La Empleada

Homeless, jobless and just released from a ten year prison sentence for manslaughter Millie (Sydney Sweeney) accepts an unexpected position as a housemaid in the wealthy Winchester household in Nassau, Long Island. The behaviour of mother of one Nina (Amanda Seyfried) then becomes increasingly erratic and abusive towards Millie at the same time as a relationship starts to develop between Millie and Nina's husband Andrew (Brandon Sklenar). Desperate not to lose her job, which carries the risk of a return to gaol, Millie is taken on a terrifying psychological rollercoaster ride in which seemingly nothing is as it first appears. Filmed in New Jersey this 2025 feature film is a psychological mystery thriller based on the novel by Freida McFadden (as adapted for the screen by the hilariously named Rebecca Sonnenshine), and directed by Paul Feig, having the same kind of twisting and turning plot as Feig's impressive 'A Simple Favour'. Visceral, contrived, at times unconvincing, more than a touch operatic, tinged with occasional humour, and extremely manipulative as a story (one of the film's main themes of course is manipulation) the film deals with a number of themes and issues including gender, class, silent hidden victims (whether through exploitation in employment or domestic partner abuse), and the socially damaging effects of the so called 'justice system' (stigma, discrimination, amongst other things) and mental health system (the common problem of misdiagnosis - and worse - by doctors). And like any good thriller of this sort it saves one of it's twists til the end, involving Andrew's mum Evelyn (Elizabeth Perkins).

Hate to be cliche and be another one who says "the book is better than the movie!!" But that truly is the case here.

The first half of the movie felt like a weird low budget film that was just trying to set up a scene of Sydney Sweeney topless. It was weird vibes and just really felt rushed until her intimate scene.

After that, it actual felt like the real thriller story it should have been.

With that said, maybe I'm just not a Sydney Sweeney fan... I found her acting to be so dry and dull. Amanda on the other hand saved the entire film and was great.

The film overall was bleh. If I hadn't read the book, I would think it was fine. But remembering how into the book I was, it fell short for me. I wouldn't rewatch it.

This film is good, entertaining, solid, and cheesy fun, with just enough serious and surprisingly complex storylines to appeal to both mainstream audiences and lighter film critics. It builds steadily toward a crescendo--perhaps more than one-with a handful of well-timed twists and turns that should satisfy popcorn-loving moviegoers from college age to adulthood.

None of the performances are likely to earn an Academy Award, but the cast does a credible job portraying desperate, flawed, and occasionally unhinged characters. The film is helped along by its beautiful setting, striking home, and an ensemble of attractive actors, which carry it through a few moments where the plot flirts with jumping the shark on believability.

Still, enough thought and structure have gone into the screenplay to make it feel like one of the twist-heavy domestic dramas of past decades, rather than a throwaway thriller. The pacing holds, the stakes escalate,& the film largely earns its moments of excess.

As a huge fan of the book, the movie didn't disappoint me at all! The character portrayals were spot on. Especially Seyfrieds performance as Nina, hand her that Oscar already!!!

I still prefer the book. But the movie actually lived up to my expectations & maybe even more!

I think I actually prefer the ending of the movie over the ending of the book!

The film follows a young woman who becomes a housemaid for a wealthy family. Soon the housemaid finds out that there's more than meets the eye.

What carries this film are the three central performances from Sweeney, Seyfried, and Sklenar. Seyfried is a particular standout, aptly balancing instability here in the first part of the film, and a kind of charm and gentleness later. It's also nice that the two female leads aren't just ditzy and have some interiority.

As long as you don't take it too seriously, you'll have a good time. The suspense, tension, and dread ratchet up slowly until it reaches an explosive, satisfying ending. The twists are shocking and unexpected. The film is unpredictable and pleasingly chaotic at times. (Disclaimer: I didn't read the source material.) The action scenes are cool and at times graphic, and the romance is hot.

This is not only a fun little thriller, but it also has some substance to it. It can be cathartic and poignant at points. It's not often that mainstream films portray domestic violence in the upper echelons of society, and this film does that while simultaneously offering an entertaining time. I myself was in an abusive relationship not too long ago, with a good-looking, successful, and wealthy person similar to the abuser depicted in this film, that lasted for several years. Like the family in this film, we lived in the suburbs where no one suspected a thing, but of course underneath that manicured exterior he was abusing me. It was relatable and refreshing to see my experience represented on screen.

Mind you, this film is by no means perfect. It feels campy and cheesy for much of the runtime due to the extremity of some actions taken by characters. And the couple sex scenes feel gratuitous. But at the same time, that can all be forgiven as the extremeness and high tension only adds to the fun in this little popcorn flick.

And for those who've been in abusive relationships, particularly with wealthy partners, this film offers the added benefit of being therapeutic. You should know that you're not alone, that there is help out there, and you can always leave the abuse behind.

Enjoy this throwback to the thrillers of the 90s. It's fun.