The movie adaptation of Freida McFadden’s trilogy novel series The Housemaid released in theatres last month. The Housemaid follows Millie Calloway (Sydney Sweeney), a young ex-con desperate for a fresh start who takes a live-in job for the Winchesters, a wealthy Long Island family. Millie finds herself in a troubling situation, getting caught up in the family’s enigmatic dark secrets.
As someone who’s read the series, I was particularly excited for this release. Some of the film’s strongest elements included the acting by Amanda Seyfried (Nina Winchester) and Brandon Sklenar (Andrew Winchester). The Winchesters are complex individuals, and I really felt the character emanating through the screen. The actors beautifully portrayed them with their own unique interpretations. With that being said, the film keeps it light-hearted and fun, with great cinematography, a thrilling soundtrack and suspenseful twists and turns. This film does an excellent job of keeping audiences engaged throughout the entire film.
There are more than a few differences between the book and the film. The ending is one of the more major differences. I personally liked the fluctuations from the original plot, and the ending still felt just as thrilling and engaging, if not more. However, if you’re looking for an exact remake of the plot, or came for the depth and details that the book has, save yourself the time. Another difference is the lack of importance Enzo had in the film as compared to the book series. In the film, Enzo plays a much smaller role. In the movie, Millie and Enzo hardly interact, leaving Enzo with very little screen time, contributing nothing to the plot, unlike in the book.
One of the critiques I have for The Housemaid is the oversexualization of Sydney Sweeney (Millie Calloway) in the film. I understand that Millie’s character is meant to be a young, beautiful, alluring figure, but some scenes were unnecessarily sexualized. Another critique is the film’s dialogue and on-screen chemistry between the actors. At times, some of the dialogue and line delivery felt sloppy and awkward. Also, the pacing of the film felt rushed, and many of my favourite details from the story weren’t included or were brushed over and rushed due to time constraints.
Most of my review has analyzed and compared the film to the novel it’s based on. However, to consider and review the film as a separate entity, I personally enjoyed it. The film does a fantastic job keeping the plot simple and engaging for audiences to follow, right from the get-go. The actors and writing beautifully and accurately illustrate the raw depth and complexity of each character, making the movie that much more captivating. Furthermore, the cinematography and auditory elements work in tandem to create an eerie and enthralling atmosphere.
If you’re looking for an intriguing and entertaining thriller/mystery film to pass the time during these chilly winter nights, I highly recommend watching The Housemaid. But for all you book lovers or Freida-fanatics, don’t keep your expectations too high. Walk into it from a fresh perspective, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised.