The Housemaid (2025) - Flawed moments, but ultimately pretty good

'The Housemaid' was a lot darker than I imaged (as I didn't really know much about it prior to seeing it in the cinema) and I think its biggest plus point in the strength of its performances, even if it occasionally stumbles in its storytelling. While the film positions Sydney Sweeney firmly at its center, delivering a decent leading performance, it’s Amanda Seyfried who ultimately steals the show. Every time she appears on screen (well, mainly for the first three quarters), the film gains an extra layer of unpredictability and intensity, making her presence impossible to ignore.

Where 'The Housemaid' shines most is in its atmosphere. There are several genuinely tense and powerful sequences that linger long after they’ve ended.  However, the film isn’t without flaws. It does drag in places, particularly around the three quarter mark, where the pacing slackens and the momentum falters. Some plot developments feel less like organic character decisions and more like narrative conveniences—moments that exist purely to steer the story in a specific direction rather than reflecting how people might realistically behave. These issues don’t derail the film, but they do blunt its impact slightly.  And, there's a moment that happens about five minutes before the end that I felt was almost too unbelievable to take.  In fact, I try not to think about it too deeply as it's just so unrealistic that it almost completely derails the film's believability in once go.

Despite these shortcomings, 'The Housemaid' remains a well-acted and often gripping thriller. Its dark tone, strong performances - especially from Seyfried - and exhibits moments of genuine tension making it an engaging watch overall. If you’re in the mood for something unsettling and character-driven, it’s an enjoyable, if imperfect, watch.

7/10