'The Housemaid' trailer is one dark, twisted mind game

Set to the deceivingly upbeat sound of Sabrina Carpenter’s “Please Please Please,” the trailer alludes that perfection is merely an illusion. Looking for a fresh start, Millie quickly accepts a position as a live-in housemaid for the affluent Winchester family. Things take an unsettling turn when it becomes clear that all is not well behind closed doors. That’s largely thanks to Seyfried’s character, Nina.

The trailer becomes increasingly intense as we see Nina’s unhinged nature, switching between emotions on a whim. One scene has her screaming and throwing things at Millie one second, then crying and calmly telling her to “be more careful” the next. Things only become more terrifying as we catch glimpses of Nina holding what seems to be a bloodied shard of glass. Another shot has her standing next to police lights. The trailer wraps up with a blood-strewn Sweeney proclaiming she “needs a f-king sandwich.”

Written by Rebecca Sonnenshine and directed by Paul Feig (A Simple Favor), The Housemaid is “a sexy, seductive game of secrets, scandal, and power.” Frieda McFadden gives the adaptation a big thumbs up from, claiming the movie captures everything readers loved about the book. Joining the cast is It Ends With Us‘ Brandon Sklenar and 365 Days‘ Michele Morrone.

A twisted series of events, The Housemaid looks as unsettling as it does entertaining. The psychological thriller hits theaters on December 19, 2025.