If you’ve been scrolling through BookTok or checking out what’s trending at the movies lately, you’ve probably heard people talking about The Housemaid. This psychological thriller has taken over social media, topped bestseller lists, and become one of the biggest box office hits of late 2025. But what’s all the hype about?
Whether you’re curious about the book, thinking about watching the movie, or just trying to figure out why everyone can’t stop talking about it, this guide has you covered. Let’s break down everything you need to know about The Housemaid phenomenon.
What is “The Housemaid”? An Overview of the Phenomenon
The Housemaid started as a psychological thriller novel written by Freida McFadden in 2022. The book became a massive hit—selling over 6 million copies and turning into one of BookTok’s most recommended reads. Fast forward to December 2025, and the story came to life on the big screen with Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried leading the cast.
So what makes this story so addictive? It’s a twisted tale about Millie, a young woman with a troubled past who takes a job as a live-in housemaid for a wealthy family. Things seem perfect at first, but nothing is what it appears to be. The story is packed with shocking twists, psychological games, and dark secrets that keep you guessing until the very end.
The book alone has been translated into 40 languages and spent months on the New York Times bestseller list. The movie? It’s already made over $134 million worldwide and has a sequel greenlit for 2026. People can’t get enough of this story, and it’s easy to see why once you dive in.
The Book That Started It All: Freida McFadden’s Bestselling Thriller
Before Sydney Sweeney brought Millie to life on screen, Freida McFadden created her on the page. Published in April 2022 by Bookouture, The Housemaid wasn’t an overnight success story—but once readers discovered it, word spread like wildfire.
The plot goes like this: Millie Calloway desperately needs a job. She’s been living in her car and struggling to find work because of her criminal record. When she gets hired as a housemaid for the Winchester family in Long Island, it feels like a miracle. The family seems perfect—wealthy, sophisticated, living in a beautiful mansion. But her new boss, Nina Winchester, turns out to be a nightmare.
Nina constantly criticizes Millie, makes messes just to blame her, and acts completely unstable. Meanwhile, Nina’s husband Andrew seems kind and understanding. Millie starts falling for him, and the two begin an affair. When Andrew finally kicks Nina out and commits to Millie, everything seems like it’s working out. Then Andrew locks Millie in the tiny attic room.
Here’s where the first major twist hits: Nina planned everything. She’s not the unstable villain—she’s been Andrew’s victim for years. He’s been locking her in that same attic, abusing her, and making her look crazy to everyone else. Nina hired Millie specifically because of her violent past, hoping she’d be strong enough to kill Andrew (something Nina couldn’t do herself).
The book sold over 1.8 million copies in its first year alone, with more than 500 million page reads through Kindle Unlimited. BookTok users loved the shocking twists and started making videos about it, which pushed sales even higher. By 2024, it had become one of the most talked-about thrillers in years.
What’s interesting about author Freida McFadden is that she’s actually a practicing physician who specializes in brain injuries. She writes under a pen name and balances her medical career with her thriller-writing success. Her medical background definitely shows in how she writes psychological manipulation and trauma so convincingly.
Meet the Characters: Millie, Nina, and Andrew
The story really comes alive through its three main characters, each hiding major secrets.
Millie Calloway
Millie is the protagonist and narrator for most of the story. She’s in her late twenties, spent 10 years in prison for manslaughter, and is trying to rebuild her life. At first, she seems like a victim—desperate, vulnerable, and just trying to survive. But as the story unfolds, you realize she’s tougher and more complicated than she appears. She’s made mistakes, but she’s also willing to do whatever it takes to survive.
Nina Winchester
Nina is the wealthy wife who initially seems like the antagonist. She appears unstable, paranoid, and cruel to Millie. The book makes you think she’s the problem in the household. But the big reveal shows that Nina has been enduring years of abuse from her husband. She’s not crazy—she’s trapped. Her apparent instability is actually a result of systematic psychological torture.
Andrew Winchester
Andrew is the real villain, though you don’t realize it for most of the story. He comes across as the perfect husband—charming, successful, caring. He seems sympathetic when dealing with his “difficult” wife. But he’s actually a master manipulator who’s been abusing Nina for years, locking her in the attic as punishment, and using his wealth and charm to make everyone believe she’s mentally ill.
Supporting Characters
There’s also Enzo, the Italian groundskeeper who tries to warn Millie about the danger she’s in. He becomes an important ally, especially as the story continues into the sequel books. And Cecelia, the Winchester’s young daughter, adds another layer of tension because both Millie and Nina worry about protecting her.
What makes these characters work so well is how the story constantly shifts your perspective. You judge Nina harshly at first, then feel awful when you realize what she’s been through. You trust Andrew completely, then feel shocked and betrayed by the reveal. It’s this character complexity that keeps readers hooked.
The 2025 Movie Adaptation: Cast, Director, and Box Office Success
When Hollywood came calling, the movie rights to The Housemaid sparked a bidding war between four major studios. Lionsgate eventually won and brought in director Paul Feig, known for comedies like Bridesmaids and Spy. Casting Sydney Sweeney as Millie and Amanda Seyfried as Nina proved to be perfect choices.
The movie premiered in New York City on December 2, 2025, and hit theaters nationwide on December 19, 2025. Made on a $35 million budget, it’s already earned $134.8 million worldwide—$77.5 million in the U.S. and $57.3 million internationally. Those numbers might not sound huge compared to Marvel movies, but for a mid-budget thriller aimed at adults, it’s a massive success.
Critics gave it a 75% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but audiences loved it even more—92% of viewers gave it positive reviews. People praised Amanda Seyfried’s performance as Nina, calling it “startling” and “captivatingly eerie.” Sydney Sweeney received more mixed reviews, with some critics saying she seemed subdued in the first half but really came alive during the film’s intense finale.
The supporting cast includes Brandon Sklenar as Andrew (you might recognize him from It Ends With Us), Michele Morrone as Enzo, and Elizabeth Perkins as Andrew’s mother. The chemistry between the three leads—Sweeney, Seyfried, and Sklenar—creates the tense, uncomfortable atmosphere that makes the story work.
Director Paul Feig brought a stylish, suspenseful approach to the material. He’s known for working with strong female leads and bringing humor to tense situations, which helped balance the dark subject matter. The movie feels like old-school erotic thrillers from the ’90s but with modern sensibilities about abuse and trauma.
The film performed especially well in France, where the book had been the #1 bestseller of 2024. French audiences turned out in huge numbers, giving the movie the fifth-best opening weekend of 2025 in that country.
Book vs. Movie: Key Differences You Should Know
If you’ve read the book and plan to watch the movie (or vice versa), here are the biggest changes to expect:
The Ending is Completely Different
In the book, Millie locks Andrew in the attic and subjects him to prolonged psychological and physical torture over several days until he dies of thirst. It’s brutal and drawn-out. In the movie, things happen much faster—Millie pushes Andrew over a spiral staircase during a confrontation, and he dies from the fall. Nina and Enzo then stage it to look like an accident involving chandelier repair.
The Investigating Officer Has a Personal Connection
The movie adds a subplot where the police officer, Jessica Connors, recognizes Andrew because he previously traumatized her sister (his former fiancée). This gives her a reason to overlook the suspicious circumstances of his death. This character and backstory don’t exist in the book.
Andrew’s Mother Plays a Bigger Role
Elizabeth Perkins plays Evelyn Winchester, Andrew’s mother, who has an expanded role in the film. She adds another layer to understanding Andrew’s upbringing and entitled behavior.
The Pacing is Faster
Books can take time to build tension slowly, but movies need to keep moving. The film compresses some of the psychological torture sequences and gets to major plot twists more quickly.
Some Character Details Change
Minor aspects of characters’ backgrounds and motivations get adjusted to work better on screen.
Despite these changes, the core story remains the same—both versions explore the same themes of abuse, manipulation, and revenge. Fans of the book have mixed feelings about the changes, but most agree that both versions work well in their respective formats.
Themes and Why “The Housemaid” Resonates: Abuse, Power, and Class
There’s a reason The Housemaid has connected with so many people beyond just being a twisty thriller. The story tackles some heavy, real-world issues that a lot of readers and viewers recognize.
Domestic Abuse and Gaslighting
Domestic abuse and gaslighting sit at the heart of the story. Andrew doesn’t just physically hurt Nina—he systematically breaks down her sense of reality. He makes her doubt herself, isolates her from support, and uses his wealth and charm to make everyone else think she’s the problem. This kind of psychological abuse is incredibly common but often invisible to outsiders. The story shows how abuse victims can appear “crazy” or “difficult” when they’re actually fighting for survival.
Economic Vulnerability
Economic vulnerability traps both main characters. Millie can’t leave because her parole requires employment and housing. Nina can’t escape because Andrew controls all the money and has threatened to take custody of their daughter. The story shows how poverty and financial dependence make people vulnerable to exploitation. It’s not as simple as “just leave”—both women face real barriers that make escape nearly impossible without help.
Class Disparity
Class disparity creates the whole situation. The Winchester family’s wealth gives them power over Millie from day one. They can hire and fire her, control where she lives, and expect her to be available 24/7. The story examines how wealthy people can abuse those who work for them because the power dynamic is so unequal.
The Madwoman in the Attic Trope Flipped
The story also flips the “madwoman in the attic” trope from classic Gothic novels like Jane Eyre. Traditionally, that trope portrayed mentally ill women as dangerous and out of control. Here, the “madwoman” is actually a trauma victim, and the real monster is the charming, respectable man everyone trusts.
Female Solidarity
Finally, there’s a powerful theme of female solidarity. Despite starting as enemies, Nina and Millie end up working together to escape their abuser. The sequel books continue this theme, with both women helping other abuse survivors. It’s a story about women supporting each other rather than competing.
These themes make the story feel important, not just entertaining. It’s a thriller that makes you think while keeping you on the edge of your seat.
The Housemaid Series: What Comes Next?
Good news for fans—The Housemaid is just the beginning of a larger series.
Freida McFadden has already published two sequels:
- The Housemaid’s Secret (2023) follows Millie in a new housemaid position with another family hiding dark secrets
- The Housemaid is Watching (2024) continues Millie’s story with Enzo playing a bigger role
Both books have been bestsellers, though they haven’t quite matched the massive success of the original. Fans love following Millie’s journey as she helps other women escape abusive situations while dealing with her own complicated past.
And here’s the really exciting news: on January 6, 2026, Lionsgate officially announced they’re making a movie adaptation of The Housemaid’s Secret. Sydney Sweeney is returning as Millie, Michele Morrone is back as Enzo, and Paul Feig will direct again. Rebecca Sonnenshine is writing the screenplay.
Production is scheduled to begin in late 2026, which means the sequel movie could hit theaters sometime in 2027 if everything stays on schedule. Given how well the first movie performed at the box office, the studio is clearly confident in the franchise’s future.
There’s no word yet on whether they’ll eventually adapt the third book or if McFadden plans to write more books in the series. But for now, fans have plenty to look forward to.
Critical Reception: What Readers and Critics Are Saying
The Housemaid has sparked some interesting debates among readers and critics.
On Goodreads, the book has over 500,000 ratings with an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars. Readers love the addictive pacing and shocking twists. Common praise includes phrases like “couldn’t put it down,” “jaw-dropping twist,” and “perfect beach read.” However, some critics point out that the writing isn’t particularly literary and characters can feel one-dimensional.
There’s been a bit of BookTok controversy around the book. Some readers feel it’s overhyped and doesn’t live up to the massive praise it’s received. Others argue that while it might not be deep literature, it’s exactly what thriller fans want—fast-paced, twisted, and entertaining.
Professional critics have been kinder to the movie than some expected. Variety called it “wildly entertaining” post-feminist pulp fiction. The Hollywood Reporter praised the “operatic extremes” and shifting power dynamics. Roger Ebert’s site noted that while it has flaws, Amanda Seyfried’s performance makes it worth watching.
The Rotten Tomatoes scores tell an interesting story: critics gave it 75% (generally positive), but audiences gave it 92% (extremely positive). This suggests that everyday moviegoers are enjoying it more than professional reviewers, which isn’t unusual for genre thrillers.
Common Criticisms
- The plot requires some suspension of disbelief
- Some twists are predictable if you’re familiar with thriller conventions
- Sydney Sweeney’s performance is uneven
- The pacing drags in the middle section
Common Praise
- Amanda Seyfried is outstanding as Nina
- The movie captures the book’s trashy fun energy
- It’s a refreshing throwback to ’90s erotic thrillers
- The themes about abuse are handled respectfully despite the pulpy plotting
Overall, both the book and movie have found their audience. They’re not trying to be high art—they’re trying to be gripping, entertaining thrillers that make you think a bit. And for most fans, they absolutely deliver on that promise.
Should You Read the Book or Watch the Movie? Final Verdict
So after all this, should you read The Housemaid, watch it, or both?
Read the Book If You
- Love psychological thrillers with multiple twists
- Enjoy fast-paced reads you can finish in a day or two
- Want to experience the story’s darker, more brutal elements
- Are part of the BookTok community and want to join the conversation
- Prefer more time to get inside characters’ heads
- Plan to read the sequel books
Watch the Movie If You
- Prefer visual storytelling to reading
- Are a fan of Sydney Sweeney or Amanda Seyfried
- Want a quicker version of the story (about 2 hours vs. several hours of reading)
- Enjoy stylish, suspenseful thrillers with great acting
- Don’t mind some changes from the original story
- Love movies that remind you of ’90s thrillers like Single White Female
Do Both If You
- Want to compare how the story works in different formats
- Are a completionist who needs the full experience
- Love analyzing adaptations and what changes were made
- Can’t get enough of this twisted story
If You Loved The Housemaid, Try These Similar Books
- Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris
- Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
- The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn
- The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
- Other Freida McFadden thrillers
The bottom line? The Housemaid has earned its viral success. It’s a genuinely entertaining thriller that also explores important themes about abuse, power, and survival. Whether you experience it through the book, the movie, or both, you’re in for a wild, twisty ride that’ll keep you guessing.
Ready to Experience The Housemaid for Yourself?
Now that you know everything about this cultural phenomenon, it’s time to dive in and see what all the hype is about. Whether you grab the book from your local library, order it online, or head to theaters to catch the movie, you’re about to discover why millions of people can’t stop talking about this twisted thriller.
Have you already read the book or watched the movie? What did you think of the shocking twists? Drop a comment below and let’s discuss (spoiler-free, of course)! And if you’re looking for more thriller recommendations, book reviews, or movie breakdowns, make sure to subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates on the hottest new releases.
Happy reading (or watching)—and prepare to be shocked!
