Speaking to the BBC, the 28-year-old actor said she hopes her work can “impact and hopefully save people’s lives,” especially when tackling difficult subjects like domestic abuse.
This year, Sweeney has appeared in two projects that deal with violence behind closed doors: the psychological thriller The Housemaid and the boxing biopic Christy. She describes domestic abuse as a “prevalent” issue and says she takes “a lot of care” when choosing and playing these roles.
“Being able to have a film that’s on a more commercial level talk about a very difficult topic is important,” she said.
A Dark Story With Wide Reach
In The Housemaid, Sweeney plays Millie Calloway, a young woman hired to work in the home of a wealthy couple. The film is based on Freida McFadden’s 2022 bestseller, which became hugely popular online, especially on TikTok’s reading community.
Sweeney says she was immediately drawn to the story.
“I love complex, juicy, crazy, twisted stories. This is a dream project,” she said, adding that she was already a fan of the novel.
The film also stars Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar as Nina and Andrew Winchester, Millie’s employers.
Strong Chemistry, Serious Themes
Seyfried says she and Sweeney were cast partly because they look alike, but she believes their similarities go deeper.
“There’s a similarity between us that is uncanny,” Seyfried said. “We have similar ideals about the job and life, and that makes it easier to go to these extreme places as characters.”
Her character, Nina, struggles with severe mental health issues, making parts of the film uncomfortable to watch. Seyfried says that discomfort is necessary.
“You have to play it as realistically as possible, because it needs to reflect real life,” she explained.
Handling Abuse With Care
Director Paul Feig, known for comedies like Bridesmaids, admitted he was nervous about addressing domestic abuse.
“I made sure there wasn’t any physical abuse — it’s more psychological,” Feig said, stressing the importance of handling the subject sensitively.
The film has drawn comparisons to 1990s domestic thrillers like Fatal Attraction and The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, but with a modern focus on emotional and mental abuse.
Seyfried hopes audiences leave with more than just thrills.
“I hope people come out with a better understanding of domestic violence,” she said, especially those who have never experienced it themselves.
A Challenging Role for Brandon Sklenar
Sklenar, who has also appeared in the controversial 2024 film It Ends With Us, says playing abusive characters can take a personal toll.
“It’s intense, and it’s ultimately going to affect you in certain ways,” he said, adding that his characters in the two films are “polar opposites.”
Strong Reviews and Box Office Success
The response to The Housemaid has been largely positive. The Guardian gave it four stars, calling it an “innocent holiday treat” delivered with “terrific gusto.”
The success is especially welcome for Sweeney after a turbulent year. She faced backlash over an American Eagle ad campaign and questions about her box office appeal following several flops. But The Housemaid opened with a strong $19 million in North America, easing those doubts.
The original novel has sold more than 1.6 million copies worldwide, and with two sequels already published, more film adaptations could follow.
Feig says popular novels are increasingly attractive to studios because they come with a built-in audience — but he’s careful to choose stories that truly work on screen. He also teased that the film includes changes from the book, including a brand-new ending.
The Housemaid is now showing in cinemas.
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