Paul Feig Explains Why Sydney Sweeney’s ‘The Housemaid’ Is a Perfect Christmas Movie [Exclusive]

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Scheduled for release during the holidays, The Housemaid is being touted by director Paul Feig as a perfect Christmas movie. The thriller, based on Freida McFadden’s popular novel, stars Amanda Seyfried, Brandon Sklenar, Michele Morrone, and Elizabeth Perkins. Rebecca Sonnenshine wrote the screenplay, and this marks another foray into the thriller genre for Feig, following his successful film A Simple Favor.

In The Housemaid, Millie (played by Sweeney) takes a job as a live-in maid for the Winchesters (Seyfried and Sklenar). As the story unfolds, the seemingly perfect home reveals dark secrets and unexpected twists that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. While some might question if this suspenseful story fits the Christmas movie mold, the director assures audiences that it does.

In a recent conversation with MovieWeb, director Paul Feig shared that his new film, The Housemaid, captures the stressful side of the holidays, describing it as full of “roiling tension.” He also hinted that the movie’s surprising plot twists will keep audiences guessing until the very end, like a hidden present waiting to be unwrapped.

Paul Feig points out that while Christmas is typically portrayed as a joyful time with happy imagery and family togetherness, it often masks underlying tension that people feel pressured to hide. He believes his movie offers a cathartic release for that suppressed tension, allowing viewers to experience vicarious retribution and revenge, ultimately leaving them feeling more balanced when they return to their own families.

Michele Morrone explained the film is meant to be surprising. Viewers might think they know what’s going to happen, but they’ll be caught off guard. He compared it to Christmas, where the best part is receiving an unexpected gift.

Paul Feig compared the experience to opening a gift – you never know what you’re going to get, whether it’s something wonderful or something terrible.

‘The Housemaid’ Faces Stiff Holiday Box Office Competition


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The thriller The Housemaid is scheduled for release on December 19th, aiming to attract holiday movie fans. However, it will face strong competition from Avatar: Fire and Ash, which opens on the same day. While the new Avatar film might not match the success of previous installments, it’s still expected to be a major box office draw. Additionally, recent films starring Anya Sweeney haven’t performed well, which could also impact The Housemaid‘s success in theaters.

Though very different from the big-budget action of Avatar, The Housemaid offers a choice for viewers who prefer thrillers. It’s just one of many new films debuting on Christmas Day, alongside charming comedies like Marty Supreme starring Timothée Chalamet, and the reboot of Anaconda with Jack Black and Paul Rudd. The holidays are usually a great time for movies, and despite the competition, The Housemaid has the potential to succeed thanks to its talented cast and compelling story, offering fans another solid thriller from director Feig.

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2025-12-08 14:49