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Lionsgate has announced that The Housemaid, the glossy psychological thriller headlined by Amanda Seyfried and Emmy nominee Sidney Sweeney, will arrive on digital platforms on February 3. The announcement comes as the film continues a strong theatrical run, having grossed roughly 305 million dollars worldwide against a reported 35 million dollar budget — a striking return that has made the film one of this season's sleeper hits.
What the film is about
The Housemaid follows Millie, who takes a live-in job at the sprawling home of wealthy couple Nina and Andrew Winchester to start fresh. What begins as an enviable opportunity quickly spirals into a tense, dangerous game of secrets, scandal, and control. The film trades in the slow-burn tension and domestic claustrophobia familiar to fans of modern psychological thrillers, leading to twists that keep audiences guessing until the final act.
Cast, creators, and source material
Directed by Paul Feig and adapted by Rebecca Sonnenshine from Frida McFadden's 2022 bestseller, the film pairs Seyfried and Sweeney’s star power with a supporting cast that includes Brandon Sklenar, Michele Morrone, Elizabeth Perkins, and Megan Ferguson. Both Sweeney and Seyfried also serve as executive producers, a sign of the actors’ deeper creative involvement behind the scenes.
Why it matters
For Paul Feig, best known for comedies like Bridesmaids and The Heat, this film marks a deliberate move into darker territory, echoing recent industry trends where established directors blur the line between prestige and popular genre cinema. The Housemaid’s commercial success and respectable 74% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes (from 194 reviews) show there is still strong appetite for stylish, star-driven psychological thrillers in theaters and on VOD.
Comparisons are inevitable: viewers who enjoyed the slow-burn domestic suspense of Gone Girl or the atmospheric menace of Rebecca may find much to like here, while fans of The Handmaiden will appreciate layered power dynamics and a focus on intimate set pieces. At the same time, Feig’s approach retains a glossy, modern sheen that differentiates it from more austere arthouse thrillers.
Behind the scenes, observers have noted the film’s meticulous production design and tight editing, which help sell the illusion of perfection that the story systematically dismantles. The decision to move to digital after a robust theatrical window reflects current distribution patterns where theatrical success boosts VOD visibility and streaming licensing value.
Whether you plan to catch it in theaters before February 3 or wait for the digital release, The Housemaid is a compelling example of genre filmmaking that balances mainstream appeal with psychological complexity.
Short final note: If you like mysteries driven by character and atmosphere rather than jump scares, this one is worth a watch.
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