At first glance, it sounded like bestselling author Freida McFadden was disappointed with the highly anticipated adaptation of her novel The Housemaid. When she admitted on Sept. 16 that Sydney Sweeney’s new movie version had “ruined” her book, fans braced themselves for criticism. But the truth is far more surprising—and far more flattering. McFadden wasn’t bashing the movie at all. In fact, she was praising it so enthusiastically that she declared the film might actually outshine her own bestselling thriller.
A Bold Confession from the Author Herself
On Sept. 16, Freida McFadden shared her reaction in a candid Instagram post after an early preview of the film. What seemed like a warning quickly turned into an unexpected endorsement. “I was lucky enough to get to watch a sneak preview of The Housemaid movie, and I absolutely LOVED it!” she wrote. “The second it was over, I turned to my husband in the theater and said, ‘Omg, I think it was better than the book!’”
Her playful admission shocked fans because authors rarely admit that a movie version surpasses their original work. Yet McFadden was refreshingly honest. Instead of downplaying the adaptation, she celebrated it, calling it a faithful yet elevated version of the story that “captured everything readers love about the novel.”
The Story of The Housemaid
For readers unfamiliar with the plot, The Housemaid follows Millie Calloway, played by Sydney Sweeney, a young woman who accepts a job as a live-in maid for a wealthy family. What begins as a straightforward employment opportunity quickly spirals into something darker. Millie discovers disturbing secrets hidden within the home of Nina (portrayed by Amanda Seyfried) and her husband Andrew (played by Brandon Sklenar).
The novel became a major hit in the psychological thriller genre, earning Freida McFadden a loyal fanbase and spawning follow-up titles including The Housemaid’s Secret and The Housemaid Is Watching. With the film set for release in theaters on Dec. 19, expectations were already high. McFadden’s enthusiastic review only added fuel to the anticipation.
Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried Bring the Characters to Life
One of the reasons McFadden feels her book was “ruined” is because Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried delivered performances so compelling that the characters may now forever be defined by their portrayals. “The performances by all the actors were nothing short of incredible,” McFadden wrote. She praised how seamlessly Sweeney embodied Millie’s vulnerability and strength, while Seyfried portrayed Nina’s complex and unsettling personality.
Even Brandon Sklenar, who plays Andrew, earned recognition for adding depth and menace to his role. According to McFadden, their collective performances elevated the material to new heights—so much so that she joked about wanting to write another installment in the Housemaid universe just to see them on screen again.
From Page to Screen: A Team Effort
The adaptation of The Housemaid was no small feat. Directed by a team led by Paul Feig, the project had the challenge of transforming a beloved psychological thriller into a cinematic experience without losing its tension or atmosphere. Feig admitted during the SXSW Film & TV Festival in March that adapting such a popular book was “nerve-wracking.” He explained, “It’s easy to make something out of a book that’s not good. When a book’s really good, it’s like, oh boy.”
Yet, with the help of writer Rebecca Sonnenshine and close involvement from Freida McFadden as an executive producer, the film managed to balance fidelity to the novel with cinematic flair. McFadden herself served alongside Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried as an executive producer, ensuring the story’s core remained intact while still embracing bold visual storytelling.
The Author’s Playful Critique
When McFadden teased that the film had “ruined” her book, what she really meant was that it raised the bar. Now, when fans think of Millie, Nina, and Andrew, they might picture Sweeney, Seyfried, and Sklenar instead of imagining them purely from the text. It’s a fate many authors face when their novels are adapted, but McFadden embraced it with humor and grace.
“It (almost) made me want to write another Housemaid book. (Almost!)” she admitted. “The only problem is, I don’t know how I’m going to be able to wait until December to get to watch it again!”
Her playful tone showed that she isn’t bitter at all. Instead, she seems genuinely thrilled that the adaptation has set a new standard—even if it overshadows the original novel in some readers’ minds.
Building on the Housemaid Legacy
While the movie focuses on the original Housemaid novel, McFadden has continued to expand the universe with sequels like The Housemaid’s Secret and The Housemaid Is Watching. These follow-ups ensure that fans of her writing still have new material to devour, even as the movie adaptation steals the spotlight.
Her willingness to call the film “better than the book” reflects her confidence as a writer and her excitement to see her characters live on in new formats. It also shows her commitment to storytelling, whether on the page or the screen.
A New Standard for Psychological Thrillers
The buzz around The Housemaid adaptation is not just about the cast—it’s about the broader impact it could have on psychological thrillers in film. With Sydney Sweeney stepping into darker territory and Amanda Seyfried embracing a chilling role, the film could set a new benchmark for suspense-driven cinema.
For audiences, this means that McFadden’s comment about her book being “ruined” may become a reality—not because the novel has lost its value, but because the movie could redefine how the story is remembered.
A Compliment Disguised as Criticism
At first glance, the headline “Freida McFadden Says Sydney Sweeney’s Housemaid ‘Ruined’ Her Book Forever” sounds like harsh criticism. But the reality is quite the opposite. McFadden is thrilled, proud, and perhaps even relieved that the adaptation has surpassed her own expectations. Her playful exaggeration is simply a creative way of expressing how much she loved the movie.
With The Housemaid hitting theaters on Dec. 19, audiences will soon judge for themselves whether the film “ruins” the book—or whether it elevates it to new heights, just as its author claims.
