Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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What Is “The Housemaid” About?
Milly, who is on parole, needs a job, and Nina, despite being a housewife from an upper-class area, filled with gossiping PTA members, decides to hire Milly to cook, clean, and help take care of her daughter. At first, this seems like a good arrangement until Nina slowly but surely removes the façade, which includes her dreamy husband, Andrew.
Cast and Characters
Milly (Sydney Sweeney)
- Check out other productions we’ve covered starring this actor: [Link to Actor’s Tag]
- Character Summary: Fresh from serving a ten-year sentence and trying to survive her next five on parole, Milly is just looking for a stable job and housing, which is hard for people with records like hers. However, she knows how to play up her youth and make a convincing resume, so while being a con-artist isn’t why she went to prison, it seems like a skill she may have learnt in prison.
Nina (Amanda Seyfried)
- Check out other productions we’ve covered starring this actor: [Link to Actor’s Tag]
- Character Summary: A resident of Nassau County, Nina is a housewife who is trying to get pregnant with her second child. With that being a struggle, she hires Milly to help relieve some of the work and the stress of managing a home. Well, at least that is the initial impression.
Andrew (Brandon Sklenar)
- Check out other productions we’ve covered starring this actor: [Link to Actor’s Tag]
- Character Summary: Andrew is shown to be quite the catch. He inherited a company that is doing exceptionally well, he has a nice smile, is charming, and seemingly has all you could ever want in a husband. Well, with the exception of the mother-in-law, who comes with Andrew.
What To Expect In “The Housemaid” (Rated R) – Content Overview
- Dialog:
- Cursing: Occasional
- Graphic Imagery or Violence:
- Domestic Violence: Yes
- Gore/ Blood/ Body Horror: Moderate (Context: Bleeding, Depiction of Open Wounds)
- Notable Violence: Self-Harm, Intense Fight Scenes
- Sexual Content:
- Nudity: Sexual (Context: Backside/Chest)
- Sexual Situations: Implied
- Sexual Violence: Yes
- Miscellaneous:
- Suicide/ Mental Health Themes: Depiction
- Drinking: Yes
Other Noteworthy Information
- Director(s): Paul Feig
- Writer(s): Rebecca Sonnenshine
- Based On Work By: Freida McFadden
- Distributor: Lionsgate
- Runtime: 2 Hour(s) and 11 Minutes
- Public Release Date (In Theaters): December 18, 2025
- Genre(s): Drama, Thriller
- Content Rating: Rated R
- Primary Language: English
- More Information (External Link)
Review and Commentary
Highlight(s)
It’s An Engaging Movie [83/100]
While some of the twists and turns feel like they are made more so for dramatic flair, entertainment purposes, than logic, there is no denying that The Housemaid is an engaging movie. There is a careful unraveling of Milly, Andrew, and Nina, as characters, and it is all done in such a way that may not get anyone an accolade of note, but there is value in watching these vulnerable characters try to live up to the lies they tell themselves and each other.
But, of course, the fun part is when they can no longer live up to their reputation, or how they want to be seen, and things quickly, dramatically, often with blood, unravel. Making it so, you truly understand why Milly was hired, how crazy Nina really is, and, when it comes to Andrew, is he really the long-suffering husband, prince charming, or is his perfection as much of an act as Milly’s?
On The Fence
It Ends Promising More [77/100]
After a certain point, it becomes clear there is only one way this movie will likely end, especially in 2025. You come to accept this, but what you may struggle with is how things get swept under the rug and then the promise that the story will continue.
Now, I’m not saying The Housemaid may not be a hit that ends up with a sequel. However, I feel like what happens in this movie was good enough for one outing. Anything beyond that would mean stretching the luck of the characters who make it to the end, and honestly, by that point, you’re ready to move on from their story.
Overall
Our Rating (80/100): Positive (Worth Seeing)
If the end-of-the-year blockbusters aren’t your thing, nor those who are on the road to the Oscars, The Housemaid is for you. It has light thriller elements, a lot of drama, some comedic moments, and even at two hours, it will not bore you one bit.
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