The Housemaid (review)

Published by Mason Oldridge, 12 January 2026

Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried lead on this twisty psychological thriller that everyone’s talking about.

Millie, a young woman on parole, takes a live-in position as a housemaid for the wealthy Nina and Andrew Winchester, though there’s twists and turns ahead.

During Millie’s interview and first day, Nina is exceedingly welcoming and kind, but when Millie wakes up, Nina begins a cruel tyranny, creating the first question mark of the film. It is revealed Nina suffers from psychosis and went to a psychiatric hospital after she tried to drown her daughter Cece and overdose. Millie then tries to leave her job, while becoming close to Andrew, who eventually breaks up with a nasty Nina and begins a relationship with Millie.

Tension is high during their honeymoon phase as we fear something lurking to shatter Millie’s paradise ending. Then comes the twist. Andrew locks her in her room for breaking his mother’s chinaware and a flashback reveals he did the same to Nina, demanding she pull out one hundred hairs as a consequence of not having her roots dyed and subsequently controlled her life, faking her psychosis. A trapped Nina then purposefully hired Millie as she saw it the only way that her and Cece could be free from his sadistic reign.

A harrowing scene follows as, on Andrew’s request, Millie slashes her stomach 21 times, though Millie is able to lock Andrew in by attacking him. Satisfaction is likely as Millie enacts revenge, smashing the china and making Andrew pull out his front tooth with pliers in a wince-inducing graphic scene. However, stomachs will drop as it is realised that Nina’s rescue mission will accidentally free Andrew, culminating in a thrilling final battle that sees Andrew fall to his bloody death.

The film cleverly introduces the theme of domestic abuse as Millie, having already delivered her own form of justice to two male abusers, takes up a new housemaid role for another victim of domestic violence in a truly badass ending.

Sydney Sweeney is epic as Millie takes revenge and embodies female empowerment, Amanda Seyfried is stellar as the supposedly malicious housewife and Brandon Sklenar is excellent as the terrifyingly villainous Andrew.

With an already superb story to work with, this cinematic adaptation creates a haunting tone that elevates the film beyond its storyline alone.

A mysterious plot, a brilliant story, shocking twists, chilling scenes, a genius ending, perfect casting and an atmospheric tone all combine to deliver one of the greatest films of all time. This film will leave you with an astonished smile on your face and stay with you for the coming days. To experience this film is… a privilege.

10/10