The Maid Review: Sydney Sweeney Thriller Falls Flat

"The Maid" centers on Millie Calloway, a young woman with a difficult past looking for a chance to improve her life. She accepts a position as a domestic worker for a wealthy family on Long Island, believing her circumstances are finally changing for the better.

The tension begins to build as Millie notices the strange behavior of her employer, Nina Winchester. These actions are consistently covered up by her husband, Andrew. Millie realizes she must endure this treatment because she desperately needs the job to achieve her goals.

As the story progresses, Millie discovers that her employers are hiding secrets that pose a serious threat to her safety. She finds herself trapped in a dangerous game where she must outsmart the Winchesters to survive. The film is based on the novel by Freida McFadden, who also serves as an executive producer on the movie.

The film suffers from a directional mismatch. Director Paul Feig, known for comedies like "Bridesmaids" and the 2016 "Ghostbusters" reboot, fails to maintain a consistent tone. His tendency to push scenes into "hysterical" territory often undermines the suspense, making moments tragicomic rather than frightening.

The screenplay, written by Rebecca Sonnenshine, contributes to the film's uneven quality. It features dialogue and scenarios that viewers may find surreal and unconvincing. A specific example cited is a subplot involving a collection of plates, which reportedly fails to work effectively in the cinematic adaptation despite being present in the book.

Character development is also a weak point. The film struggles to maintain consistency for secondary characters, such as Nina's daughter, who shifts from disliking Millie to liking her without clear motivation. The gardener, Enzo (played by Michele Morrone), is described as tedious and underdeveloped, failing to fulfill his potential as a mysterious figure.

Despite the narrative flaws, the acting performances are considered a strong point of the film. Sydney Sweeney manages to keep Millie interesting, adding layers of irony to the character, particularly in the second half of the movie. Her performance elevates the material, though it is noted that a better script would have yielded even more interesting results.

The true standout is Amanda Seyfried in the role of Nina Winchester. Seyfried effectively portrays a character who shifts between appearing docile and gentle to committing cruel acts without hesitation. This ability to switch personas makes the first half of the film particularly engaging.

In contrast, Brandon Sklenar as Andrew is viewed as staying on the surface level. His performance is criticized for lacking depth, appearing in scenes mostly to display physical attributes rather than acting as a fully realized person. Even during the film's major plot twist, his emotional weight is considered insufficient. Elizabeth Perkins, playing the controlling mother Mrs. Winchester, is also seen as remaining within a caricature.

"The Maid" is ultimately described as a mixed bag. It offers enough entertainment for viewers seeking a light, somewhat campy thriller that isn't afraid to be caricatured. However, it lacks the tension and narrative cohesion to be considered a high-quality suspense film.

The movie is unlikely to leave a lasting impression on audiences after they leave the theater. It suffers from a predictable anticlimax and a rhythm that drags between the first and second acts. The shock value prioritized by the director often replaces genuine character-driven tension.

Nevertheless, the film serves its purpose as a piece of light entertainment. Its release may pave the way for future adaptations of Freida McFadden's other books featuring the same protagonist. For Sydney Sweeney, this film represents a potential turning point to recover from a year of critical and box office struggles.