The Housemaid: Movie Review

As so many others, I have been a huge fan of Freida McFadden's book The Housemaid since it was published in 2022. Over the past few years, I have read it at least six times, so when it was announced that they were turning it into a movie, I was very excited. Yesterday, I finally had the chance to sit down and watch it.

So, what were my honest, initial thoughts as I left the cinema?

Honestly, I was pretty satisfied with it!

Let's start with the cast, specifically the trio who we all know and love from the book: Millie, Nina, and Andrew, who are, of course, played by Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried, and Brandon Sklenar.

The stand-out for me was, to no one's surprise, Amanda.

Amanda Seyfried is simply electric as Nina Winchester. For anyone who has read the book, you know just how many personality traits and emotions Nina gets to go through, and Amanda more than rises up to the occasion. The best part of her performance is that you can just tell she's having fun with it and is not holding back on all the craziness. Her chemistry is also great with both Sweeney and Sklenar and the best parts of the movie all include her character.

Brandon Sklenar as Andrew is good. Although I pictured him looking differently when I read the book, he brings the perfect amount of charm and confidence that Andrew's character needs in order to make the second part of the story impactful.

And what about Sydney?

Honestly, she's just fine. Nothing groundbreaking about her performance, but definitely not a bad one either and, to put it very simply, I can just see her as Millie. I think she was a good casting choice for the character.

From a storyline perspective, the first half of the movie follows the book very closely. There isn't much that is left out (with one exception, that I will get to in a second), and they do a good job at world building, especially for the audience who is not familiar with the book and is going into the movie blindly.

The second half, once the "twists" really start happening, differs from the book quite a bit. But, I have to admit, I actually preferred all the changes they made. Without spoiling too much, all the creative liberties they take work in favour of the story as they raise the stakes higher which then conclude in a very satisfying ending. One small criticism I have always had about the book is that it doesn't hit the landing as well as it could have. So much happens in the story and then it just sort of...ends. The movie manages to get rid of that feeling of disatisfaction and really earns its ending.

Now, there is one thing I was quite disappointed in.

Where the hell was Enzo's screen time?

If you've read the book, you know that Enzo is one of the best, most interesting characters and he is incredibly important to the plot. In the movie, his part is reduced significantly. Michele Morrone only gets a few lines and then he just disappears from the story.

Considering that the sequel, The Housemaid's Secret, has just been greenlight to be adapted as well, it's safe to assume we will be getting a lot more Enzo then (he has a significat role in the second book). I just wish we would've seen him more in this movie as well.

Overall, a really enjoyable time at the cinema and not a bad adaptation at all. I will definitely be seated for the sequel.