The Housemaid has turned into an unexpected hit for Amanda Seyfried and company — the erotic thriller has grossed roughly $360 million worldwide on a reported $35 million budget. Directed by Paul Feig and adapted from Freida McFadden’s bestselling novel, the film stars Sydney Sweeney as Millie, Seyfried as Nina Winchester and Brandon Sklenar as Andrew Winchester. Audiences and critics have been buzzing about it ever since.
A surprise credit and what it means While promoting the film, Seyfried revealed a surprising detail: she only discovered she’d been listed as an executive producer after principal photography had already started. She called the credit largely honorary, saying she hadn’t been involved in budgeting or day-to-day production decisions.
Studio and production sources confirmed this type of situation isn’t unusual. Producer credits are often part of contract negotiations and can be awarded for many reasons — from early advocacy on a project to negotiated compensation — even when the hands-on producing remains with the film’s producers and the studio. That gray area has reignited debate about transparency: supporters say honorary credits can acknowledge an actor’s creative input or early support, while critics worry such listings blur the public’s sense of who actually managed the production and made the tough creative calls.
Who really does the producing Seyfried’s anecdote underscores a broader industry fact: credits don’t always map neatly onto responsibilities. Line producers, production managers and the core producing team handle the nuts and bolts — schedules, budgets, logistics — while director and principal producers typically shape the film’s final creative form. When actors receive producer credits, those labels can signal anything from meaningful creative contributions to contractual perks. The distinction matters: credits affect awards eligibility, residuals and professional reputations, so they’re more than just nameplate wording.
Sequel prospects and creative direction Lionsgate has already started developing an adaptation of McFadden’s second book, The Housemaid’s Secret. Reports indicate Sydney Sweeney and Paul Feig are attached to return, with Rebecca Sonnenshine adapting the new novel. That lineup suggests the studio hopes to preserve the tone and style that made the first film a hit while navigating fresh story territory.
Amanda Seyfried’s return is less certain. Her character plays a smaller role in the books, though she’s said she’d be open to a cameo. Ultimately, casting and screen time will come down to the script, scheduling and broader creative decisions — not to mention financing, rights and availability of key players. Until those pieces fall into place, talk of a sequel remains early-stage development.
What fans can expect With much of the original creative team reportedly coming back, the sequel will likely feel familiar in mood and marketing. At the same time, the second novel’s narrative shift gives the filmmakers room to introduce new characters and directions. A brief appearance by a returning star could give longtime viewers a connective thread while letting the adaptation follow the book’s arc.
Home release details Lionsgate has set the physical release for March 17. The Housemaid will be available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD, with some editions including digital copies. Official pricing lists the 4K UHD (4K + Blu-ray + Digital) at $42.99, the Blu-ray (Blu-ray + Digital) at $39.99 and the standard DVD at $29.96. An Amazon-exclusive DigiPak 4K + Blu-ray combo is priced at $34.99.
If you want to dive into the credits yourself, marketing materials and the finished film list the full production team so viewers can see who handled which role.