This past week, on December 2nd, the highly anticipated premiere of 'The Housemaid' took over the iconic New York City, with a star-studded red carpet and a palpable buzz surrounding the film’s unique blend of psychological drama and suspense.
Based on Frieda McFadden’s best-selling novel, The Housemaid takes viewers on a thrilling, often diabolical, ride through a world where nothing is as it seems. Directed by the acclaimed Paul Feig, the film promises to captivate audiences with its unpredictable twists and complex characters.
© CourtesyAt the heart of this dark tale is a stellar cast, including Amanda Seyfried, Sydney Sweeney, Brandon Sklenar, and Michele Morrone, each bringing their own special touch to the project.
Amanda Seyfried stunned in a striking Versace dress, paired with Tiffany jewelry. But it was her portrayal of Nina, a complex character in The Housemaid, that truly piqued interest. "I read the script, and I was like, ‘Where do I sign?’" Seyfried recalled with excitement. "It was a Paul Feig movie, and I was already in." But what truly intrigued her was the role itself—Nina was a character unlike anything she had ever played before.
"It’s insane. I’ve never gotten to play somebody like her in my life. Not even close. It’s a diabolical, hard-to-place movie that doesn’t fit into any one genre, and that intrigued me."
© Manoli FigetakisSeyfried revealed that Feig's direction enabled her to add layers of unpredictability to her performance. "Paul would whisper little notes in my ear during scenes—things that nobody else could hear. It created this sense of freedom where I could go off-script, improvise, and really explore the character," she said, laughing. "Sometimes, I’d get so into it that I’d break things on set by accident! But it was cathartic and fun, and Sid [Sidney Sweeney] was right there with me, supporting me."
© Steve EichnerThere was undeniable chemistry between Seyfried and her co-star, Sidney Sweeney, even in the most intense moments. There’s a scene where she gets so close to Sweeney that they almost kiss. She was just there for it. here for it. She was terrified, but also curious to see where it was going. It created such tension, but it was magic.”
Outside of work, Seyfried shared her holiday plans, which include cozy family traditions. "I’m home for the holidays. We already got a tree. It's fun! My daughter and I are going on this trip to see my best friend. She's actually coming in this weekend to celebrate my birthday with me. Then, my daughter and I will go to North Carolina to spend New Year's with her, her husband, and their son. It's very fun. Lots of music.”
Sydney Sweeney, who plays one of the film’s key roles, looked stunning in a custom Miu Miu gown on the red carpet. She was also quick to express her admiration for the original The Housemaid novel.
"I’m obsessed with the book," she confessed. "The moment I opened it, I couldn’t put it down. I ended up listening to the audiobooks of the second and third installments while painting. I was obsessed; I loved it.”
Sweeney’s on-screen partnership with Amanda Seyfried was clearly a treasured experience for her. “Amanda is so good, and she brings something different to every take,” Sweeney gushed. "I never knew what she was going to do next, which made it exciting for me. It's so fun to watch her. I love her so much, and I love her even more now that I've worked with her. She's so funny and kind. I truly feel like I have the older sister I always wished I had. I was really fortunate to be able to work with her.”
© Steve EichnerOn a personal note, Sweeney shared her upcoming holiday plans, revealing that she’s not entirely sure where Christmas will take her, but she’s leaning toward a getaway. "I don't have any New Year's plans. I don't know what I'm going to do yet, but I kind of want to travel for Christmas. I don't know where, but I kind of want to travel. Will see.”
Michele Morrone, known for his role in 365 Days, brought his undeniable charm to The Housemaid, playing a character who kept audiences guessing. When asked about the role, Morrone explained that he was drawn to the script because of his character’s mysterious nature. “You don’t really know if he’s a good guy or a bad guy,” he said. "Nothing is as it seems, and that’s what I loved about the character."
© Manoli Figetakis"I don’t judge (how people see me) but people should see what's inside more than the outside. I believe that sometimes it is more sexy what someone has inside than outside, because the inside lasts forever.”
Like his co-stars, Morrone appreciated the creative freedom Paul Feig gave the cast. "Paul allowed us to explore our characters in ways that felt authentic," he said. “I was trying to fight the weirdest part of myself and put it out there. And that’s why I had so much fun, because I had to discover a lot of myself, like being weird in some way. And actually, I think I like my weird part.”
© Dia DipasupilDespite his growing fame, Morrone also spoke about the challenge of balancing work with personal time. "It’s hard because I’m constantly on the go. I’m in New York for the premiere, but in two days, I’ll be back in Rome shooting my new film called I Blame It on Rome with Gabrielle Union," he shared.
When asked about being labeled a "sex symbol," Morrone offered a thoughtful perspective. "I don’t judge (how people see me) but people should see what's inside more than the outside. I believe that sometimes it is more sexy what someone has inside than outside, because the inside lasts forever.”
