Based on Freida McFadden’s best-selling book, Paul Feig’s The Housemaid (2025) drew viewers into a terrifying household drama where secrets are hidden behind immaculate walls. With Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried in the key roles, the film’s combination of startling turns and psychological tension left audiences wanting more.
Critics of the film point out that The Housemaid is part of a contemporary trend of thrillers that weaponize intimacy, in which danger arises from ruthlessly abused emotional intimacy rather than from antagonists wearing masks. Screenwriters stress that these narratives thrive on deceit, manipulation, and moral ambiguity.
Here are eight criminal thrillers that have the same compelling intensity if you are addicted to that unnerving blend of tension and deceit. Each one, which is suggested by both critics and directors, will have you wondering why each character does what they do.
Additionally, editors note that these movies have a similar cinematic DNA in which pacing and mood are equally significant to plot developments.
1. Parasite (2019)
The crime thriller Parasite by Bong Joon-ho is a masterwork of social satire. The movie centers on an impoverished family who break into a luxury home and uncover secrets that lead to mayhem.
Cinematographers commend its visual storytelling, which represents class divisions through space and architecture. The Housemaid’s capacity to defy expectations is reflected in the film’s abrupt tone change in the middle.
Critics draw attention to how closeness is turned into a weapon and how family trust can be betrayed. Its worldwide influence was solidified by its Oscar and Palme d’Or victories.
Parasite is frequently cited by screenwriters as evidence that thrillers may be both tremendously entertaining and socially concerned.
For anyone who like suspense mixed with scathing social commentary, the directors suggest it as a must-watch.
2. Gone Girl (2014)
Gone Girl, a psychological thriller directed by David Fincher and based on Gillian Flynn’s book, redefined marital suspense. There are several falsehoods in the tale of Amy Dunne’s abduction and her husband Nick’s collapse.
Fincher’s precise pace, which keeps audiences interested as the story changes points of view, is admired by film editors. Rosamund Pike won praise from critics for her eerie portrayal.
Critics highlight how the movie examines relational manipulation, reiterating themes of concealed truths from The Housemaid.
Gone Girl is frequently cited by directors as a standard for contemporary thrillers that strike a balance between surprising turns and character nuance.
The film’s untrustworthy narration, according to screenwriters, makes it an ideal case study for audience deception.
3. The Handmaiden (2016)
The Handmaiden by Park Chan-wook is a sensual, sensuous criminal thriller that draws inspiration from Fingersmith by Sarah Waters. It is set in Korea in the 1930s and focuses on a con artist, a rich heiress, and a network of lies.
Production designers laud its painstaking attention to historical detail, which heightens the sensuous and treacherous mood of the movie.
Critics point out that The Housemaid’s shifting viewpoints are mirrored in the film’s multi-layered narrative structure.
Screenwriters praise The Handmaiden for its daring narrative, which skillfully blends manipulation and intimacy.
Editors point out that its three-part format forces viewers to continually reassess the facts.
4. Oldboy (2003)
Oldboy by Park Chan-wook is a cult favorite that combines retribution, mystery, and crime. After being abruptly released from prison after 15 years without cause, a man looks for answers.
Its startling turn is praised by critics as one of the most memorable in movies. Cinematographers admire the hammer combat sequence for its visceral, primal energy.
Editors emphasize how, like The Housemaid, the film’s tempo creates intolerable tension.
Oldboy is frequently praised by filmmakers as a masterpiece of vengeance thrillers, in which the plot is driven by psychological suffering.
Screenwriters stress that it is unforgettable because of its combination of tragedy and savagery.
5. The Invisible Guest (2017)
The Invisible Guest, a Spanish thriller by Oriol Paulo, is a complex mystery involving a businessman who is suspected of murder. He gives his version of what happened with the assistance of a defense lawyer.
Its complex plot, in which the reality is reshaped with each new discovery, is admired by screenwriters. Critics liken the story’s unexpected turns to those in The Housemaid.
Editors draw attention to how the movie manipulates audience perception through flashbacks.
For fans of thrillers that depend on nuanced deception and unreliable narrators, directors suggest The Invisible Guest.
Film critics go on to say that its global success demonstrates how appealing brilliant riddles are to all audiences.
6. Prisoners (2013)
Prisoners is a chilling crime thriller directed by Denis Villeneuve. It tells the story of two daughters who have gone missing and a father who is so desperate that he decides to take matters into his own hands.
The gloomy graphics that Roger Deakins created are praised by cinematographers because they increase the suspense in the picture. In their respective roles, Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal produce outstanding performances.
Critics highlight the moral ambiguity, which is reminiscent of The Housemaid’s investigation of the hazy boundaries between innocence and guilt throughout the film.
Throughout its lengthy runtime, the pacing manages to maintain tension, which is one of the reasons why it is such an engaging film to watch.
Villeneuve’s ability to strike a balance between emotional depth and unrelenting tension is a skill many directors spotlight.
7. Nightcrawler (2014)
Jake Gyllenhaal plays the role of a freelance cinematographer who lives on filming crime scenes for the purpose of making money in the film Nightcrawler, directed by Dan Gilroy.
A connection may be drawn between the film’s criticism on media ethics and The Housemaid’s condemnation of exploitation, as film critics have pointed out.
The neon-soaked Los Angeles sights are admired by cinematographers because they contribute to the film’s eerie tone.
Nightcrawler is recommended by screenwriters due to the character-driven suspense that it contains, in which ambition transforms into obsession.
It is one of the most unsettling contemporary thrillers, according to the editors, because of the chilling realism that it possesses.
8. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
Lisbeth Salander, a hacker who is involved in a mystery that has been going on for decades, is introduced in the film version of Stieg Larsson’s novel by David Fincher.
Rooney Mara’s performance has been hailed as classic, as it exemplifies both toughness and vulnerability, according to critics. Those in charge of cinematography emphasize the icy Scandinavian sights that contribute to the film’s unsettling atmosphere.
In a manner that is reminiscent of The Housemaid’s multifaceted narrative, editors have remarked on the film’s striking combination of psychological depth and investigative crime.
It is frequently recommended by directors as the classic modern crime thriller because it skillfully combines elements of mystery, suspense, and character intrigue.
Screenwriters also point out that the fact that it combines human drama with technological elements makes it a timeless work.
