The Housemaid
★★ 1/2
The most unbelievable part of The Housemaid is that Sydney Sweeney knows how to bake a quiche. Now, that’s acting!
Although I feel like director Paul Feig’s stock has fallen quite a bit since peaking with Bridesmaids, he’s carved out an interesting lane for himself with black comedy thrillers centered around complicated female relationships. You can’t help but think of A Simple Favor while watching The Housemaid.
My wife went to the theater with one of her friends when this was released, and when it recently popped up on HBO Max, she urged me to give it a watch. The Housemaid wasn’t necessarily the most talked-about film of 2025, but it certainly seemed to keep coming up in conversation despite receiving so-so reviews.
After watching it, I understand why. The film takes some turns I genuinely wasn’t expecting. Despite a plot that isn't particularly original, it has some interesting things to say about gender dynamics in today’s society. The execution doesn't always work, but I appreciated the attempt, even if the story takes its sweet time getting there.
The Housemaid is the kind of film built around its actors and their ability to showcase their range. Their performances ultimately determine how much you buy into the story. Amanda Seyfried clearly knows exactly what kind of movie she's in, and she taps into a memorable performance. Brandon Sklenar leans into every bit of his natural charm to create a character that you won’t soon forget, though not the most rooted in reality.
As for Sydney Sweeney, I'm still not entirely sold on her as an actress. I never think she's truly horrible, but I rarely think she's particularly great, either. And that's the issue. It's not that I don't believe her character exists in this world. It's that I never really empathize with her or care all that much about what happens to her. I think she's miscast in this role, although I also understand that she's probably the biggest draw for many people watching the film. She goes through the motions, and unfortunately, the story tends to drag right along with her.
This film would have benefited tremendously from a shorter runtime. The first act takes far too long to establish itself, and about an hour in, I was genuinely questioning whether I wanted to keep watching. But then something shifts, and suddenly the movie had me in its grasp. Unfortunately, that grip slowly begins to loosen as the film struggles to figure out how to wrap everything up. By the end, things get a bit clunky, but I have to admit I was entertained.
Throughout the story, it's clear that The Housemaid wants to explore class and gender dynamics. With this particular genre, you expect things to be a little heavy-handed, but the film never quite strikes the right balance. It doesn't seem to know how far it wants to lean into satire or horror, and I think it would have been more successful had it committed more fully to one direction rather than trying to be all things to everyone.
Still, there's something to be said for a movie that makes you immediately want to talk about it afterward. The Housemaid attempts to bring a different perspective to the traditional love triangle, using its characters to explore larger conversations about gender, class and power. But when the film tries to turn a situation where no one truly wins into some sort of meaningful social commentary, it doesn't quite earn the conversation it's trying to have.
Despite its faults, The Housemaid manages to give us something to talk about anyway. And in an era when so many movies come and go without leaving much of an impression, I appreciate a film that can at least spark a conversation, even if I'm not entirely convinced it succeeds at everything it's trying to accomplish.
