Sydney Sweeney’s R-Rated Thriller ‘The Housemaid’ Beats Director’s Controversial Sci-Fi Reboot at Box Office

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Despite recent disappointments with the films Eden and Christy, Sydney Sweeney is now enjoying a major success with her new thriller, The Housemaid. The film has actually surpassed the box office earnings of all previous movies directed by the same filmmaker – even one that was based on a hugely popular 1980s franchise, despite making some changes to the original concept. It seems audiences are responding strongly to this new, more adult-oriented project.

Paul Feig’s latest film, The Housemaid, has now earned over $300 million internationally, making it his most successful movie to date. While Feig is known for comedies like Bridesmaids and The Heat, as well as directing episodes of popular shows like Parks and Recreation and The Office, he previously took on the Ghostbusters franchise with a 2016 reboot. Though backed by a well-known brand, that Ghostbusters film earned just over $229 million worldwide. Before The Housemaid, Feig ventured into the thriller genre with a raunchy adaptation featuring Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney.

The 2016 Ghostbusters reboot, featuring Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones, largely retread familiar ground – but with a female team. While some criticism was valid, focusing on the film’s reliance on nostalgia and attempts to revive a decades-old franchise, a significant amount of negative reaction stemmed from simply having women as the ghostbusters. This led to a mixed reception, reflected in its Rotten Tomatoes score of 49% from audiences, compared to a more positive 74% from critics.

‘The Housemaid 2’ Is in the Works

If you enjoyed The Housemaid and its success at the box office – earning over $300 million – and were hoping for more, you’re in luck! Following the film’s surprising popularity in 2025, Lionsgate is making a sequel.

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A film adaptation of Freida McFadden’s popular thriller series is in the works. While it’s unlikely to reach the scale of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it will likely feature Anya Sweeney taking on another suspenseful role, this time terrorizing a new family. The movie, titled The Housemaid’s Secret, is based on the second book in McFadden’s trilogy, and Sweeney is set to reprise her role. Paul Feig will return as director. Although the official plot details haven’t been released, fans can get a sense of the story by reading the book’s synopsis.



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It’s rare to find an employer who isn’t overly curious about my history, so I’m incredibly grateful the Garricks hired me. I have a job cleaning their beautiful penthouse with its city views and cooking in their modern kitchen. It’s a good place to lay low and wait for an opportunity. It’s almost ideal, but I haven’t met Mrs. Garrick yet, and I haven’t been allowed into the guest bedroom. I keep hearing her cry, and I’ve noticed bloodstains on her nightgowns when I do the laundry. Eventually, I can’t resist checking when I hear a noise. The door opens slightly, and what I see inside completely changes my perspective…

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2026-01-27 16:20