Sydney Sweeney really needs a hit right now, and coming off the “Christy” debacle, she must be thanking her lucky stars that she already has another film lined up in December. Early tracking suggests it might be a mid-budget success.
Paul Feig’s “The Housemaid” stars Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried in a pulpy, trashy thriller that has started to screen slowly for critics ahead of its December 19 release. Internally, I’ve been told by a couple of critics that it’s actually a lot of fun. Maybe the reviews will turn out positive for this one.
Of course, the first reactions that have popped up for me about “The Housemaid” — below — shouldn’t be taken too seriously. But clearly, Lionsgate has confidence in this project, as they’ve allowed the social media embargo to break almost a month before the film’s release.
More good news for Sweeney — internal tracking for “The Housemaid” is actually very promising. The budget is reported to be only $35M, and it’s currently projected to earn $30M+ domestically on opening weekend.
I’m as surprised as you are. Then you find out that the film is based on an ultra-popular book, referred to as a “monster hit,” written by author Freida McFadden, and that $30M number starts to make sense. The book, which has been translated in forty languages, gained huge traction on social media — especially on TikTok — and has so far sold 4.5 million copies.
The trailer plays as salacious and kitschy — entirely watchable — and carries a distinct “A Simple Favor” vibe, unsurprising given that Feig also directed that film.
I spoke to someone who saw this film, and they mentioned the film had plenty of “titillating sex scenes,” which work less as narrative choices and more as a way of stripping the story of its Lifetime-movie sheen. The film gets graphic: topless shots, rear nudity, and by the finale, a turn into bloody, brutal violence.
It tracks the book almost verbatim — the husband is painted as an abusive, manipulative figure, while Seyfried plays herself increasingly unhinged, strategically positioning Sweeney as the innocent. The goal: to drive him toward a divorce, which would finally free her character from the cycle of abuse.
I don’t dislike Feig — he’s the director of “Bridesmaids,” “The Heat,” “A Simple Favor,” and “Spy” — but it’s been almost a decade since he’s made a genuinely good film. His last four efforts, “Last Christmas,” “The School for Good and Evil,” “Jackpot,” and “Another Simple Favor” were all critically panned, and let’s not forget he was also behind the much-maligned 2016 “Ghostbusters” reboot.
That said, I think he might have a genuine hit with “The Housemaid.” The film totally plays into his strengths as a filmmaker. Now, can Lionsgate please send me a screening invite?
I’m seeing plenty of “worst of the year” mentions for “Ice Cream Man,” which doesn’t surprise me one bit. Roth has never been a critical darling and has only been more burdened by that with each passing film.