Director Paul Feig manages to create a mixture of thriller and comedy with his bestselling adaptation.
Literature lovers can look forward to a real film festival in 2026, as several book adaptations will be coming to cinemas this year. The film adaptation of Emily Henry's (34) bestseller “No Summer Without You” started on Netflix on January 9th. Just a month later, a real cinema highlight follows with “Wuthering Heights”: Emily Brontë's classic was reinterpreted by Oscar winner Emerald Fennell (40) and impresses with Margot Robbie (35) and Jacob Elordi (28) in the leading roles.
Thriller fans are already getting their money's worth with “The Housemaid – If She Knew”. The film adaptation of the global bestseller by Freida McFadden (45) opened in US cinemas last month and has already grossed around $150 million worldwide. A second part is already in progress. Starring Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar, the film impresses with its exciting premise and successful execution.
Scene from “The Housemaid – If She Knew”
That's what “The Housemaid” is about
Millie Calloway (Sweeney) is a young woman with a criminal past. After her release from prison, she finally wants to start over. Using a fake resume, she lands a job as a housekeeper for the wealthy Winchester family. At first everything seems to be going perfectly: Millie not only gets the job, but also her own room in the attic of the opulent property.
But it soon becomes apparent that something dark is lurking behind the perfect facade of her employer Nina Winchester (Seyfried). Nina repeatedly takes out her moods on Millie and turns her everyday life into a nightmare. Only Nina's charismatic husband Andrew (Sklenar) seems to bring some calm to the situation. But Millie's back is against the wall – because Nina knows exactly how to put her new employee under pressure.
Scene from “The Housemaid – If She Knew”
Quick production thanks to Paul Feig
Paul Feig sat in the director's chair – a filmmaker who was tailor-made for this material. His films are often characterized by strong female characters, such as in “Taffe Mädels” with Sandra Bullock or “A Simple Favor”. This time too, Feig delivers a gripping film that doesn't lose momentum for a minute. At the same time, he always sprinkles in humorous moments that never seem out of place. He achieves the demanding balance between thriller and comedy with ease.
The film is also convincing on a technical level. Visually, the film is impressive and the targeted sound effects also increase the tension in key moments. Feig also demonstrates an eye for detail: the Winchesters' property is decorated in cool colors and thus contributes significantly to the dark atmosphere. With clever camera work, he creates a constant feeling of paranoia in the audience.
Scene from “The Housemaid – If She Knew”
Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney score with their performances
However, the audience shouldn't take the plot too seriously – “The Housemaid” is strongly reminiscent of the erotic thrillers of the 90s, which became known for their exaggeration and lack of subtlety. Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney seem to know this well and play their roles with a palpable awareness of this particular tone. Seyfried in particular shines as an unstable, inscrutable mother figure. Her occasional overacting fits in well with the film's over-the-top style and never seems out of place.
Sydney Sweeney also impresses with a believable performance. She effortlessly manages her transformation from a reserved young woman to a self-confident personality who no longer lets herself be dictated to. Brandon Sklenar, known from the series “1923”, shows a completely different side here and is also convincing. The Italian star Michele Morrone, on the other hand, can only be seen in a smaller, more one-dimensional role.
Scene from “The Housemaid – If She Knew”
Conclusion:
Anyone who enjoys over-the-top, suspenseful thrillers will get their money's worth with “The Housemaid – If She Knew”. The plot may not always be realistic, but the numerous unexpected twists ensure constant entertainment. The whole thing is rounded off by convincing acting performances from the entire ensemble.
3 1/2 out of 5 unexpected emotional outbursts