‘That didn’t happen in the book’. It’s the phrase that haunts every book-to-screen adaptation – and The Housemaid practically invites it. Whilst changes are inevitable (and often welcome), Paul Feig’s take had me saying it far more than usual.
Adapted from the 2022 novel of the same name by Freida McFadden, The Housemaid had readers gripped from start to finish. But does Paul Feig’s film have the same appeal? When Millie (Sydney Sweeney) is in desperate need of a job, she becomes a live-in maid at the Winchesters’ mansion. What first appears to be a picture-perfect family and an ideal position slowly unravels into a nightmare as secrets spill and stories twist.
Like most thrillers, The Housemaid begins with a sense of safety as Millie meets Nina Winchester (Amanda Seyfried), who is searching for a live-in maid – a position that would change Millie’s life in more ways than one. But as Millie settles into the role and life with the Winchesters, things begin to go awry, and that initial sense of security quickly erodes. With Millie’s only source of comfort being Nina’s husband, Andrew (Brandon Sklenar), her place in the household becomes increasingly precarious.
For the most part, fans of the book will find the film stays close to the source material, lulling viewers into a false sense of familiarity. That comfort shatters with a single prop change, sending any expectations spiralling out the window. Though subtle nods to the novel’s original twists remain, the film still manages to shock, ensuring that even those who think they know what’s coming are completely unprepared.
This raises the question: is what compels us to turn the page different from what provokes a reaction on screen? While book fans may be tempted to say no, the answer is yes. The film delivers many of the same twists and turns found in the novel, but it ultimately diverges in its dramatic ending. Put simply, the original conclusion would not have provoked the same reaction we witnessed at our screening. The new ending is longer and deeply uncomfortable, creating fresh drama that has you wincing and covering your eyes – making it all the more thrilling to experience with an audience on the big screen.
But, the film would be nowhere near as gripping without the cast’s performances. Brandon Sklenar is a standout, delivering striking character progression over the course of the film. Equally, Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney deliver moments that are both funny and terrifying, creating a campy on-screen spectacle that has audiences squirming one moment and laughing the next.
The biggest loss is the lack of Enzo (Michele Morrone). A character who holds significant importance in the books feels largely underutilised in this big-screen retelling – though this may change if The Housemaid’s Secret comes into fruition.
Ultimately, The Housemaid is a lot of fun. It’s difficult to say too much when everything is under lock and key, but this is a film best experienced with a packed audience on the big screen for maximum laughs and scares. It never takes itself too seriously, which makes for an especially entertaining ride – Paul Feig proves that even when you know the book, the screen can still surprise you.
You can watch the trailer here:
rosie reviews 