Fans of Freida McFadden‘s 2022 novel, The Housemaid, finally have more information about the upcoming film adaptation. The psychological thriller became a nearly instant New York Times bestseller and won the International Thriller Writers Award for Best Paperback Original Novel. The original novel later spawned a larger series, including The Housemaid’s Secret and The Housemaid is Watching.
Of course, it wasn’t long until it was announced that the literary hit would have a film adaptation. Hidden Pictures and Lionsgate acquired the rights in 2022, and in 2024, we heard that Paul Feig was set to direct, with Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried, and Brandon Sklenar to star. It should be noted that Feig also directed A Simple Favor 1 and 2, so he knows his way around a psychological thriller.
McFadden expressed her excitement earlier this year about the film’s upcoming release. She took to Instagram to share her feelings, saying:
“I can’t even express how excited I am to announce that #TheHousemaidMovie is coming soon!!! @Lionsgate has come up with the absolute perfect cast and director, and I am just so grateful! I mean, Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried, and Paul Feig… mind blown!!!!”
Now, we can join in McFadden’s enthusiasm because the official trailer just dropped. Let’s deep dive into the mysteries and intrigue of The Housemaid in anticipation of the film’s release.
The Housemaid trailer teases a complex web of dangerous secrets
First, we should establish the basic plot — or, what appears to be the basic plot. Millie (Sydney Sweeney) is a troubled young woman who needs a fresh start, and thinks she has found it in a new job opportunity. She accepts a job as a live-in nanny for a wealthy couple, Nina (Amanda Seyfried) and Andrew (Brandon Sklenar). What initially seems like a dream job in the perfect home quickly becomes a nightmare.
While The Housemaid may sound simple, there seems to be more to the story. The first bad sign? That haunting rendition of Sabrina Carpenter’s “Please, Please, Please.” The cheeky, upbeat pop song feels ominous when stripped down and played under the unsettling footage in the trailer.
Another troubling early development in the trailer is a key, presented by Nina to Millie for the door of her room, so she feels safe in the home. That definitely is the kind of gesture that makes a previously secure person suddenly feel very unsafe. It doesn’t help that Seyfried plays Nina as dead-eyed as she hands the key to a visibly perturbed Millie.
Also, while Nina and Andrew initially seem like the perfectly polished couple, that image slowly fades away. Interspersed with loving embraces are scenes of Nina glaring hatefully at her husband and screaming matches between the two. It seems that this tension may leave room for Andrew and Millie to become a little too close. And what’s with Enzo (Michelle Morone), the handsome landscaper, comforting Nina after a breakdown in the kitchen?
Then, of course, there’s the blood. There are a few scenes of Nina covered in it, as well as an especially shocking frame of her holding a large, jagged piece of glass and wearing a threatening smile. All things considered, Millie seems to be in imminent danger.
Or, is she? The final shot of the trailer reveals a previously smiling Millie waving goodbye to Nina following her interview, only to drop the smile and toss aside her glasses as she drives away. Is it possible that Nina isn’t the victim the trailer previously portrayed her as?
Of course, this is all speculation. It seems very likely that this trailer is filled with red herrings and misdirects. If you’ve read the book, please keep the spoilers to yourself! We can’t wait to see how things turn out for Millie and Nina as they go head-to-head. Check out the full trailer for yourself, and see if you can find something we missed.
The Housemaid will premiere in theaters on Dec. 19, 2025.
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