Why Was the Ending of “The Housemaid” Changed? How the Movie Strayed from the Book
- - Why Was the Ending of “The Housemaid” Changed? How the Movie Strayed from the Book
Emily BlackwoodDecember 20, 2025 at 9:30 AM
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Daniel McFadden/Lionsgate
Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried in 'The Housemaid.' -
The Housemaid, a thriller film adapted from Freida McFadden’s 2022 novel, premiered on Dec. 19
It starred Sydney Sweeney as a down-on-her-luck housemaid who's hired by a wealthy woman harboring a dark secret, played by Amanda Seyfried
Though the film stays true to most of the book, the ending was expanded to include a far more dramatic conclusion for one character
The Housemaid's ending was shocking, even for those who read the book.
Adapted from Freida McFadden’s 2022 bestselling thriller, the film follows Millie (Sydney Sweeney), a young woman who takes a job as a housemaid for wealthy couple Nina (Amanda Seyfried) and Andrew Winchester (Brandon Sklenar). As she settles into the family's seemingly perfect home, Millie soon learns that their twisted power dynamics — and her own dark past — may turn her fresh start into something far more perilous.
Ahead of the movie's Dec. 19 theatrical release, director Paul Feig opened up about what he did and didn't change when bringing McFadden's twisty tale to the big screen.
"I try to be very, very true to the book," he told PEOPLE. "And so, we were pretty good at kind of following everything. The things we changed were things that we wanted to be a little more cinematic."
One of those cinematic updates in question was the ending. While the major twist of The Housemaid remained the same, the fate of one character was far more gory in the film adaptation.
So, why was the ending of The Housemaid changed? Here's everything to know about the movie's alternate ending and what it means for the franchise's future.
Warning: The Housemaid spoilers ahead!
How do The Housemaid book and movie endings differ?
Daniel McFadden/Lionsgate
Sydney Sweeney in 'The Housemaid.'
In both McFadden’s novel and Feig’s film adaptation, the central twist remains the same: Andrew is revealed to be an abusive husband who regularly imprisoned Nina in the attic. Both versions include Millie ultimately turning the tables by locking Andrew in the attic instead.
In the book, Millie leaves Andrew trapped without food or water, and he eventually dies after torturing himself, per Millie's demands. Nina, encouraged by Enzo, returns to the house believing Millie is the one locked upstairs, only to discover Andrew’s body instead.
She urges Millie to flee and later lies to the police, claiming that her housekeeper has been away. She lucks out when an officer with personal ties to Andrew’s abusive past decides to quietly look the other way.
The film takes a more violent approach to Andrew’s death. When Nina opens the attic door, expecting to rescue Millie, Andrew emerges and attacks both women. During a brutal confrontation on the staircase, Andrew tries to convince Nina to take him back. But when he lunges at her, Millie delivers a final shove that sends him falling to his death.
After that moment, the movie largely aligns with the novel’s ending. Nina and her daughter leave town, Andrew’s history of abuse comes to light and Millie teases her future as a hitwoman for hire.
Why was the ending of The Housemaid changed?
Daniel McFadden/Lionsgate
Amanda Seyfried in 'The Housemaid.'
Though the movie closely follows the book, Feig told The Direct in December 2025 that he wanted to "expand the ending."
"The book ends very satisfyingly for a book, but not satisfyingly enough for a movie," the Bridesmaids director said. He added that there was still a "monster in the house," and how Millie executed that monster wasn't "harsh enough" for a "bloodthirsty" audience.
"The structure is already there," Feig explained. "So what I wanted to play with is how much I could fool the audience for an hour, because what's great about that story, that Freida McFadden wrote, is she makes you root for everything that you should not be rooting for, and then she makes you pay the price. That's where the fun comes in, retribution."
What has Freida McFadden said about the new ending?
Dia Dipasupil/Getty
Freida McFadden in 2025.
In September 2025, McFadden shared an early review of the adaptation on her Instagram and wrote that she thought it "was better than the book." The author later clarified her reasoning to PEOPLE during the New York premiere of The Housemaid.
“I just thought the end was so exciting, and it really made the whole thing go out with a bang,” she said at the December 2025 event. “I can't give out any details about it, but I just loved it.”
What has Paul Feig said about the new ending?
Dia Dipasupil/Getty
Paul Feig
At the Los Angeles premiere for The Housemaid, Feig opened up about how fun it was to "screw with the audience" about a story many of the viewers know well.
“The book is out; all you have to do is go to the bookstore and you know the twist,” the director told The Hollywood Reporter in December 2025. "But we added a new ending, so the people who love the book, you get more. ... There’s things that work in the book that are really satisfying, but on the big screen you always want more."
Without giving away too many spoilers, Feig added that there were relationships he "wanted to have a final button on."
Will there be a sequel to The Housemaid?
Courtesy of Lionsgate
Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney in 'The Housemaid.'
Though McFadden has written three books and one short story in the series, an official announcement hasn't been made about a sequel to the film. However, Feig told The Direct that the movie is set up so that anything is possible.
"We've talked about it," he admitted. "I love the character, Millie, and Millie is set up very well to have more adventures, and Freida wrote more books. So, yeah. I mean, we'll see how this movie does, that's it all. It all hangs on that."
McFadden has also expressed her interest in continuing to adapt her books for the big screen. "That would be a dream," she told PEOPLE. "I know Paul Feig would do an amazing job in the sequel. He’s incredible."
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
