The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast The Housemaid with Paul Feig and Lesli Linka Glatter (Ep. 598)
Jan 14, 2026
Paul Feig, renowned for his unique blend of comedy and drama, discusses his latest film, The Housemaid, alongside director Lesli Linka Glatter. They delve into the intentional casting of Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney, revealing how their on-screen chemistry enhances the narrative. Feig shares insights into the meticulous scouting of a 1908 Gothic house that shaped the film's scenes, and his approach to balancing humor with suspense. The duo also highlights the importance of close-ups in conveying characters' emotions, making for a fascinating conversation about filmmaking.
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Restoring Shocking Book Moments
- Paul Feig described how Rebecca Sonenshine's adaptation existed but he reinserted key scenes from the book like the tooth-pulling to preserve water-cooler moments.
- He also altered the book ending to create a more cinematic "monster in the house" finale that increased stakes on screen.
Designing The Attic As A Character
- Feig recounted finding and building sets: the Laura Ashley–styled attic was built to flip from cute to institutional under harsh light and mounted on chains for breakdown scenes.
- The attic and stair elements were separate builds married in editing to achieve the film's symmetrical, claustrophobic framing.
Discovery Of The Fatal Staircase
- While scouting a 1908 Gothic house in New Jersey, Feig and his producer realized the staircase itself could be the climactic kill location.
- They tested with an articulate dummy to confirm the fall would be lethal and rewrote the climax around that staircase.
