With shocking twists, unfinished business, and a bestselling book trilogy behind it, the psychological thriller hints at becoming a full-fledged franchise
After a final act packed with deception, violence, and moral ambiguity, The Housemaid doesn’t just end — it lingers. The psychological thriller, now playing in theaters, closes with an unmistakable suggestion that the story of Millie Calloway is far from over, and its stars Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney are more than open to returning should a sequel move forward.
⚠️ Spoilers ahead.
Based on Freida McFadden’s 2022 bestselling novel, The Housemaid follows Millie (Sweeney), a seemingly down-on-her-luck domestic worker who takes a job in the pristine home of Andrew and Nina Winchester. What begins as a tense employer-employee dynamic quickly unravels into something far darker. Millie ultimately discovers that Andrew (Brandon Sklenar) is a sadistic abuser — and that Nina (Seyfried) hired her as part of an elaborate, desperate plan to escape him.
The film crescendos with Millie killing Andrew to save Nina. Rather than turning her in, Nina helps Millie cover it up, rewards her with a substantial payout, and even secures her another housekeeping interview before disappearing to California to start anew.
But the final moments make it clear that Millie’s journey may be evolving into something far more dangerous. During her next interview, the prospective employer subtly reveals bruises on her arms — and ominously toys with her kitchen knives — suggesting she may be seeking more than just cleaning services. The implication is chilling: Millie may now be seen as a solution to problems far deadlier than dust and disorder.
A Built-In Franchise Waiting to Happen
That open-ended conclusion aligns neatly with the source material. McFadden’s novel is the first in a trilogy, followed by The Housemaid’s Secret (2023) and The Housemaid Is Watching (2024). With two more books ready for adaptation, the cinematic future of The Housemaid feels intentionally poised.
Ahead of the film’s release, Entertainment Weekly asked both leads about the possibility of continuing the story. Sweeney was cautiously optimistic. “I think that we’ll just have to wait and see,” she said. “I hope that the audience loves the movies just like we love the books, and we can continue to hopefully share that love within more of the films.”
Seyfried, meanwhile, was even more direct. Despite Nina’s apparent exit from the story, she made it clear she’s not closing the door. “Oh yeah, absolutely [I’d do more films],” she said. “Listen, if it doesn’t do well, you can call it off. But if it does, well, it’s absolutely a franchise.”
She added that while she only signed on for the first film, the creative team knows she’s eager to return. “They know that if they make another one, I’ll be a part of it — because I had so much fun with Paul [Feig].”
The Director’s Vision
Director Paul Feig echoed that enthusiasm at the film’s premiere, telling The Hollywood Reporter that the literary roadmap is already there. “Since The Housemaid is the first novel in a trilogy, if people show up and see it, I would love to see what Millie does next,” he said.
With its blend of psychological tension, morally complex characters, and franchise-ready source material, The Housemaid appears to be more than a standalone thriller. It’s a story that invites continuation — one where danger, power, and survival may follow Millie from house to house.
For now, audiences will have to wait and see. But if box office momentum and fan response align, this may only be the beginning of Millie Calloway’s unsettling new chapter.
