The Housemaid (2025) – A Twisty, Seductive Thriller That Kept Me Guessing Until the End

 

Sometimes a movie grabs you from the first scene and refuses to let go. The Housemaid did exactly that. From the moment Sydney Sweeney walked into that perfect, unsettling house, I knew something was wrong. I just couldn't figure out what. And honestly? That's the beauty of this film. It's a slick, seductive psychological thriller that plays with your expectations, drops clever clues, and delivers a satisfying mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat. My initial theory about where the story was going turned out to be wrong—and I'm so glad it was, because the actual twists were far more interesting.

The Plot: A Dream Job in a Nightmare House

Wilhelmina "Millie" Calloway (Sydney Sweeney) is a young woman with a troubled past—specifically, a criminal record for killing a rapist. Desperate for a fresh start, she shows up for an interview at the stunning home of the Winchester family. She's quickly hired as their live-in housemaid.

But from the very first scenes, as a viewer, I started to sense that something was deeply off. The family seems perfect: a gorgeous house, a handsome husband, a beautiful wife. But the cracks begin to show immediately.

Nina Winchester (Amanda Seyfried) , the wealthy wife who hires Millie, gives her a tour. She shows Millie to her room—an attic bedroom that locks from the outside. Red flag number one. Then we see Nina's behavior: she's erratic, unstable, and clearly struggling with psychological issues. She swings from warm to hostile in seconds.

Then there's Andrew Winchester (Brandon Sklenar) , the husband. He's described by Nina's friends as "like a saint." He's handsome, calm, patient, and endlessly understanding of his troubled wife. Too perfect, right? The groundskeeper ominously tells Millie she should leave while she still can. And the couple can't have a baby together—Nina has a child from a previous relationship, but Andrew wants his own.

My Guessing Game: The Theory I Had (And Why I'm Glad I Was Wrong)

As a viewer, I was picking up all these clues and trying to piece together the mystery. My theory was this: Andrew would seduce Millie (or exploit her obvious attraction to him), get her pregnant, and then the couple would lock her in that attic room until she delivered the baby they couldn't have together. I thought they were both in on it—a perfect, evil partnership to get what they wanted.

Sadly, my guess was wrong. And I say "sadly" because if I had guessed it correctly, the movie would have been predictable and I wouldn't have enjoyed it nearly as much. The actual reveal was far more clever and satisfying. I won't spoil it here, but the way the story unravels—shifting power dynamics, hidden agendas, and genuine surprises—is what elevated this film from a decent thriller to a really good one.

What Worked: Performances, Atmosphere, and Tension

Sydney Sweeney is perfectly cast as Millie. She brings vulnerability and quiet strength, making you root for her even as you suspect she might be walking into a trap. Amanda Seyfried is the standout for me—her Nina is fascinating to watch. She's unpredictable, fragile, and sometimes genuinely scary. You never know what version of her you're going to get. Brandon Sklenar plays the "too good to be true" husband with just the right amount of ambiguity.

Director Paul Feig (Bridesmaids, A Simple Favor) proves again that he has a real talent for stylish, female-led thrillers. The house itself becomes a character—cold, elegant, and hiding secrets behind every closed door. The tension builds slowly and expertly, with those little clues sprinkled throughout that make a second viewing rewarding.

Ratings, Box Office & Critical Reception

• IMDb: 6.8/10 (from 85,000 users)
• Rotten Tomatoes: 74% Critics / 92% Audience
• Budget/Box Office: $35 million budget, $360.9 million worldwide

The numbers tell a clear story: audiences loved this movie. A 92% audience score on RT and a massive box office haul (over ten times its budget) prove this was a crowd-pleaser. Critics were more mixed at 74%, but that's still a solid fresh rating. The film's success already has a sequel in development, with Feig and Sweeney set to return.

Final Verdict: A Rewatchable Thriller for Mystery Lovers

My rating is a strong 8 out of 10. I loved the story, the mystery, and the way it kept me engaged throughout. It's the kind of thriller that makes you want to immediately rewatch it to catch all the details and clues you missed the first time. The performances are excellent, the atmosphere is perfect, and the twists genuinely surprised me.

I totally recommend The Housemaid to anyone who loves mystery thrillers, psychological suspense, or stylish, character-driven stories. It's a perfect movie night pick—especially if you enjoy guessing along and being proven wrong.

What did you think of The Housemaid? Did you guess the twist, or did the movie surprise you like it did me? Let me know your theories in the comments!

And suggest a movie for my next review! I'm in the mood for another twisty psychological thriller.

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See also My full list of 2026 movie reviews →