Review: ‘The Housemaid’ has many layers

A scene from ‘The Housemaid’ courtesy of Cineplex Pictures

The Housemaid is bursting with secrets and everyone is straining to stay tight lipped.

Millie (Sydney Sweeney) desperately needs a job and Nina (Amanda Seyfried) needs a live-in housemaid. It’s the perfect match. Of course, Millie omits the fact that she’s on parole from her resume. Nonetheless, every day is a challenge when working for someone experiencing drastic mood swings. Luckily, Nina’s saintly husband, Andrew (Brandon Sklenar), is always ready to step in and act as mediator.

Director Paul Feig approaches genre films similarly. Whether he’s making a thriller or comedy, he wants to elicit a response from audiences. Consequently, audiences become deeply engrossed in Millie and Nina’s rollercoaster of a relationship. Afterall, unreasonable bosses are very relatable.

The film is based on Freida McFadden’s novel of the same name. However, if you’re not already familiar with the source material, it’s best to go into this movie cold. Either way, it’s incredibly fun to watch the game of cat and mouse unfold, all while trying to decide who’s the predator and who’s the prey.

Much of the film’s success must be accredited to the excellent cast. A movie with this many secrets requires layered performances. It all has to be on the screen, whether audiences realize it or not. It’s these details that make the film warrant a second watch.

Director: Paul Feig
Starring: Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar