In Hollywood, it’s still rare for two women to lead a major studio film. Yet in The Housemaid, a new thriller based on the 2022 mega-hit book of the same name, actresses Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried share top billing.

“Wait a minute, we kind of look the same,” Seyfried quipped, “and we’re being cast together in a movie?”

The director, Paul Feig, is no stranger to strong women, with A Simple Favour, The Heat, and comedy classic Bridesmaids all in his back catalogue.

“I love working with great actresses,” Feig tells me. “I love telling these female-led stories and try to do it in a very three-dimensional way.”

He praises Sweeney as “one of the most nuanced actors out there”, and says he has been wanting to work with the 28-year-old for a long time.

Both Sweeney and Seyfried have dominated headlines this year for reasons other than their film work. Sweeney copped online criticism over a controversial jeans ad, and Seyfried for her comments on slain conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.

But now, they’re both soaking up the spotlight as positive early reactions to The Housemaid pour in.

Feig’s message is this: “Every time there are movies starring women, people have to go see them.”

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