Nothing is what it seems in 'The Housemaid', the psychological thriller set to keep you guessing

During a recent cinema trip to see the romantic drama “Regretting You”, I was left fascinated by the trailer for “The Housemaid”, which was shown before it started. 

This psychological thriller is an adaptation of Freida McFadden’s 2022 novel of the same title.

However, what amplified my excitement was the stellar cast, led by Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried, Brandon Sklenar and Michele Morrone, with Paul Feig in the director's chair.

By the way, Sweeney and Seyfriend also share the executive producer credits.

The premise centres on Millie Calloway (Sweeney), the new housemaid for the influential Winchester family, comprising Nina (Seyfried) and her husband, Andrew (Sklenar). 

In case you are wondering, Morrone is cast as Enzo, a groundskeeper. 

The plot centres on Millie’s new role within this household, where that familiar cliché, "Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it," becomes a harsh reality.

Not long after moving into the cosy attic, Millie finds herself at the beck and call of Nina. It isn’t long before the overbearing demands and the increasingly loud, secretive chatter surrounding the household's scandals become hard to ignore.

Now this genre isn’t Feig’s usual playground, but he evidently couldn’t pass up on the opportunity. 

He shared: “The delicious fun of this story comes from just how extreme it gets. I always saw ‘The Housemaid’ as a Nancy Meyers movie gone horribly wrong,” referring to Meyers’ signature playful romances set inside the lightest, brightest, most effortlessly idyllic of homes. 

“That idea inspired everything from the production design to the whole way we played it. Tension, scares, and humour constantly intertwine in this story, and it was a dream bringing that to life.”

He added, “I love a story that makes you think about what you root for and what you don't. It puts a spotlight on the judgments we make about people, situations, and what we think we want. Sometimes, when you finally see the reality underneath things, it upends your whole view of how the world works.” 

“Hitchcock said it’s like pulling a string,” Feig explains, invoking the legendary director. “If you pull the string too far, it breaks, and if you don't pull it enough, it sags. We set out to see just how far we could pull the string of this world without it snapping.”

“It was masterful how, in the book, Freida McFadden set up this alluring world and then asked, you think you want all this? Guess what? It's not what you believe it is.” 

Millie's arrival is what fundamentally destabilises the household.

“It’s one of those stories that plays directly into human fears we all share. But also, the way Freida tied together the characters, the twists, and the tonality so that you never leave the edge of your seat was something truly special. I could not put it down,” says Sweeney. 

Screenplay writer Rebecca Sonnenshine discussed the film's dark undertones, noting that they are rooted in gaslighting and deception.

She says, “Who hasn’t had to deal with a toxic boss or stayed in a job out of sheer desperation?

“We can all relate to Millie. But also, I think we’ve all had a person in our life who seems to be one thing, but then things flip, and they betray you. I think that's part of why so many were drawn to this book. It reminds us of the bad boss, but also that person you liked who turned into your worst nightmare.”

Sonnenshine enjoyed exploring the story's visible and hidden depths, especially by having the characters swap roles, which allowed each one to be both deeply empathetic and ultimately unknowable. 

Initially, Sonnenshine points out, "You root for Millie." However, "then you start questioning everyone's motives, including Millie's. Is anyone a reliable narrator? That’s one of the story’s big mysteries.”

Seyfried could’t be more chuffed about slipping into the skin of Nina. 

She admitted, “Nina is the most fun I’ve had with a role since ‘Mean Girls’. She’s so multifaceted, and there are so many dynamics at play within her; it gave me incredible freedom and energy. That was thrilling. And I don’t think I’ve ever seen a character quite like this in any movie.”

Sweeney added, “Amanda brought out so many surprising layers in Nina. I loved every minute working with her, because just as you never know what to expect from Nina, you never knew where Amanda would take things, and it was great fun keeping up with her.” 

Judging by the feedback from the cast and creative team, "The Housemaid" promises to be an intense emotional rollercoaster. It's a tale where sanity, greed, vanity, and entitlement are all put to the ultimate test.

∎ "The Housemaid" is showing in cinemas nationwide.