It’s not every day that one of your favourite books makes it to the big screen—and when it does, the excitement is next level.
I first picked up a Frieda McFadden book about two years ago, starting with The Housemaid. Like so many readers, I found myself utterly hooked. McFadden’s writing is addictive—fast-paced, twist filled, and impossible to put down. That one book turned into a binge. Since then, I’ve devoured every single title she’s written. And I’m not alone. McFadden has amassed a cult following of thriller lovers who thrive on the gasp out loud reveals and morally grey characters she writes so well.
Now, McFadden’s most iconic novel is stepping off the page and onto the screen.
The Trailer Drops—and It’s Deliciously Dark
Lionsgate has released the first trailer for The Housemaid, and if the sneak peek is anything to go by, audiences are in for a wild ride. Directed by Paul Feig (A Simple Favor, Ghostbusters), the film stars Sydney Sweeney as Millie—a young woman desperate for a fresh start after a troubled past—and Amanda Seyfried as Nina Winchester, the enigmatic and elegant woman who hires her to work as a live-in maid.
At first, everything seems too good to be true. The Winchester family, complete with a handsome husband (Brandon Sklenar) and a picture perfect home, appears idyllic. But the eerie tension begins to build from the moment Millie steps inside their mansion.
There’s a miniature dollhouse that mirrors the real house—complete with a tiny replica of Millie. There’s a haunting image of Nina smiling while holding a bloody shard of mirror. And there are moments where Millie’s sweet exterior slips, revealing something darker lurking beneath her need to stay employed at all costs.
“I need this job. I can’t lose it. I don’t want to go back,” Millie says in a voiceover, setting the stakes for a psychological tug-of-war that plays out between employer and employee.
A Killer Cast and a Sinister Soundtrack
Both Sweeney (Euphoria) and Seyfried (The Dropout, Mamma Mia!) bring serious star power to the screen, and according to Feig, their chemistry and dynamic are electric.
“They are both such powerful talents and work so well off each other,” Feig shared in an interview. “It’s thrilling to see their interplay as the Millie-Nina relationship changes over the course of the film.”
The trailer also features a haunting remix of Sabrina Carpenter’s Please Please Please, which somehow fits perfectly alongside the visuals of sharp glances, smashed glass, and blood-spattered porcelain.
And while the trailer hints at many of the book’s twists, the film promises a few surprises even for long-time fans. “We’re very respectful of the book,” Feig said, “but then we got a few surprises.”
A Must-Watch for Fans and First-Timers Alike
If you’ve already read The Housemaid, this trailer will send a thrill down your spine. And if you haven’t? There’s still time to grab a copy before the movie hits theatres on December 19.
Whether you’re a devoted member of the Frieda McFadden fan club or just in the mood for a sharp psychological thriller, The Housemaid looks set to deliver edge of your-seat suspense with a dash of glamour and plenty of secrets behind closed doors.
