Director Paul Feig on Crafting "The Housemaid"

Director Paul Feig recently discussed the production of his upcoming thriller, "The Housemaid," an adaptation of Freida McFadden's novel. The film features Sydney Sweeney as a housekeeper and Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar as a wealthy couple.

Engaging Through Deception: The Film's Structure

Feig explained that "The Housemaid" is engineered to deeply engage its audience, drawing them in to initially support certain characters. This groundwork leads to a significant twist that fundamentally redefines the narrative and character roles.

"The film was designed to engage the audience, allowing them to initially support characters before revealing a twist that redefines the narrative and character roles."

He noted that this structure encourages repeat viewings, as initial clues are reinterpreted once the central twist is known. Feig candidly acknowledged his method of audience manipulation, contrasting it with earlier film school principles that often opposed such techniques. He firmly asserted that manipulation is an inherent aspect of filmmaking.

Subtle Clues and Production Prowess

Production efforts focused intently on subtly guiding audience attention to obscure clues. This deception was achieved without relying on unfair plot devices, instead utilizing elements such as color, props, artwork, and nuanced actor performances.

The Role of Test Screenings and Pacing

Feig emphasized the critical importance of test screenings, conducting them early in the production process. These screenings involved analyzing audience reactions through audio recordings and night vision video.

He elaborated on the deliberate pacing of "The Housemaid," which necessitates patience in the first half to meticulously establish the groundwork for the second. This patient approach was influenced by classic films like "Once Upon a Time in the West." Tonal inspiration also came from Alfred Hitchcock, with Feig aiming to integrate humor into the thriller genre.

A Collaborative Directing Style

Regarding his directing style, Feig highlighted his openness to collaborative input, a departure from Hitchcock's renowned rigid planning. His current methodology, shaped by his work on "Arrested Development," involves arriving on set with clear ideas but maintaining flexibility for cast suggestions. He consistently collects multiple versions of scenes for evaluation during the editing phase.

The "Since U Been Gone" Moment

An illustrative example of this collaborative spirit was the selection of Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone" for a pivotal scene. Feig initially opted for Bob Seger's "Old Time Rock and Roll" but discovered it didn't resonate with younger audiences during test screenings. This led him to poll women on the crew for song suggestions, ultimately leading to the choice of the Clarkson track.

Feig's Audience-First Philosophy

Feig concluded by summarizing his filmmaking philosophy as democratic. He stated that he creates commercial movies and places a high priority on audience response, particularly from women for his female-centric films. His overarching goal is to deliver the best possible experience for viewers.