I’m Trevor with the Sasquatch Movie Minute with our January movie reviews taking a look at THE HOUSEMAID, directed by Paul Feig, Sydney Sweeney plays a woman with a dark past who is hired as a housemaid for a wealthy couple played by Amanda Seyrfried and Brandon Sklenar who may be hiding secrets.

 

2.5 out of 5

 

I had fun with this movie. it has some highs where the movie is just as trashy and crazy-town as it promises, but then some bizarre lows where the momentum comes to a screeching halt and even basic plot narrative is glossed over to get you to the next scene. This reminded me of a much worse GONE GIRL (which is a great movie) when it should have reminded me more of HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE.

 

Best Scene. The ending! The wrap-up of the narrative is wildly uneven, but then in the last moments, the film suggests a sly, frankly bonkers next chapter that feels exciting. It makes me want to see the next movie! I also loved when a shot of Seyfried driving is revisited after the twist, it’s an unhinged moment that made me smile.

 

Performance. Amanda Seyfried knows exactly what kind of movie this is and she is gloriously demented and weird. I looked forward to every scene with her. But Ok, people need to stop casting Sydney Sweeney as a meek character, she just can’t pull it off. When she is asked to have some strength and fire like in IMMACULATE or WHITE LOTUS, she is good, and except for a few late moments here, she is wiped off the screen by Seyfried. I love Brandon Sklenar in 1923, but he is terrible in this. Maybe there is a larger point to be made about his banality, but if the filmmakers are trying for a meta commentary, it just doesn’t work.

 

Lukewarm recommendation. Turn your brain off, have some wine, don’t expect much.