enzo, played by Michele Morrone. His role was the groundskeeper within the film and helped Nina along the way. His story stayed the same throughout which I thought was important and made sense with the plot. I wish there had been more interactions with him. There wasn't any relationship formed with Millie and no involvement in the final scenes which in the book there was. I think if there was to be future films it would've been important to have him present within the first film because in the book series he is a large part of Millie's life. 

From a bookish side there were parts of the story that weren’t included. I wouldn't dwell on this too much as it always happens with most books to films. It is never going to be quite the same. But if you hadn't read the book I don't think you would expect the dark side of Andrew and the twists as there were no hints within his behavior. He was consistent up until the end. From reading the books you always notice things the average watcher wouldn't and Nina's recklessness of not keeping her makeup and hair maintained was one of them. Knowing from the books that this was a vital point within the storyline it made it exciting to watch and give you the light bulb moment as the plot thickens as to why she is the way she is. 

Towards the end it shifted to a scene with Millie being introduced to a new employer despite being given a hundred thousand dollars she carries on working as a housemaid. It all made sense as the wife interviewing her had a bruised arm hinting at another domestic violence household situation. This gave hope that there could be another film linking to the second in the book series The Housemaids Secret. When the credits rolled, “I Did Something Bad" by Taylor Swift played. It made it for me. Even as a non Taylor fan I thought it added just abit of something. 

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed The Housemaid. I was worried it was going to ruin my love for the story but it just made me love the series even more. I hope there will be more to come. 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐