I Read, Then Watched Freida McFadden’s The Housemaid: Here’s My Take
I <3 Brandon Sklenar
PSA: This review contains spoilers.
If someone a) hates reading, or b) is in a reading rut, I always tell them to pick up Freida McFadden’s The Housemaid. Not only is it one of the best psychological thrillers I’ve ever read, but I have proof it works miracles: I managed to convert my boyfriend who hadn’t opened a book since Diary of a Wimpy Kid in grade 6, into someone who reads. So hooked, in fact, he was scared to read anything else because he was convinced nothing would ever compare. And honestly? I get it.
If you’re not already part of Freida’s cult following, you’ve at least heard of her work – and now, with the release of The Housemaid’s movie adaptation, there’s no way to miss this phenomenon.
Naturally, when I heard a movie was coming, I was sceptical. Could it live up to the literary legend? Then the cast was announced: Amanda Seyfried as Nina, Sydney Sweeney as Millie, and Brandon Sklenar as Andrew and I was totally on board.
Synopsis
The Housemaid, a bestselling psychological thriller by Freida McFadden, follows Millie Calloway, a down‑on‑her‑luck young woman fresh out of prison who takes a live‑in maid job with the wealthy Winchester family in their sprawling Long Island estate. What starts as a desperate chance at a fresh start quickly spirals into a chilling web of manipulation, secrets. and power plays as Millie navigates the volatile dynamics of the household and begins to question who is truly in control. With shifting perspectives and a twisty narrative that upends expectations, the novel explores class, deception and survival in a world where appearances can be deadly.
My review
Okay, let’s talk about the movie. You know that moment when you’ve read a book, imagined every detail of the characters and settings in your head, and then a film adaptation absolutely destroys your vision? Well, The Housemaid is not that movie.
Amanda Seyfried is phenomenal as Nina. Elegant, poised, and completely unhinged, she’s everything you imagined – and more. Sydney Sweeney plays Millie exactly as I pictured her: smart, resourceful, witty, and constantly on edge. Brandon Sklenar as Andrew? Let’s just say he’s charming enough to make you question whether he could ever really be evil…until you remember exactly what’s coming. Honestly, he’s also just very easy on the eyes, which doesn’t hurt.
The Winchester estate itself is practically a character. It’s beautiful, imposing, and slightly sinister – the perfect backdrop for all the tension and drama. The movie does an amazing job of keeping you hooked from the first scene. I found myself leaning forward in my seat, heart racing, genuinely gasping along with the rest of the cinema.
And the acting? Top-notch across the board. Seyfried is a master at conveying a storm of emotions with just a look, and Sweeney’s hesitant, witty Millie makes you root for her the whole time. Sklenar is so convincing you actually catch yourself rooting for Andrew at times, even knowing the twist is coming.
There are a few differences from the book that are worth mentioning:
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Millie’s closet scene is more intense in the movie. In the book, Millie has to stack books on her stomach; in the film, it’s a little more dramatic and gory, with Andrew instructing Millie to deeply slice her stomach 21 times. Yeah, yuck.
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Andrew’s death is faster and more cinematic: pushed down a spiral staircase instead of the slow, chilling starvation depicted in the novel.
But honestly, these changes work in the film’s favor, giving it a suspenseful, fast-paced, and cinematic energy without losing the psychological tension that made the book so addictive. I’m usually the type to insist “the book is always better than the movie”, but this one came surprisingly close, bringing the novel’s visuals vividly to life. And, of course, Brandon Sklenar doesn’t hurt a bit.
Whether you’ve read the book or not, The Housemaid is a must-see. It’s suspenseful, genuinely thrilling, and dare we say stylish, all in one. The cinematography is gorgeous, the soundtrack is perfectly tense, and the cast, a dream. It’s one of those movies that deserves a trip to the cinema, Choc Top and all.
Imagery: @housemaidmovie
