Is Sydney Sweeney's 'The Housemaid' a direct adaptation of the book? Freida McFadden's novel's plot twist explained
Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried-starrer 'The Housemaid' continues to generate buzz. The Paul Feig thriller, based on Freida McFadden’s 2022 novel of the same name, stars Sweeney as Millie, a young woman hired as a housekeeper for a rich Winchester family. Things go awry for the 'Christy' star when the matriarch, Nina (Seyfried), isn't who she seems to be. In what comes as a major turn, Millie has her secrets, too.
The latest trailer for the film promises major drama, with one of the scenes hinting at the movie seeing some significant body count. Other scenes in the clip offer a glimpse of Nina's characteristics, as well as a flash of Millie's secret. Ahead of the film's release, speculations are rife about whether the movie follows the same plot twist from McFadden's work.
For those unaware (spoilers to follow), the book starts with Millie getting a job to work for the Winchesters after her release from prison. While Nina initially comes across as a warm personality, her behaviour towards Millie changes. From accusations to chores that set Millie to fail, Nina appears to be bent on getting the better of her housemaid. In what comes as a major difference-maker, Nina's husband, Andrew ( Brandon Sklenar in the film), shows kindness to Millie, and the relationship between the two turns into an affair.
The reveal of the affair sees Nina move out of the house. While Millie and Andrew appear to get along well, the latter's behaviour changes as he turns abusive and controlling. The twist comes when Millie realizes that her hire was part of an elaborate plan by Nina to escape from Andrew. The book's perspective switches to Nina, who offers more insight into Andrew's past. Following their marriage, she was subjected to immense torture at his hands, leaving Nina to bring in a housemaid to replace her as his victim.
To add, she also knew about Millie's past and her time behind bars after she attempted to kill a man who attempted to rape her friend. Looking at Millie as the ideal candidate to replace her, Nina's cards were played right after Millie locked up Andrew when he attempted to punish her. She leaves him to die, making the whole thing look like an unfortunate incident.
At the time of writing, it's unclear whether the movie is a direct adaptation or if it decides to add some twists in the mix. Only time will tell when 'The Housemaid' releases December 19, 2025.
