Pop Culture Happy Hour The Housemaid
Dec 22, 2025
Jordan Cruciola, a writer and producer known for her work on the podcast Feeling Seen, and Roxana Haddadi, a Vulture TV critic, dive into the twisty thriller The Housemaid. They discuss Sydney Sweeney's intriguing role and Amanda Seyfried's scene-stealing performance. The conversation explores the film’s campy tone, its ability to thrive in theaters with audience energy, and the complex dynamics between the two lead characters. Their insights highlight why this bizarre thriller is a must-see for fans of the genre.
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Camp Revitalizes The Domestic Thriller
- The Housemaid deliberately blends campy, pulpy thrills with serious domestic-thriller beats to entertaining effect.
- Roxana Haddadi argues this tonal wink revitalizes a genre that had grown overly somber.
Paul Feig's Paperback Thriller Lane
- Paul Feig operates in a pulp, 'airport paperback' mode that foregrounds female rivalry and campy menace.
- Jordan Cruciola calls this Paul Feig's most enjoyable strand, similar to A Simple Favor's tone and energy.
A Theatrical Crowd Enhances the Experience
- The film gains energy from communal theatrical viewing where audiences react aloud to its shocks and jokes.
- Aisha Harris and guests emphasize seeing The Housemaid with a crowd to amplify its pleasures.