By Matija Šerić
The holiday season we are currently in is an ideal time for rest, relaxation, and entertainment. A significant part of one’s free time can also be filled with quality films. One of the standout movies currently showing in cinemas worldwide is The Housemaid. Advertisements for the film can be seen almost everywhere in the media. Although many hyped Hollywood blockbusters end up being major disappointments, it can be stated that this is not the case here. This film is a hit and definitely worth watching.
From literary bestseller to cinematic success
The Housemaid belongs to the genre of psychological–erotic thrillers, but also horror (due to numerous horror scenes in the second half of the story). The film is in fact an adaptation of the 2022 novel of the same name written by the American author and physician Freida McFadden. The book became a global bestseller and was fully deserving of being transferred to the big screen. It can be concluded that McFadden herself is most responsible for the film’s success, as she created an original thriller–horror story that simply needed to be faithfully adapted for cinema audiences. Renowned director Paul Feig assembled a strong cast, which succeeded in doing exactly that. The main protagonists deserve special mention: Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried, and Brandon Sklenar. The entire film revolves around this “cursed” trio.
A young woman searching for a better life
The undisputed main character is Millie Calloway (Sydney Sweeney), who, after being released from a long prison sentence, desperately searches for a job. As a high school student, she was convicted of a criminal offense and is now trying to start over. She must find employment because she has been released on early parole; otherwise, she faces a return to prison. In addition to this work imperative, Millie is in an unenviable position because she has no home of her own. She sleeps in her car, and her hygiene needs (including showering and everything else) are taken care of in shabby cafés and shelters. For this reason, she seeks work as a housemaid, servant, or nanny, so that her workplace would also serve as her place of residence. A major obstacle, of course, is her criminal record and time spent in prison.
Movie trailer
A sudden “win in the lottery”
However, fortune suddenly smiles on her when Nina Winchester offers her a job as a maid in her spacious house. The Winchester family is a wealthy and respected household on Long Island. Nina needs a maid because she has difficulty dealing with her daughter Cece, and she is also expecting another daughter with her husband Andrew Winchester (Brandon Sklenar). The only negative impression at the beginning is the room reserved for Millie, which is located in the attic of the house. In addition, the only window in the room cannot be opened, and the door locks from the outside.
A lifeline that isn’t one
Although at first glance it seems that Millie has struck gold, it soon turns out that the image of a perfect family was merely a mask hiding a harsh reality. Millie quickly learns that Andrew and Cece had no idea Nina had hired her. However, they do not cause her problems—Nina does. We see that Nina is a psychologically ill woman showing signs of schizophrenia, depression, and personality disorders. This is confirmed when Millie discovers piles of pills that Nina consumes daily. Nina begins to accuse Millie of everything and anything, placing her in ambiguous situations to put her in an uncomfortable position. What follows is a dynamic and exciting storyline full of twists, turns, reversals, and unexpected situations that we will not reveal here to avoid spoilers.
A blend of tension and humor
The Housemaid is an exceptionally high-quality film. The plot is highly suspenseful. Almost any thriller fan who has not previously read the book will enjoy two hours of gripping entertainment. Constant tension, ambiguity, unpredictability, and action exude a true thriller vibe, while the horror scenes add an extra dose of excitement that is not for the faint of heart. At the same time, not everything is dark—the film contains elements of humor from beginning to end, sometimes more pronounced, sometimes less. Some might call it black humor, but that would perhaps be going too far. The subject matter of the film is unquestionably serious.
Sweeney’s sexy appearance front and center
The cast delivered an excellent performance. Sweeney, in particular, shines, as almost the entire narrative is focused on her. She appears in over 80 percent of the scenes. She convincingly portrays both the “educated” and refined lady and the ruthless young woman shaped by a prison environment. One could criticize director Feig for an excess of erotic or hyper-sexualized nude scenes that were not strictly necessary, but given that he had Sweeney—one of the most attractive actresses of today—at his disposal, it is hard to blame him for making maximum use of her appearance. In addition to Millie’s perspective, the narrative is also told through Nina’s point of view.
Production perfection
Lionsgate did an excellent job with the production. Filming locations were in the state of New Jersey. The interiors (the luxurious and well-decorated house, restaurants, hotels, etc.) and the mostly winter exteriors are very pleasing to the eye. It is clear that the film was strategically released in December. The musical score is another element worthy of praise. The story is accompanied by hits such as Why Is She Still Here? (Reneé Rapp), Cinnamon Girl (Lana Del Rey), Since U Been Gone (Kelly Clarkson), and I Did Something Bad (Taylor Swift).
A positive box-office balance
The production budget amounted to $35 million, but profits have already doubled that figure. On its first day of release in the United States, the film earned $8 million. By the end of December, it had grossed over $77 million worldwide. It will earn even more, as it began screening in the U.S. on December 19, with similar release dates in other countries.
An outstanding dose of creativity
We live in times when it is difficult to make top-tier films because everything seems to have been seen before—virtually all life themes have been explored countless times. However, The Housemaid radiates creativity, even though the theme of maids and nannies is nothing new. The film brings a fresh creative note to this cinematic subgenre. Although some plot twists may be anticipated by the audience, they are hard to predict precisely, especially the well-hidden secrets in the background.
The film’s message – money does not bring happiness
This blockbuster encourages reflection and questioning of reality. Although the Winchester family appears to live life to the fullest, enjoying a perfect existence of abundance and happiness, beneath the surface lie many dark secrets, and the family is essentially unhappy. Much of what happens behind the walls of their villa falls into illicit activities. The film’s message could be summarized as follows: one should never envy another person’s life, and money does not bring happiness. There is no perfect life, nor a perfect family. Everyone has their own problems—some bigger, some smaller. Although the Winchesters are wealthy, their daily lives are devoid of happiness, pleasure, and fulfillment. They live unhappy lives and lack what they truly desire—neither the father, nor the mother, nor the daughter has it. The Housemaid should be interpreted as a warning that materialism is harmful and that happiness is made up of things that cannot be bought.
