Sydney Sweeney’s Clever Promo Sends The Housemaid Viral
Sydney Sweeney’s quick thinking on set led to a unique promo for The Housemaid, sparking a surge in female viewers and a box office hit. Find out how her idea changed the film’s fortunes and what’s next for the franchise.
When Sydney Sweeney signed on for The Housemaid, she wasn’t just there to act. During a particularly tense scene involving an old Family Feud episode, Sweeney had a flash of inspiration. Instead of sticking to the script, she suggested the cast actually appear on Celebrity Family Feud as a bit of real-world promo. It wasn’t a big studio plan—just a spur-of-the-moment idea that ended up making a massive difference.
The result? The Housemaid’s cast rocked up on the game show, and the clips from their appearance quickly went viral, racking up 1.5 million views. Suddenly, the film wasn’t just another psychological thriller—it became a must-see event, especially for women who might not have been keen on a crime flick. The move also caught the attention of fans of the original novel who hadn’t heard about the adaptation. Over in France, the film was pitched as an erotic thriller, which only added to its appeal for a different crowd.
How a Game Show Appearance Changed the Audience
It’s not every day you see a film’s fortunes turn thanks to a game show, but that’s exactly what happened here. The Family Feud spot felt familiar and fun, making it the perfect entry point for viewers who might have otherwise skipped a dark thriller. The organic buzz around the promo meant the film reached heaps of new punters, especially women, who saw themselves reflected in the cast’s camaraderie and wit.
Other young stars have been getting creative with their promo lately—Timothée Chalamet, for example, has been pulling some unconventional stunts for Marty Supreme. It just goes to show, you don’t need a blockbuster budget or a massive spectacle to get people talking. With the right approach, even a character-driven drama can become the talk of the town.
Box Office Success and Sequel News
The Housemaid was made on a $35 million budget, but it’s already pulled in over $140 million worldwide. That’s a tidy profit by any measure. Lionsgate has now confirmed a follow-up, which will be based on the second book in Freida McFadden’s trilogy. The sequel announcement came hot on the heels of the film’s box office success, and fans of the books are already buzzing about what’s next.
Here’s a quick rundown of the key details: Paul Feig directed, with a cast including Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried, Brandon Sklenar, Michele Morrone, Elizabeth Perkins, and Mark Grossman. Rebecca Sonnenshine wrote the screenplay, adapting McFadden’s 2022 novel. The film is a psychological thriller produced by Hidden Pictures and distributed by Lionsgate, with its theatrical release in the US and Canada on 19 December 2025. On Rotten Tomatoes, it’s sitting at 73% with critics and a whopping 92% with audiences.
What’s Next for The Housemaid?
The ending of the first film sets up the next chapter for Sweeney’s character, and with the built-in fanbase from the books, the sequel is shaping up to be another hit—provided it sticks the landing. Not many expected The Housemaid to be one of the first big winners of 2026, but here we are. The film is currently screening in cinemas across the US, and the buzz shows no sign of slowing down.