Paul Feig Discusses Directing "The Housemaid" and Adapting Books for Film

Directing "The Housemaid"

• 💡 Paul Feig aimed for "The Housemaid" to feel like a Nancy Meyers movie that goes horribly wrong, contrasting a bright, lovely house with a hellish prison.
• 🎨 Production designer Elizabeth Jones is credited for creating a rich texture with female-centric artwork and subtle symbolism, like pops of red to foreshadow danger.
• 🎶 Music was crucial, with a focus on finding Millie's sound through Linda Ronstadt and a composer who creates character themes before shooting.

Adapting Freida McFadden's Novel

• 🎬 Feig read the script first for "The Housemaid" and then the book, praising Rebecca Sunshine's adaptation for preserving the novel's strong structure.
• ✍️ The adaptation expanded the ending and brought back elements from the book, aiming to provide audiences with something extra while respecting the source material.
• 🎭 The film plays with audience expectations, making them root for characters they shouldn't, leading to a more intense desire for retribution.

Themes and Artistic Vision

• ⚖️ The movie explores themes of power dynamics, privilege, and class, presenting a classic