The Housemaid scrubs, sweeps and kills at the box office

Going into The Housemaid my excitement level was between "mild curiosity" and “what do I have to lose?"  Sydney Sweeney hasn’t exactly wowed me in her past roles but with the cinematic landscape quite sparse I was feeling slightly underwhelmed.  Two hours later I emerged from the theater buzzing.  The Housemaid is a 90’s style thriller that utilizes utter chaos perfectly.   Amanda Seyfried, as Nina Winchester, is absolute dynamite.  She plays a character so bubbly and unhinged it’s like watching a champagne bottle with the cork barely hanging on.  Sydney Sweeney’s performance, on the other hand, can be summed in three words:  Oh, sweet vindication!  Turns out all Sweeney needed was the right role.  Watching her character Millie try to rebuild her life was messy and compelling which kept the pacing of the film on point.  This film boasts a major A Simple Favor vibe with its gloss, mystery and dark humour.  Nevertheless, what stole the show for me was the Gone Girl twist that I did not see coming.  As the two female leads take turns narrating their alternating perspectives, the film really cranks up the tension.  The real kicker involves Sweeney, a knife and a moment that had the entire theatre leaning forward.  That final image was both empowering and a complete crowd pleaser especially in an audience that leaned heavily toward the female persuasion.  This Equalizer-style finale had me saying “sequel please” even before the credits began to roll.  I was so captivated that I practically sprinted to Indigo to buy the book.  The Housemaid isn’t just a movie; it’s a series of twists and turns that will stick with you for days to come.  Consider me thoroughly entertained.  I’m still not convinced Sydney Sweeney is a great actress but for once, I can see the argument.