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‘The Housemaid’ Outpaces ‘Babygirl’ as Box-Office Buzz Grows

Strong audience scores are powering a climb despite sharply divided reviews.

Overview

  • The Sydney SweeneyAmanda Seyfried thriller opened December 19 in North America with about $19 million, surpassing expectations for a $25–35 million–budgeted adaptation.
  • Within a week, the film passed the $28 million domestic lifetime of last year’s ‘Babygirl’ and is nearing $30 million in North America, according to box-office reporting.
  • Audience reception is robust, including a “verified hot” 92% Rotten Tomatoes score, while critics are split, with praise for Seyfried’s performance alongside harsher pans.
  • Director Paul Feig says he restored fan-favorite elements from Freida McFadden’s bestseller and added an extra ending, emphasizing a psychological approach to depicting abuse.
  • Sweeney, promoting the release now playing in UK cinemas, told the BBC she seeks projects that address difficult topics in ways that could help viewers.