Based on the bestselling novel by Freida McFadden, the film adaptation of “The Housemaid” hit theaters in December 2025 and has been met with much enthusiasm.
“The Housemaid” is a psychological thriller that shows how a seemingly normal job can be more than it seems. In the movie, secrets are slowly revealed, and the protagonist realizes that nothing is as it seems.
The movie follows a young, unhoused woman who takes a position working for a wealthy family. At first, the job seems like a great opportunity for her. Then the scenes become tense as things become dangerous.
“My first impression of ‘The Housemaid’ after watching was that I was honestly astonished. The storyline is incredibly unexpected, so coming out of the movie, I was pleasantly surprised,” said Anna Bernadi, a sophomore at Carlmont High School.
Most reviews on IMDb, a popular movie review website, highly recommend the movie to others, echoing Bernadi’s positive experience.
The movie highlights the theme of female empowerment and women helping each other, especially when there is an issue, showing that women can be strong when they work together and support one another.
“I think one of the themes of the movie was girls sticking up for girls,” said Katie Michaels, a sophomore at Carlmont.
Another contributor to the success of the movie is that the cadence of the movie adds a feeling of suspense. This makes the audience feel on edge while watching, as the movie builds up fear as the story unfolds.
“I started to feel tension grow in the late-night hallway and bedroom scenes,” said Kaelin Kurt, a sophomore at Carlmont.
According to Michaels, the actors did a good job portraying their characters, which added to the audience’s experience.
“Sydney Sweeney’s performance really pulled me in. After everything went down, she had a connection with her character,” Michaels said.
Sweeney played Millie Calloway, the housemaid, who was the main character in the story. Her actions drove the plot, keeping the audience engaged. Amanda Seyfried played Nina Winchester, another key role in the movie. Winchester’s decision to hire Calloway as the live-in housemaid for her family was the catalyst for the story.
“The movie exceeded my expectations, and the first confrontation scene was the main decision,” Kurt said.
The story keeps viewers closely connected to the characters and their struggles. Most of the action happens in the house, making this feel more relatable, as if it hits at home.
“Compared to other psychological thrillers I’ve seen, it felt more tense and personal because everything happens mostly in one house. It focuses more on mind games and uncomfortable moments, rather than action, which makes it feel darker and more intense,” Bernadi said.
Many psychological thrillers make you feel tension, suspense, and even anxiety. “The Housemaid” stands out because of the focus on human manipulation rather than action, and because the movie has a lot of gore.
“I would 100% recommend this movie,” Bernadi said. “The plot is super good, and the acting in it is even better. I am going to rewatch it this weekend!”
