The Housemaid - A secret that is better left untold

I think we all know that it's pretty predictable what can happen when a young, successful couple hires a nanny or domestic worker who is also young and attractive. We shouldn't necessarily jump to conclusions in such circumstances, but we must understand that these types of situations could lead to temptation or inappropriate scenarios. It is very common for infidelity to occur between the husband and the employee, as there is undoubtedly a power dynamic at play. Of course, this requires the cooperation of both parties, which is not always difficult and is often part of each person's intentions. I don't want to generalize, but there are dozens and thousands of cases of infidelity in this context.

It seems that this is what we will see in the 2022 film “The Housemaid,” starring Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried, and Brandon Sklenar. It is a film that was in theaters until a few days ago, and I was fortunate enough to see it at the theater closest to my home. Considering that the genre ranges from mystery to drama and even suspense, I began to draw my own conclusions before it started. However, there were a couple of plot twists that made me realize I was wrong about what I thought would happen.

The film tells the story of a couple in a unique situation: the husband is a wealthy man from a good family with a great job. His wife, on the other hand, does not come from the same background and has a daughter from a previous relationship; in other words, the husband is the girl's stepfather. Despite this, the two have a loving relationship that led to marriage and what appears to be a happy home. As is often the case in wealthy families with children, they require staff for maintenance, cooking, and caring for the girl. Thus, they hire an employee who comes from a rather complex background but is ultimately accepted for domestic work.

I don't want to give too many details so you can watch it, but from the beginning, it's clear that hiring such a beautiful nanny could generate interest from the husband. I repeat: this is not justified, but we know that the possibility of an inappropriate situation exists. As the days go by, we see that the tensions we suspected at the beginning do indeed arise, but with an additional twist: there is something else. Something dark and gloomy that reveals a situation that will soon turn everything upside down for this trio of people. Indeed, infidelity occurs, but it is not a simple act of carnality. The husband was hiding certain attitudes or tendencies that later begin to make sense of many of his wife's behaviors.

I think this film teaches us that not everything is as it seems. You always have to look deeper into each couple's circumstances. Everyone hides secrets that probably no one imagines; even charming people with impeccable reputations can hide habits and tendencies that would be better left undiscovered.

In my opinion, the film is quite interesting. I don't think it's “the film of the year” or particularly memorable, but I was entertained while I was in the theater, which is ultimately one of the main reasons for going to the movies. The performances are good, the plot twists are acceptable, and it's fairly well directed. The chronology of events helps to better understand the conflict presented. I recommend seeing it if you don't have many other options available; you'll be entertained and have a good time.