The Housemaid: Schlocky Thriller or Feminist Gem?

The Housemaid: Schlocky Thriller or Feminist Gem?

The Housemaid , a 2025 psychological thriller directed by Paul Feig and starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried , has divided critics and audiences alike — some praising its twisty entertainment, others questioning whether it delivers meaningful commentary beneath its glossy surface. Guilty Pleasure or Stylish Suspense? At first glance, The Housemaid delivers all the hallmarks of a pulpy thriller: creepy mansions, escalating psychodrama , melodramatic twists, and campy energy reminiscent of ’90s genre fare.  Many reviewers lean into this tone, calling it a fun, stylish, and “high‑trash” ride that revels in suspense and outrageous characters rather than subtlety.  Some critics explicitly label the film as schlocky entertainment — a mixture of tension and absurdity that bears similarities to mainstream thrillers like Gone Girl but doesn’t always land its serious themes convincingly. Feminist Readings Beneath the Surface Yet others argue there’s more here than pure pulpy fun. Some analyses — …