The Housemaid (2025) Movie Review: Where to Watch Online
In recent years, psychological thrillers have made a strong comeback, especially those centered around domestic spaces, hidden trauma, and dangerous power dynamics. The Housemaid (2025), directed by Paul Feig and based on Freida McFadden’s bestselling novel, arrived with high expectations.
With Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried leading the cast, this film seemed ready to become the next must-watch thriller. On paper, it had everything: mystery, seduction, social class tension, and shocking twists. But does it truly live up to its potential?
After watching The Housemaid, I found myself torn between admiration and disappointment. It’s entertaining, sometimes gripping, often predictable, and ultimately saved by one standout performance.
Let’s dive into this detailed review.
Plot Overview: A Dream Job That Turns Into a Nightmare
The story follows Millie Calloway, a young woman struggling to escape her troubled past. On probation and desperate for stability, she accepts a live-in maid job for a wealthy couple, Nina and Andrew Winchester.
At first, the position feels like a miracle. The house is beautiful. The family is rich. The salary is decent. And Millie finally has a chance to rebuild her life.
But cracks appear quickly.
Nina begins to behave erratically, swinging between warmth and cruelty. Andrew shows an unsettling interest in Millie. Small incidents turn into psychological games. Secrets pile up. Trust evaporates.
What starts as a fresh beginning slowly transforms into a seductive and dangerous battle for control, power, and survival.
Without revealing spoilers, the film relies heavily on shifting perspectives, unreliable characters, and moral ambiguity—elements that work well at times, and fall flat at others.
Performances: Amanda Seyfried Steals the Show
Amanda Seyfried as Nina Winchester
There is no doubt: Amanda Seyfried is the heart and soul of this movie.
Her portrayal of Nina is intense, unpredictable, and emotionally layered. She shifts effortlessly between fragile vulnerability, manipulative charm, and terrifying rage. In several scenes, her performance genuinely sends chills.
Many viewers agree that Seyfried carries the film. Even when the pacing slows down, her presence keeps the story alive. She understands the “artificial” and slightly exaggerated tone that Paul Feig aims for and fully commits to it.
Simply put, without her, this movie would feel significantly weaker.
Sydney Sweeney as Millie Calloway
Sydney Sweeney’s performance is more controversial.
At times, she delivers solid emotional moments and shows real depth. But throughout much of the runtime, she feels restrained, almost distant. Some scenes come across as uneven, as if she’s holding back.
Interestingly, her strongest moments appear in the final act, where she finally lets loose and embraces the darker side of her character. Unfortunately, by then, much of the slow buildup has already tested the viewer’s patience.
Still, she remains watchable, charming, and occasionally powerful—just not consistently.
Brandon Sklenar as Andrew Winchester
Brandon Sklenar plays Andrew as quietly manipulative and emotionally distant. His character feels intentionally bland: nice until he isn’t.
While this fits the story, it also makes him less memorable. His arc lacks the slow-burning menace that could have made him more disturbing.
Direction and Style: Paul Feig’s Unfinished Vision
Paul Feig is best known for comedies like Bridesmaids and Spy, but he has also explored thriller territory with A Simple Favor. With The Housemaid, he clearly tries to balance camp, drama, and suspense.
Sometimes it works.
Sometimes it doesn’t.
A Deliberately Artificial Tone
One of the most interesting aspects of this film is its intentionally “novel-like” and slightly exaggerated style. It doesn’t aim for strict realism. Instead, it leans into melodrama, heightened emotions, and visual symbolism.
This approach will divide audiences.
Some viewers appreciate the stylized storytelling. Others find it awkward and inconsistent.
Cinematography and Visuals
Visually, the film is beautiful.
The mansion setting, lighting, and composition are carefully crafted. Many shots feel polished and cinematic. The use of staircases, white interiors, and wide frames subtly reinforces the story’s themes of control and isolation.
The cinematography is one of the film’s strongest technical aspects.
Pacing Issues: The Biggest Weakness
Unfortunately, pacing is where The Housemaid struggles the most.
The first half feels slow and repetitive. Many scenes circle the same emotional beats without pushing the story forward. The tension takes too long to escalate, and several moments feel unnecessarily stretched.
As a result, the movie feels longer than it actually is.
When the third act finally arrives, things become more exciting. The story gains momentum. The characters make bolder choices. Twists arrive.
But by then, some viewers may already feel exhausted.
The payoff doesn’t fully land because the buildup is too thin and too slow.
Adaptation from the Book: A Missed Opportunity
For readers of Freida McFadden’s novel, this adaptation may feel incomplete.
Several important scenes are missing. Character development is rushed. The psychological tension that made the book so gripping is often skimmed over.
Key relationships—especially between Millie and Andrew—lack the slow-burning malice present in the novel. Nina’s chaotic personality is also toned down in places.
As a result, the film feels like a condensed version of a richer story.
If you haven’t read the book, you’ll probably enjoy the movie more.
Themes: Power, Class, and Modern Gender Dynamics
Beneath its thriller surface, The Housemaid explores deeper themes:
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Social class and economic dependence
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Power imbalance between employer and employee
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Emotional manipulation
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Gender politics in modern thrillers
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Trauma and reinvention
Some viewers noticed how modern cinema increasingly portrays men as abusers or villains in these setups. While not “woke,” the film clearly reflects current cultural trends.
Whether you see this as meaningful commentary or predictable storytelling depends on your perspective.
Entertainment Value: Trashy, Predictable, but Fun
Let’s be honest: The Housemaid is not high art.
Some dialogue is unintentionally funny. Certain twists are easy to predict. A few scenes are borderline cringeworthy.
And yet…
It’s entertaining.
It fits perfectly into the category of “well-produced trashy thrillers”—the kind you watch late at night and secretly enjoy. It’s more polished than typical Lifetime or Hallmark thrillers, but it still carries that pulpy energy.
Many viewers ended up liking it more than expected, simply because it’s fun.
Where to Watch The Housemaid (2025) Online
Currently, The Housemaid (2025) is available for rent or purchase on major digital platforms in the United States:
Available Platforms
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Google Play Movies
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Amazon Prime Video (Rent/Buy)
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Apple TV
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Plex
Availability may change over time. For the most updated streaming information, check JustWatch:
👉 https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-housemaid-0
JustWatch helps you track new subscriptions, rentals, and free streaming options.
Is The Housemaid Worth Watching?
Yes—but with realistic expectations.
The Housemaid (2025) is not a masterpiece. It’s flawed, slow at times, and often predictable. But it’s also stylish, occasionally thrilling, and lifted by Amanda Seyfried’s excellent performance.
Pros:
✔ Outstanding performance by Amanda Seyfried
✔ Beautiful cinematography
✔ Entertaining third act
✔ Solid production quality
Cons:
✘ Slow pacing
✘ Uneven acting from Sydney Sweeney
✘ Rushed adaptation
✘ Predictable twists
If you enjoy psychological thrillers, domestic suspense, and pulpy drama, this film is worth a watch. Just don’t expect something revolutionary.
Conclusion: A Flawed but Enjoyable Psychological Thriller
In the end, The Housemaid feels like a movie that almost became something special.
With tighter editing, stronger pacing, and deeper character development, it could have been a standout thriller. Instead, it remains a “good enough” adaptation that relies heavily on Amanda Seyfried’s brilliance.
It’s not unforgettable—but it’s memorable enough.
And sometimes, that’s enough.
