The Housemaid’s film adaptation delivers a shocking new ending that diverges dramatically from Freida McFadden’s bestselling novel, with director Paul Feig crafting a more violent and cinematic finale that the author herself admits is “better than the book.”
The Cinematic Upgrade: Why Feig Changed Everything
When Paul Feig took on the adaptation of Freida McFadden’s 2022 thriller The Housemaid, he faced a unique challenge: how to satisfy both book fans and moviegoers expecting a bigger cinematic experience. The director’s solution was to “expand the ending” beyond what worked in print, creating a finale that delivers what he calls “retribution” on a grander scale.
“The book ends very satisfyingly for a book, but not satisfyingly enough for a movie,” Feig told The Direct. He emphasized that for cinema audiences, the original conclusion wasn’t “harsh enough” for viewers who become “bloodthirsty” during intense thrillers.
The film follows Millie (Sydney Sweeney), a young woman who takes a job as a housemaid for wealthy couple Nina (Amanda Seyfried) and Andrew Winchester (Brandon Sklenar). Both versions reveal the central twist that Andrew is an abusive husband who regularly imprisoned Nina in the attic, with Millie ultimately turning the tables by locking Andrew upstairs.
Daniel McFadden/Lionsgate
Sydney Sweeney in ‘The Housemaid.’
Book vs. Movie: The Critical Differences
In McFadden’s novel, Andrew dies after being left trapped in the attic without food or water, essentially torturing himself to death per Millie’s demands. The police investigation that follows is resolved quietly when an officer with knowledge of Andrew’s abusive past decides to look the other way.
The film takes a dramatically different approach. When Nina opens the attic door expecting to rescue Millie, Andrew emerges and attacks both women. The confrontation escalates into a brutal struggle on the staircase, culminating in Millie delivering a final shove that sends Andrew falling to his death.
Feig explained that he wanted to “screw with the audience” about a story many viewers already knew from the book. “The book is out; all you have to do is go to the bookstore and you know the twist,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. “But we added a new ending, so the people who love the book, you get more.”
Daniel McFadden/Lionsgate
Amanda Seyfried in ‘The Housemaid.’
Author Approval: McFadden’s Surprising Reaction
Perhaps the most significant endorsement of the changed ending comes from the book’s author herself. Freida McFadden shocked fans when she declared on Instagram that the film adaptation “was better than the book,” a rare admission from any author.
During the New York premiere of The Housemaid, McFadden clarified her reasoning: “I just thought the end was so exciting, and it really made the whole thing go out with a bang,” she explained. “I can’t give out any details about it, but I just loved it.”
Dia Dipasupil/Getty
Freida McFadden in 2025.
The Franchise Potential: Sequel Setup
The new ending doesn’t just provide more cinematic satisfaction—it also sets up potential future installments. Both the book and film conclude with Millie teasing her future as a hitwoman for hire, and McFadden has written three additional books and one short story in the series.
Feig confirmed that sequel discussions have already begun. “We’ve talked about it,” he admitted. “I love the character, Millie, and Millie is set up very well to have more adventures, and Freida wrote more books. So, yeah. I mean, we’ll see how this movie does, that’s it all. It all hangs on that.”
McFadden shares the director’s enthusiasm for continuing the story on screen. “That would be a dream,” she told People. “I know Paul Feig would do an amazing job in the sequel. He’s incredible.”
Dia Dipasupil/Getty
Paul Feig
Why the Change Matters for Adaptation Culture
The success of The Housemaid‘s altered ending represents a significant shift in how book-to-film adaptations are approached. Rather than slavishly following source material, Feig’s approach demonstrates that sometimes cinematic needs must take precedence.
The director’s philosophy of being “very, very true to the book” while making changes that serve the medium highlights a growing trend in adaptation filmmaking. As Feig noted, “The things we changed were things that we wanted to be a little more cinematic.”
This approach has paid off with critical and author approval, setting a potential new standard for how beloved books can be transformed into satisfying cinematic experiences without alienating their original fanbase.
Courtesy of Lionsgate
Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney in ‘The Housemaid.’
The Future of The Housemaid Universe
With the film’s December 19 theatrical release generating buzz and the changed ending receiving praise from both critics and the original author, the stage is set for potential franchise expansion. The combination of McFadden’s existing literary universe and Feig’s cinematic vision creates a powerful foundation for future projects.
The most promising aspect for fans is that both creative forces behind the project are enthusiastic about continuing the story. As Feig succinctly put it regarding sequel possibilities: “The structure is already there.”
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