‘The Housemaid’: Comparing the Book and Movie Adaptation

This piece was written by a student writer from the UConn chapter and does not reflect the views of Filmogaz.com.

The Housemaid is a psychological thriller about a young woman with a secret past. She takes a live-in maid position and confronts an unsettling household.

Millie’s Inner Life

The book gives deep access to Millie’s thoughts and fears. Readers learn about her time in prison for killing a classmate who had sexually assaulted her.

The film shows her distress visually. It omits much of her internal monologue and strategic thinking.

Enzo’s Reduced Role

Enzo plays a central emotional role in the novel. He believes in Nina and helps pull the story together on the page.

The movie gives Enzo far less screen time. His backstory about losing someone to a similar event is mostly absent.

The Attic: Book vs Film

The attic is a key location in both formats. In the novel, it felt like a cramped, punitive space, closer to a cell than a bedroom.

The film’s attic looked more habitable. Some book details were changed, including tasks Millie had to perform to escape.

Changes to Andrew’s Fate

In the novel, Andrew dies from starvation and dehydration while confined to the attic. His death results from prolonged neglect.

The adaptation altered that arc. Andrew escapes and later dies after Millie pushes him over a stairwell railing while he changes a lightbulb.

Notes on Specific Scene Changes

• The book required Millie to stack books on herself as part of a punishment. The film replaced that with a self-inflicted cutting scene.
• The film choice removed an element of Andrew’s control over physical appearance. That change shifts a key theme.

Adaptation Strengths and Casting

The filmmakers condensed a complex novel into about two hours. Major twists and the household’s tension remain intact.

Cast performances earned praise. Sydney Sweeney conveys Millie’s distress. Amanda Seyfried creates a convincing, unstable Nina. Brandon Sklenar depicts Andrew’s controlling edge.

On Comparing the Book and Movie Adaptation

This analysis explores The Housemaid: Comparing the Book and Movie Adaptation to highlight where depth was lost. It also notes where the film succeeds.

The novel delivers more psychological detail. The film delivers strong visuals and acting. Both formats offer a tense, unsettling experience.