Actress Sydney Sweeney has emphatically reversed her fortunes at the cinema, with her latest film, The Housemaid, delivering a powerful opening weekend performance. The psychological thriller debuted to an estimated $19-20 million in domestic ticket sales, providing a much-needed commercial win for the 28-year-old star.
A Dramatic Turnaround After Recent Struggles
This successful launch represents a significant rebound for Sweeney, whose previous theatrical releases—Americana, Eden, and Christy—failed to find an audience. According to industry reports, the combined total earnings of those three films across their entire box office runs were less than what The Housemaid achieved in its first few days alone. The new film's strong start was carved out despite facing stiff competition from the latest instalment in James Cameron's Avatar franchise, which dominated the overall weekend.
The Plot and Cast Behind the Hit
Directed by Paul Feig, known for hits like Bridesmaids and A Simple Favor, the thriller casts Sweeney as Millie Calloway. The character is a troubled young woman who accepts a live-in housekeeping position for a wealthy, seemingly perfect couple portrayed by Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar. What begins as a fresh start descends into a dangerous web of manipulation, obsession, and explicit sexual tension, a ride audiences have clearly embraced. The film also features Elizabeth Perkins, Michele Morrone, and Indiana Elle.
Sequel Talks and Therapeutic Performances
When questioned by Entertainment Weekly about the potential for a sequel, Sweeney offered a non-committal response. "I think that we’ll just have to wait and see," said the Emmy-nominated actress, who alluded to the 2022 Freida McFadden novel that inspired the film. "I hope that the audience loves the movies just like we love the books. And we can continue to hopefully share that love within more of the films."
Her co-star, Amanda Seyfried, was more direct about future prospects. "Listen, if it doesn’t do well, you can call it off, but if it does, well, it’s absolutely a franchise," she stated, adding she had "so much fun" making the film and would be interested in a follow-up. Seyfried, 40, also revealed that playing the unpredictable Nina Winchester was a "therapeutic" experience, allowing her to channel one of her own fears about dealing with volatile people.
The weekend's broader box office was led by Avatar: Fire and Ash, which launched with $88 million domestically. In a surprise result, Angel Studios' animated musical David secured second place, with the latest SpongeBob sequel and Zootopia 2 completing the top five. However, the standout story remains Sweeney's successful return to commercial form with The Housemaid.
