Sydney Sweeney’s latest thriller is proving that star power combined with the right material can break through even the toughest slumps.
The Housemaid has surpassed Babygirl‘s total box office earnings, marking another milestone in its impressive theatrical run.
For Sweeney, this represents a crucial career comeback after watching several projects underperform spectacularly.
The psychological thriller is now racing toward the prestigious $100 million benchmark that has eluded most films in its genre.
Box Office Numbers Tell a Compelling Story
The Housemaid has accumulated nearly $65 million globally after just two weeks in theaters, with $55 million coming from domestic audiences alone. That total edges past Babygirl‘s final worldwide tally of $63 million from its complete 2024 theatrical run.
Director Paul Feig adapted the thriller from Freida McFadden’s 2022 bestselling novel, creating what audiences have enthusiastically embraced despite mixed critical reception. Sweeney stars as a young housekeeper who uncovers disturbing secrets about her employer, portrayed by Amanda Seyfried.
Sweeney Breaks Through After Multiple Disappointments
Before The Housemaid‘s success, Sweeney endured what industry insiders described as a “highly publicized flop streak.” Both Christy and Eden tanked commercially, raising questions about her box office viability.
The Housemaid is tracking to become her first $100 million hit since Anyone But You, which debuted in 2023 and surprised everyone with its staying power. The current film’s trajectory suggests she’s regained her commercial momentum at exactly the right moment.
The supporting cast includes Brandon Sklenar and Michele Morrone, both contributing to what audiences have rated as a gripping psychological experience. While critics remain divided, moviegoers have voted with their wallets in overwhelming fashion.
The Erotic Thriller Renaissance Continues
The Housemaid has already surpassed classic erotic thrillers including Body Heat and the notorious Original Sin in lifetime earnings. This performance signals renewed audience appetite for adult-oriented psychological dramas featuring complex power dynamics.
Its success stands in stark contrast to Babygirl, which starred Nicole Kidman as a powerful CEO embarking on a relationship with her new intern, played by Harris Dickinson. Despite earning mostly positive reviews, that film struggled to connect with audiences.
Why Babygirl Struggled Despite Critical Praise
Director Halina Reijn’s Babygirl earned a “certified fresh” 76% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes but managed only a 48% audience score. That massive disconnect between professional reviewers and paying customers sealed its commercial fate.
Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson memorably smolder together in Babygirl, with writer-director Halina Reijn’s clinical gaze keeping this sexually frank thriller more provocative than prurient.
That critical consensus praised the film’s artistic merits but may have inadvertently highlighted why general audiences stayed away. The description of a “clinical gaze” doesn’t exactly scream mainstream entertainment appeal.
What Makes The Housemaid Different
McFadden’s source novel brought built-in name recognition and a devoted reader base eager to see the adaptation. Paul Feig’s direction apparently struck the right balance between psychological tension and accessible storytelling that Reijn’s more cerebral approach missed.
Audience approval has been the driving force behind The Housemaid‘s success. Word-of-mouth recommendations continue propelling ticket sales even as some critics question whether the material breaks new ground in its genre.
Sweeney’s casting proved particularly strategic. Her rising profile combined with the role’s requirements created perfect synergy for commercial success, even after recent disappointments threatened to derail her upward trajectory.
Lionsgate Finds Solid Ground Again
The Housemaid‘s performance suggests Lionsgate is regaining its footing after several challenging quarters. The studio needed a win, and Feig’s thriller delivered exactly what investors and executives hoped to see.
The $100 million milestone looms as both symbolic achievement and practical validation. Reaching that threshold would cement the film as a genuine phenomenon rather than modest success. Current projections indicate the goal remains well within reach if momentum holds through upcoming weekends.
Amanda Seyfried’s presence as the mysterious employer adds another layer of marquee appeal beyond Sweeney’s drawing power. Their on-screen dynamic has generated substantial social media discussion, fueling continued interest.
Genre Revival or Flash in the Pan?
Whether The Housemaid‘s success signals genuine revival for adult psychological thrillers or represents isolated phenomenon remains unclear. Babygirl‘s failure suggests audiences remain selective about which entries they’ll support financially.
Key differences between the two films include source material recognition, directorial approach, and star casting choices. The Housemaid checked multiple commercial boxes that Babygirl either ignored or actively avoided in pursuit of artistic vision.
For Sweeney personally, this performance validates her as someone capable of opening films when paired with appropriate material. The flop streak now looks like temporary setback rather than career-defining pattern, assuming she maintains momentum with smart project selection moving forward.
Studios will undoubtedly study The Housemaid‘s formula closely, searching for replicable elements that translated critical bestseller into box office gold. McFadden’s other novels may suddenly find themselves subject to bidding wars as executives chase similar lightning-in-a-bottle results.