Cô Hâu Gái

I never expect very much when I watch a Vietnamese movie. Most of the time they are not that great due to overacting and things like that. But with The Housemaid I never had that feeling, on the contrary I thought all the actors were good for once. For the horror part I was expecting more though. Okay it's a bit dark and there are some good passages but the movie could have used more of those moments. The story wasn't bad either. It came even with a twist that I didn't see coming and that's always good. I would not go that far that I would watch it again but it's worth a watch. When it's about Asian movies the Korean ones are definitely the best ones but this Vietnamese one was better then I expected it to be.

With elements of master-servant romantic relationships in both the Korean film of the same name and Vietnam's superior "Scent of Green Papaya," like those movies, this solid movie does much with very little. What seems like a simple haunting with romantic overtones turns into an epic tale underpinning a much larger morality tale of retribution for colonial injustice. While too slow for many Westerners, this movie makes the most of what it has, never overplaying but keeping viewers guessing. Don't get too comfortable or bored because the whole thing wraps up in a tight, illuminating ending that resonates after the credits. You'll be glad you stay until the end. But be warned: if you were looking for easy romance or obvious horror, you're likely to be disappointed. There's much more to "The Housemaid" than kisses and scares.

So the movie in it's entire run was a really good story. If you happen to get that far. I was tempted to shut it off at times either because it was too slow paced and seemed to go nowhere or i found myself asking why was i watching it. I did end up fast forwarding through some parts though. Also the adding in of the everyones footsteps after filming really threw me off. So that being said, it was a really good story and once you figure out the whole mystery you'll say to yourself "wow that really was a good story". Again if you've even gotten that far. I wouldn't put this in the horror category though. I watched it at night, in the dark and not once did i feel scared.

If you're into ghost stories with a romance and a mystery this one is for you. If you're looking to get scared, i'd look elsewhere.

As a Vietnamese myself I never care about the film industry in Vietnam cause they often produce way too many awful movie so to see a movie especially my favorite genre horror from my homeland get the attention from the West is awesome but at the same time I'm not biased at all when review The Housemaid cause it still a genetic Asian horror movie with the usual twitching dark woman.It not scary and the mellow drama not helping anything but I will give props to the director for trying the best he can to deliver a enjoyable horror movie without the bad taste joke or over the top acting I usually see in a Vietnam movie

Not especially original or innovative but given the beautifully shot Vietnamese locales this turns out to be a very watchable variation on a theme. The main interiors of the wonderful colonial dwelling also make for a sumptuous setting. Slightly unsettling for an English viewer is that the mix of local Vietnamese and English speakers actually represents the indigenous people and the French invaders at the time of the conflict in the early 50s in what was then known as Indo China. Once we accept the English speakers are French rubber plantation owners with a bad history the scene is set for spooky goings on in the lovely old house and the fantastic and scenic woods and surrounding area. Bit reminiscent of those 60s Japanese ghost story films but more explicit and more sexy. Very enjoyable and if not full of surprises, the ending probably will be.