When a beloved book is adapted for the screen, readers are often skeptical, worried the film won’t do justice to the original story or will dilute it with unnecessary changes. But Lionsgate’s adaptation of Freida McFadden’s bestselling thriller The Housemaid has largely defied those fears. Book fans walked into theaters knowing the twist, yet many walked out surprised.
Since its premiere on Friday, December 19, 2025, the film has earned mostly positive reactions from both readers and newcomers, with audiences largely embracing the altered ending: a rare win for book-to-film adaptations.
