The Housemaid: A Messy Thriller That Never Clicks

You kind of know what to expect from a movie like this—glossy melodrama, heightened tension, a little bit of steam—but for some reason, it never really clicks. Instead of leaning into its chaos with confidence, the film feels like a bad high school film project trying way too hard to be provocative and edgy without earning any of it.

The first half actually has a decent hook. There’s a setup that suggests something pulpy and entertaining could unfold, but it quickly stalls. The pacing drags, scenes stretch on far too long, and the tone wavers between serious drama and cheap soap opera. At times, it plays out like a low-budget telenovela, complete with exaggerated confrontations and dialogue that feels more rehearsed than lived-in.

Sydney Sweeney does what she can with the material and delivers a serviceable performance, but she’s working uphill. Meanwhile, Brendan Sklenar and Amanda Seyfried turn in performances that are surprisingly flat and awkward, lacking the emotional weight the story desperately needs. The chemistry across the board feels forced, which makes the film’s more intimate and erotic scenes fall completely flat. Instead of being tense or provocative, they’re oddly mechanical and uncomfortable.

Adding to the confusion are some baffling song choices that feel wildly out of place, pulling you out of the moment rather than enhancing it. The characters themselves are thinly written and uninteresting, giving you very little reason to care about what happens to them.

The second half cranks up the insanity and leans into its twists, but by then, the damage is done. The final twist isn’t shocking or clever — it’s just dumb. And by the time it arrives, you’re less surprised than relieved it’s finally over.