SPOILER ALERT: Major Plot Points Revealed for ‘The Housemaid’
For enthusiasts of Freida McFadden’s suspenseful novel “The Housemaid,” experiencing the Lionsgate film adaptation offered a distinctly different perspective, particularly since viewers were already aware of the plot twists. While many of the significant events from the book found their way into the film, there were notable discrepancies in how certain storylines were portrayed. One plot element, in particular, was significantly reduced in the cinematic version. “The Housemaid” tells the story of Millie, portrayed by Sydney Sweeney, a young woman with a troubled history who is in dire need of employment. She eagerly accepts a position as a live-in maid for the affluent Winchester family, which includes Nina and Andrew, played by Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar. However, Millie’s enthusiasm quickly fades as she discovers that their seemingly idyllic life is riddled with darkness.
Contrasting Perspectives: Millie and Nina
The narrative unfolds from two distinct viewpoints in the book: Millie’s and Nina’s. Through Millie’s eyes, Nina is depicted as a malevolent figure, struggling with mental health issues while Andrew appears to be the devoted husband striving to keep her content. The community whispers of a tragic incident where Nina allegedly attempted suicide after a horrifying incident involving her daughter. Fortunately, Andrew intervened and got her the help she needed, proving his commitment to her well-being.
Revealing Nina’s Truth
The latter part of both the book and the film shifts to Nina’s perspective, where the harrowing reality is unveiled. It is revealed that shortly after their marriage, Andrew subjected Nina to abuse, confining her to the attic and depriving her of food. On one occasion, he drugged her, leading to a traumatizing discovery of her daughter in a bathtub, which resulted in the police being called. The abuse escalated, with Andrew continually threatening her to keep her compliant. In a desperate bid for freedom, Nina decided to employ Millie, aware of her own husband’s infidelities and recognizing Millie’s tumultuous past—she had spent a decade in prison for taking the life of a man who attacked a friend.
Major Changes: Millie’s Torment and Revenge
In both adaptations, Millie gradually uncovers the truth after being confined in the attic by Andrew. The book depicts a chilling scene where he forces Millie to balance three heavy books on her stomach, while he monitors her through a hidden camera. If she fails, he makes her repeat the task. Conversely, the film portrays a more brutal scenario; after being locked up for accidentally breaking some antique dishes, Andrew instructs Millie to use a shard of the plate to inflict 21 deep cuts on her abdomen.
Retribution: Millie’s Actions Against Andrew
Following her confinement, Millie retaliates against Andrew in the book by mocking him and forcing him to endure similar humiliation, demanding that he balance the books on his groin and extract his own teeth with pliers. The film takes a darker turn; after being released, Millie uses a hidden knife to fatally slash Andrew’s throat, trapping him in a room while he bleeds out. In a display of defiance, she shatters more of his mother’s china outside the door, coercing him to remove his front tooth as he had deceived many with his seemingly perfect smile.
Andrew’s Demise: The Divergence in the Story
In the book, the gardener Enzo, who is privy to Nina’s plight and remains on the premises to assist her, persuades Nina to return to the house to rescue Millie. Upon her return, she discovers Andrew in the attic, having starved to death. The film, however, presents a more tense scenario where it is Nina’s daughter who encourages her to go back. When Nina arrives, she finds Andrew alive and he violently lunges at both her and Millie. In a climactic confrontation, Millie ultimately pushes him down the spiral staircase, leading to his fatal fall.
Concluding Differences: The Aftermath
The book concludes with a police officer interrogating Nina, revealing a connection between the officer’s daughter and Andrew. In contrast, the film features a policewoman conducting the questioning, disclosing that her sister had a past relationship with him. Both versions suggest that Andrew’s death was seen as accidental, but the book ends on a note of hope as Millie teams up with Enzo to create a support group for women facing domestic abuse—a storyline that is absent in the movie. Nevertheless, both adaptations share a flash-forward of a year later, hinting at Millie’s new job opportunity with another woman in distress, leaving viewers to ponder whether she has been hired for ulterior motives.
Enzo’s Role: A Significant Shift
It is essential to highlight that in the book, Enzo, the family groundskeeper, plays a crucial role in assisting Nina’s attempts to flee and devising a strategy to divert Andrew’s attention. There are moments when Millie flirts with him, recognizing that pursuing Andrew, a married man, is perilous. After Nina escapes, she and Enzo share a night together, and he expresses his worry for Millie’s safety. Enzo remains vigilant, even alerting Nina when Millie has been missing for days. In the film adaptation, however, Enzo’s character, played by Michele Morrone, is relegated to a minor role, with his involvement in Nina’s escape efforts merely hinted at. Should future films continue to draw from the original book’s narrative, it is likely that Enzo’s character will regain prominence in upcoming installments.
