The Housekeeper is an American psychological thriller directed by Paul Feig and written by Rebecca Sonnenshine. Adapted from the bestselling novel by Freida McFadden, the film stars Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, alongside Brandon Sklenar and Michele Morrone. Scheduled for release in French cinemas on December 24, 2025, this movie marks a darker turn for Paul Feig, who is best known for his comedies and satirical thrillers.
Seeking a fresh start after a difficult period of hardship, Millie Calloway takes a job as a live-in housekeeper for Nina and Andrew Winchester, a wealthy couple living in a sprawling estate in New Jersey. The offer seems perfect: a roof over her head, a decent paycheck, and the promise of stability. However, from her very first days, Millie senses underlying tensions and an uneasy atmosphere that starkly contrast with the seemingly flawless facade of the household.
As the days go by, the young woman finds herself trapped in a confined domestic setting where power struggles, seductive games, and psychological manipulations escalate. The house, a true vertical labyrinth dividing the masters’ floors from the staff’s quarters, becomes the backdrop for a disturbing downward spiral. Deceptions and buried secrets gradually turn what was meant to be a safe haven into a perilous ordeal, forcing Millie to confront her own hidden shadows.
Produced by Paul Feig (who previously directed Ghosts of Girlfriends Past) and written by Rebecca Sonnenshine (The Boys, The Vampire Diaries),
the film adapts a best-seller published in 2022. The original novel sold over 3.5 million copies worldwide, remained on the New York Times bestseller list for more than two years, and has been translated into 45 languages. Its success, largely fueled by BookTok, has led to the creation of several spin-off stories set within the same universe.
To create the film's atmosphere, Paul Feig draws on a range of contrasting influences, blending the bright, inviting aesthetic of Nancy Meyers's comedies with the suspenseful mechanics borrowed from Alfred Hitchcock. This results in a deliberately deceptive setting: a stunning, almost idyllic house subtly tinged with signs of menace, most notably through the recurring use of vivid red accents set against a pristine, immaculate backdrop.
The film tackles head-on the issue of social classes by leveraging the very design of the Winchester residence. Millie’s cramped, studio-built room—with its removable ceiling to heighten the sense of confinement—stands in stark contrast to the sprawling, luxurious spaces reserved for the owners. Symbolic elements, such as the dollhouse faithfully mirroring the property, further reinforce the depiction of power dynamics and psychological imbalances within the household.
Set against an oppressive backdrop, The Maid follows in the footsteps of modern domestic thrillers like Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train, while striving for a distinctive tone. The pairing of Sydney Sweeney, who also serves as an executive producer, and Amanda Seyfried creates a subtle and tense dynamic, where every gesture and silence build toward an escalating sense of unease.
The Housekeeper
Movie | 2025
In theaters: December 24, 2025
Psychological thriller | Runtime: 2h11
Directed by Paul Feig | Starring Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried, Brandon Sklenar
Original title: The Housemaid
Country: United States
Based on a best-selling novel that turned into a publishing sensation, The Maid delivers a tense, stylish thriller that explores the uncertainty of appearances and the quiet violence of power dynamics within an opulent household.
To extend your theater experience, check out December's new movie releases, films currently showing, and our selection of thrillers of the year.
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