Summary
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden is a psychological thriller that follows Millie Calloway and the Winchester family. Millie, recently released from prison, starts working as a housemaid in the Winchester mansion. The story combines elements of thriller and mystery, focusing on Millie's new job and the secrets within the mansion. The narrative unfolds through the mansion's hallways and an attic room that locks from the outside. Millie navigates the dynamics of the Winchester family as the psychological tension develops.
Plot
Significant spoilers ahead
The Housemaid follows Millie Calloway as she becomes a live-in housekeeper for the troubled Winchester family. Millie, with a criminal history, takes the job with Nina Winchester, who displays instability. The mansion feels unwelcoming when Millie discovers her attic room locks from the outside. Enzo, the landscaper, issues cryptic warnings, raising her concerns.
The family includes Andrew, Nina’s seemingly charming husband, and their difficult daughter, Cecelia. As Millie settles in, she encounters Nina’s erratic behavior. Kindness quickly turns to accusations. Andrew’s friendliness complicates matters, as Millie grows closer to him. Millie learns of rumors about Nina’s mental state and finds hidden medication, suggesting underlying issues.
Tensions rise when Andrew invites Millie to a Broadway show during Nina’s absence. Their affair comes to light, resulting in Nina's removal at Andrew’s demand. Millie soon discovers Nina had been monitoring her.
The story shifts to Nina's perspective, revealing Andrew as manipulative and abusive. He has used cruel tactics, such as imprisoning Nina in the attic, to undermine her sanity. Nina chose Millie knowing Andrew’s interest, aiming to counter his schemes.
Millie becomes a victim of Andrew’s abuse, trapped in the attic. She uses pepper spray left by Nina to subdue Andrew and lock him away. When Nina and Enzo return, they find Millie traumatized and Andrew dead. Nina takes responsibility for Andrew's death, claiming it was accidental to protect Millie.
In the epilogue, Millie begins a new housekeeping job. She encounters another woman in an abusive situation, indicating Millie's emerging role as an agent of covert justice.
Characters
Millie Calloway: Millie, recently out of prison, becomes a housemaid at the Winchester residence. She seeks to survive while uncovering the mansion's secrets.
Nina Winchester: Nina, the wife in the Winchester home, experiences both kindness and manipulation. Her character reveals her struggles with her husband’s control.
Andrew Winchester: Andrew, the husband, is the primary antagonist. His charm conceals his manipulative nature and oppressive intentions.
Cecelia Winchester: Cecelia, the young daughter, reflects the instability of her environment. Her character participates in and suffers from the family's dysfunction.
Enzo: Enzo, the landscaper, warns Millie of potential dangers. His hints demonstrate a protective nature, aiding Millie in the household.
Evelyn Winchester: Evelyn, Andrew's mother, sheds light on his cruelty’s origins. Her history suggests a cycle of familial trauma.
Themes
Psychological manipulation
Psychological manipulation plays a central role. Andrew controls Nina and Millie through gaslighting and emotional imprisonment. Millie endures physical confinement and mental coercion, demonstrating Andrew's manipulation and power dynamics within the narrative.
Domestic abuse
The novel addresses domestic abuse as more than just physical violence. It portrays abuse as a force distorting reality and damaging self-worth. Nina's experience illustrates the cycle of abuse orchestrated by Andrew’s strategic actions. This indicates the repetitive pattern of fear and control affecting the victims.
Female empowerment
The Housemaid explores female empowerment through the progression of Nina's and Millie's stories. Despite oppression, Nina uses subtle defiance, while Millie evolves from victim to avenger. Their actions represent a reclaiming of power and resistance to patriarchal control, reflecting women's resilience.
Socioeconomic stratification
Socioeconomic stratification appears prominently. The Winchester mansion symbolizes wealth and functions as a prison. Millie's financial vulnerability forces her into servitude. Nina's wealth does not protect her from Andrew’s control, showing that financial status does not always equate to true autonomy.
Quick facts
In 2024, Lionsgate announced a film adaptation directed by Paul Feig, starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried.
The Housemaid significantly boosted author Freida McFadden's popularity after its 2022 release.
The novel is a psychological thriller filled with shocking plot twists and unexpected revelations.
The protagonist, Millie Calloway, is an ex-convict who spent a decade in prison for accidentally killing a friend's attacker.
The story employs alternate perspectives, notably shifting midway to reveal deeper insights into characters.
Nina Winchester initially appears unstable, but is later revealed as a victim trying to escape an abusive marriage.
The antagonist, Andrew Winchester, is revealed as the true abusive character, subverting readers' expectations.
Millie's criminal past becomes integral to Nina's plan, using Millie to confront her abusive husband, Andrew.
Freida McFadden engages significantly with her audience through platforms like social media, enhancing her popularity.
The Housemaid has achieved significant popularity on platforms such as TikTok and boasts over 100,000 reviews on Amazon.
The novel explores deep themes including psychological manipulation, deception, revenge, and the dynamics of power.
Millie recognizes patterns of abuse in her next employment, hinting at potential sequels to the story.
Film adaptation
In 2024, Lionsgate announced plans to adapt Freida McFadden's The Housemaid into a feature film with Paul Feig directing. The project draws attention for its notable casting. Sydney Sweeney will play Millie Calloway, while Amanda Seyfried will take on the role of Nina Winchester. Feig's reputation in psychological thrillers contributes to the interest. Although the release date is not yet announced, the strong cast and original material suggest the film has potential. The adaptation aims to explore themes of manipulation and power struggles as described in the book.
About the author
Freida McFadden is the bestselling author of psychological thrillers and medical humor novels. She also works as a physician specializing in brain injury. Her works, including The Housemaid, The Housemaid’s Secret, Never Lie, and The Locked Door, have been translated into 40 languages. She has garnered critical acclaim for her intricate plots and is a winner of the Goodreads Choice Award and the International Thriller Writers Award.
