A struggling young woman is relieved by the chance for a fresh start as a maid for a wealthy couple. Soon, she discovers that the family's secrets are far more dangerous than her own.
Posted: February 17, 2026
I recently watched The Housemaid, the film adaptation of the novel by Freida McFadden. Since I haven’t read the book, I can’t compare the two, but as a standalone thriller, I found it surprisingly entertaining. After watching the trailer, my first thought was that it looked very similar to The Hand That Rocks the Cradle. Because I enjoyed that film, I figured this one was worth a shot. The early ratings were solid, and I was already familiar with much of the cast, which made it an easy choice. While the premise does share some similarities with that earlier thriller, The Housemaid ultimately carves out its own identity – and in my opinion, ends up being the more engaging of the two. I’m also a huge fan of Lionsgate Films as they typically don’t disappoint.
The story centers on Millie, played by Sydney Sweeney, a young woman struggling to rebuild her life after being released on parole. Desperate for steady work and a fresh start, she accepts a live-in housemaid position with the Winchester family. On the surface, the job seems ideal – steady pay, a roof over her head, and a chance to move forward. However, it quickly becomes clear that the Winchester household is anything but stable.
The mother, Nina Winchester, portrayed by Amanda Seyfried, displays erratic behavior almost immediately. She accuses Millie of throwing away important PTA notes needed for a speech, something Millie has no memory of doing. Andrew, the husband, played by Brandon Sklenar, steps in to defend Millie and apologizes for Nina’s outbursts. Millie later learns that Nina struggles with serious mental health issues and is on medication, which seems to explain some of her volatility.
As the weeks pass, Nina’s accusations intensify. She continues to blame Millie for various problems, hitting on her husband, and repeatedly threatens to fire her. Andrew positions himself as the calm, supportive presence, reassuring Millie and attempting to smooth things over. The tension escalates further when Nina asks Millie to book a weekend getaway for her and Andrew, only to later explode in anger, claiming she never approved the trip because of a scheduling conflict involving their daughter, Cece. She even threatens to deduct the cost from Millie’s pay. Once again, Andrew intervenes, offering Millie the trip instead. When Millie has no one to accompany her, Andrew offers to join. And from there, the situation spirals in ways that shift the entire dynamic of the story.
Without revealing spoilers, I’ll just say that this is very much a film about deception, manipulation, and the danger of trusting appearances. The tagline could easily be that no one is exactly who they seem.
What stood out most to me were the twists. While I suspected certain developments, I was never entirely sure how everything would unfold. The film is labeled as a thriller/drama, but I would argue it leans heavily into the thriller category, with moments that border on horror. The suspense builds steadily, and just when you think you’ve figured things out, the narrative pivots.
Performance-wise, the cast delivers across the board. Sydney Sweeney carries much of the film’s emotional weight and makes Millie both sympathetic and complex. Amanda Seyfried fully commits to Nina’s instability, keeping you constantly guessing about her true motivations. Brandon Sklenar plays his role convincingly as well, balancing charm and ambiguity in a way that keeps the tension alive. The only character I didn’t particularly care for was the daughter, Cece. Not because of the acting, which was perfectly fine, but because of how the character was written. She felt unnecessarily sinister at times, which slightly distracted from the reality of what was going on.
As strong as the story is, I do think the ending slightly undercuts what could have been a near-perfect finish. In my opinion, the film should have ended about five minutes earlier. The final scene wasn’t terrible, but it felt unnecessary and a bit too “over-the-top”. It almost seemed like a setup for a potential sequel, which I don’t believe the story needs.
That minor criticism aside, I would absolutely recommend The Housemaid to anyone looking for a gripping thriller. While it shares similarities with other films in the genre, the direction, performances, score, and layered plot help it stand out. It offers plenty of tension, intrigue, and unexpected turns without relying on cheap shock value. If you’re in the mood for a suspenseful watch that keeps you guessing, this one is definitely worth checking out.
Overall Verdict: The Housemaid has plenty to offer for both men and women and you'll see why after you watch it. Give it a chance and I'm sure you won't be disappointed with this film.
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