‘The Housemaid’ Ends Sydney Sweeney’s Flop Streak – What Does This Mean?

by

Lionsgate is making a sequel to Sydney Sweeney’s hit film, The Housemaid, after it performed exceptionally well in theaters. Many of those who previously criticized the film are surprised by its success. The psychological thriller earned over $100 million, despite being released during a busy holiday season with popular competing movies like Marty Supreme, Anaconda, Song Sung Blue, and Avatar: Fire & Ash.

Someone recently suggested that movie theaters were becoming outdated, like jazz clubs – a claim Leonardo DiCaprio made. That’s simply not true! People still love going to the movies, and especially want to see stars like Sydney Sweeney on the big screen. There was a time when some doubted Sweeney’s potential as a leading actress, suggesting her career would be limited to endorsements, like her work with American Eagle. But she’s proven them wrong. Now, everyone’s wondering what exciting projects she’ll take on next.

The Sweeney Slander Grew After a 2-Year Flop Streak


Black Bear

Following the November 2025 release of the film Christy, Sydney Sweeney faced significant backlash. While the movie, a biopic about boxing star Christy Martin, was predicted to be successful, it performed poorly at the box office, earning only $2 million despite a $15 million production budget. Its opening weekend gross of $1.3 million placed it among the 12 worst openings for any film released in over 2,000 theaters.

Most actors experience occasional failures, with the expectation of future success. But with Dakota Johnson, a pattern of underperforming projects was becoming concerning. Her film Madame Web barely earned back its production costs and received overwhelmingly negative reviews. Immaculate brought in $35 million, Eden only $2.5 million, and Echo Valley didn’t make much of an impact on Apple TV+, raising questions about her recent choices.

Many people were concerned that this actress, often compared to Lauren Bacall, wasn’t achieving the same level of box office success as stars like Tom Cruise. Some even thought she was overhyped, but then came The Housemaid. The film, a thriller about a young housekeeper working for a dangerous, rich family, is both a critical and commercial hit, earning a 73% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This success is something to celebrate, but it also makes us think about what audiences truly expect from actress and director, Cara Sweeney.

Sydney Sweeney Needs To Do More Family, Friendship, and Romance Movies


Lionsgate

It might seem surprising that Sydney Sweeney was struggling at the box office, given her popularity – she has nearly 30 million Instagram followers! Despite being well-liked, her movies weren’t attracting audiences. The issue likely stems from her recent choice of roles. She’d probably have more success with films focused on family, friendships, or romantic relationships.

Subscribe to the newsletter for smart film analysis

Crave deeper takes on film trends and star trajectories? Subscribe to the newsletter for thoughtful analysis of box-office shifts, casting strategies, and what audiences want — essential coverage for anyone tracking movies and celebrity careers.

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s
Terms of Use
and
Privacy Policy
. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Before her recent success with The Housemaid, Sydney Sweeney starred in Anyone But You (2023), which performed very well at the box office, earning $220 million worldwide. This romantic comedy, a fresh take on Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, felt down-to-earth and explored situations many viewers could relate to in their own lives or the lives of people they know.

Fans seem to enjoy Sydney Sweeney best when she plays relatable characters. While we admire her for taking on challenging roles in films like Christy and Madame Web, she truly shines when she embraces her natural talent and simply is Sweeney – a down-to-earth woman who consistently surprises us. Her success in shows like Euphoria and The White Lotus demonstrates that this is where she truly excels. Hopefully, she’ll continue to focus on her strengths and choose roles that allow her to thrive, as her fans eagerly hope.

Read More

2026-01-08 02:48