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Mmmm Sydney Sweeney. Let’s face it, that’s the only reason anyone will watch The Housemaid. It was my only reason to watch it, I mean, it’s not like I was in a hurry for a new Paul Feig movie.
The Housemaid stars Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried, Bandon Sklenar, Indiana Elle, Michele Morrone, and Elizabeth Perkins. Paul Feig directs, with Rebecca Sonnenshine writing the screenplay, based on the book by Freida McFadden.
All of the images for this movie will not be from the movie, but just photos of Sweeney, because I’m as shallow as you are.
The Story
I went into The Housemaid blind; I missed the trailer, so I just sat down to watch it. The official story is:
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.
Millie (Sweeney) needs a job and goes for an interview with Nina (Seyfried), and it all seems to go well. However, it turns out that Nina is crazier than a feminist at a Mr Universe contest. As time goes on, the craziness gets worse and worse, to the point of breaking.
If you don’t know the story, I will say it’s good. When I thought the movie was drawing to a close, it was only about halfway through, and the second half and third act goes nuts. I want to keep this review as spoiler-free as possible, because that’s how I watched, and I ended up enjoying it.
The Cast
Sweeney is an anomaly. On the one hand, she’s not the greatest actress in the world, and she’s kind of normal-looking. I mean, she’s definitely not ugly, but she’s not traditional “supermodel” stunning either. She’s like the kinda-hot neighbour that lives down the road; you definitely notice her.
In The Housemaid, she is very good. She holds her own. *insert joke about ‘holding mine’*
Millie gets stuck in a situation where Nina seems to be out to destroy her life, but she cannot just leave (without spoiling the story for you).
Seyfried, on the other hand, is having a ball of a time as Fruitier than a Fruit Cake, Nina. The first half of the movie gives an account of what is going on, but then it opens up into something much deeper. Again, I don’t want to spoil things, but I found myself intrigued.
Again, I like to think I know you Outposters, and I know what question is hovering in some of your minds: Are there boobs? Yes, there are. Sweeney does have a body that could make a gay man straight.
There are a couple of scenes with nudity, and I will say, I was a little jealous of Sklenar. If I were in his pants, I mean shoes, I would have asked for certain scenes to be filmed again, over and over, until I would have walked like I had rickets.
Woke, But Old School
I don’t want to spoil The Housemaid, but I know some of you will watch it and say how “woke” it is, because of how the story plays out. However, I will say that there are many, many movies like this from pre-2020. In fact, I would say most horror movies have the same ‘story line’, and no one ever calls them woke.
It’s hard to put without spoiling things, but I just think it goes back to an old school story and makes a good thriller. If you’re going to go into it, expecting woke, that’s your own lookout. I’ve always said I try to watch things with an open mind, and every now and then I’m pleasantly surprised.
Overall
The Housemaid isn’t an original story, but it’s an original take. I’m not a huge fan of standard thrillers, but when it’s as well-written as this, it’s great. The story is well constructed, and it kept me guessing. I know I’m not the sharpest tool in the toolbox, but I found myself getting drawn in.
Now I think about the first act, I see how clues are set up as to how the story will pan out. I might need to watch it again, just to notice how clever it actually was. I’m not a fan of Feig; I still haven’t forgiven him after Ghostbusters 2016, and all the crap he spouted trying to convince us it was a good movie.
However, credit where credit is due, this movie is well directed, and he gets the best out of his actors. In the third act, it all builds to a head, and man alive, it explodes like a Snyder fan when you say his Justice League wasn’t very good.
While I was looking the movie up, I found there are a number of books about The Housemaid. The final scene in the movie sets up another one, but this was really stupid. Everything that happened in this movie was a product of chance and Millie ‘somehow’ making it to the end. The final scene seems to make out she’s now a superhero, ready for another fight.
I really enjoyed The Housemaid; it was a good thriller and had me guessing all the way through. I’m giving it a solid 3.5 out of 5.
The Housemaid is now on VoD.
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