The Housemaid (2016) User Reviews

Old school horror from Vietnam

[phanthinga · 6/10 · 24 February 2018]

As a Vietnamese myself I never care about the film industry in Vietnam cause they often produce way too many awful movie so to see a movie especially my favorite genre horror from my homeland get the attention from the West is awesome but at the same time I'm not biased at all when review The Housemaid cause it still a genetic Asian horror movie with the usual twitching dark woman.It not scary and the mellow drama not helping anything but I will give props to the director for trying the best he can to deliver a enjoyable horror movie without the bad taste joke or over the top acting I usually see in a Vietnam movie

Not a bad story, could have used more horror scenes

[deloudelouvain · 6/10 · 1 May 2018]

I never expect very much when I watch a Vietnamese movie. Most of the time they are not that great due to overacting and things like that. But with The Housemaid I never had that feeling, on the contrary I thought all the actors were good for once. For the horror part I was expecting more though. Okay it's a bit dark and there are some good passages but the movie could have used more of those moments. The story wasn't bad either. It came even with a twist that I didn't see coming and that's always good. I would not go that far that I would watch it again but it's worth a watch. When it's about Asian movies the Korean ones are definitely the best ones but this Vietnamese one was better then I expected it to be.

It was great though there are some holes in it

[Misss25 · 7/10 · 19 March 2021]

I like the story overall. The affair between the housemaid and the owner.All the ghosts stories how his wife and child died, how he killed all those vietnamese bla blaaa.All those ghosts keep killing people who are returing their home but why?Not all people are guilty!! What about those zombies shown in some scenes.Okay I understand those are done to make audience believe it's all done by ghost and zombies. But why all of a suddend it was shown that Linh and detective are brother and sister, they all done this for taking revenge.If they were too young than how can they killed people then?

Not Awful

[Foutainoflife · 6/10 · 6 August 2018]

This moves at an extremely slow pace. Other than that, there isn't a lot to say. It's a ghost story but it isn't scary. The acting was ok There were a few plot holes that are a bit irritating simply because I prefer loose end to be tied up. I love good ghost stories and there's not many out there so anytime I can find one that has a decent rating I have to check it out. If you enjoy ghost movies you might find this entertaining.

Good Ghost Story, but...

[lfattina · 6/10 · 7 May 2018]

So the movie in it's entire run was a really good story. If you happen to get that far. I was tempted to shut it off at times either because it was too slow paced and seemed to go nowhere or i found myself asking why was i watching it. I did end up fast forwarding through some parts though. Also the adding in of the everyones footsteps after filming really threw me off. So that being said, it was a really good story and once you figure out the whole mystery you'll say to yourself "wow that really was a good story". Again if you've even gotten that far. I wouldn't put this in the horror category though. I watched it at night, in the dark and not once did i feel scared.

If you're into ghost stories with a romance and a mystery this one is for you. If you're looking to get scared, i'd look elsewhere.

Gothic shlock with one trope too many

[shakercoola · 5/10 · 21 July 2018]

A Vietnamese romance horror; A story of an orphaned country girl who works as a housekeeper on a haunted former rubber plantation estate in 1953 Vietnam. This gothic tale attempts too much in its telling - ghost story, zombie horror, erotic thriller, slave trade tale, period drama with burgeoning romance. With so many secrets spilling out in the finale of this supernatural horror there is a feeling that the viewer has been tricked rather then coaxed with subtle explanation.

Gothic horror with a sorrowful heart.

[el7 · 7/10 · 4 June 2020]

This Vietnamese film, known as The Housemaid in English, is not to be confused with the Korean films of the same name. The plot''s catalyst of a beautiful woman who goes to work as a housemaid at a wealthy estate and winds up falling into an affair with the master of that estate is similar, but that is pretty much where the similarities end. The Housemaid is set at a French plantation in Vietnam in the 1950s, and this movie is straight up Gothic horror. The supernatural element is introduced very early and utilized with all of the whispering, mirror glimpsing, spooky forest, water where it shouldn't be, creepy laughter, slamming doors, flying furniture, babies crying when there ain't no babies tropes that one would expect from Gothic horror. All is not as it appears to be with this either, except... some of it still is. The script withholds information until the end in order to keep a major plot element a secret, but I think most viewers will begin to suspect, because some of the ghost's actions don't make sense for the actual ghost to have done... and some of them do, even when you find out that there was another element that was supposed to have been at play. There is a deep well of sadness at the heart of this film's plot, as this fits into the very broad category of a tragedy plot. Order is restored in a way that brings catharsis, which is what a tragedy plot is supposed to do. This is definitely worth a watch if you don't mind frequent subtitles.

Convoluted

[halfxbreed23 · 5/10 · 18 September 2018]

Simple. Unlike this movies third act - This movie sets up alot of things right, spooky house, black veil ghost, older setting, all done well. However, the plot gets lost along the way somewhere towards the last 20 minutes. When everything is supposed to either be ambiguous or tied off in a neat ribbon, it completely drops the ball.

Not especially original or innovative

[christopher-underwood · 7/10 · 4 November 2020]

Not especially original or innovative but given the beautifully shot Vietnamese locales this turns out to be a very watchable variation on a theme. The main interiors of the wonderful colonial dwelling also make for a sumptuous setting. Slightly unsettling for an English viewer is that the mix of local Vietnamese and English speakers actually represents the indigenous people and the French invaders at the time of the conflict in the early 50s in what was then known as Indo China. Once we accept the English speakers are French rubber plantation owners with a bad history the scene is set for spooky goings on in the lovely old house and the fantastic and scenic woods and surrounding area. Bit reminiscent of those 60s Japanese ghost story films but more explicit and more sexy. Very enjoyable and if not full of surprises, the ending probably will be.

All the white dudes stealing our ladies

[etcinephile1 · 1/10 · 12 November 2021]

I mean, maybe I'm biases or something but why does it have to be the white man falling "in love" with our Asian women? As a Vietnamese American myself, I couldn't support this in any way shape or form. I actually despise the idea as a whole. It wouldn't make any sense to me, should've hired me instead to be honest.

Disturbing Thriller from Vietnam

[thalassafischer · 7/10 · 5 November 2023]

This version of The Housemaid is NOT a remake of the 2010 Korean film of the same English title. The plot is completely different despite the similar occupation of the two main characters.

The details of this film are deeply disturbing, from the infanticide and suicide by way of post-partum depression of Madame while left alone during war in a strange country, to the horrendous details about the murders of Vietnamese plantation workers on the same estate just a generation prior.

However, the execution is only as good as it should be. The film is beautiful and the acting is very convincing. But the horror scenes went from spooky to hokey over the course of this flick, and when I got to the excellent ending I honestly wondered if all of the sex scenes were even necessary. Described as a "bloodcurdling, erotic tour-de-force" the truth of the matter is the erotic elements of this film are exploitative and icky in context of the narrative. Unlike the 2010 Korean version of The Housemaid (which has an entirely different plot) the affair between the poor, wretched girl and the older wealthy man is more enraging and gross than erotic.

The Housemaid review

[JoeytheBrit · 5/10 · 23 June 2020]

The unusual setting of 1950s Indochina under French colonial rule provides Derek Nguyen's horror-romance hybrid with an element of interest that just about prevents it from being written off as yet another generic genre film. Kate Nhung is very sympathetic as Linh, a young peasant girl who wins a job as housemaid to a French captain on a rubber plantation, but her growing relationship with the young captain, and subsequent conflict with other staff members doesn't provide enough impetus. The horror elements are incredibly weak, both in terms of plot development and scares.

Maybe I missed something?

[MagicMurderFan · 3/10 · 25 June 2020]

Super confusing movie. Too many ghosts running around this place. Too many cliche characters all crammed into the storyline. Angry crazy dead wife ghost that killed a baby who now is baby ghost, dead worker ghosts hanging from trees, and zombie ghosts? This made no sense, was it a revenge plot or a possession, I guess both? Supposedly, Lihn was the lady in black, pretty interesting ax skills. This was just silly. The part where she hits the guy for cheating on her, I burst out laughing. Pretty bad acting from the main actress. Why would the dead wife help her? She was an evil plantation owner too! No sense. Still confused.

Effective slow building horror

[perettev · 8/10 · 17 January 2020]

I thought the pacing was perfect and I liked the blending of the horror done by man that leads to just though heartbreaking justice. The ending was effective and well-done. I will watch this one again.

Low budget, small but efficient scares, political commentary in guise of romantic horror.

[msghall · 8/10 · 7 November 2018]

With elements of master-servant romantic relationships in both the Korean film of the same name and Vietnam's superior "Scent of Green Papaya," like those movies, this solid movie does much with very little. What seems like a simple haunting with romantic overtones turns into an epic tale underpinning a much larger morality tale of retribution for colonial injustice. While too slow for many Westerners, this movie makes the most of what it has, never overplaying but keeping viewers guessing. Don't get too comfortable or bored because the whole thing wraps up in a tight, illuminating ending that resonates after the credits. You'll be glad you stay until the end. But be warned: if you were looking for easy romance or obvious horror, you're likely to be disappointed. There's much more to "The Housemaid" than kisses and scares.

Recommended.

[parry_na · 8/10 · 5 March 2021]

To begin with, the viewer is overwhelmed with ideas. Soothed by the impressive photography and evocative locations, the revelations and twists soon become less disorientating. Derek Nguyun is a very good director; whilst watching, I actually felt he was playing with my mind - which was his intention, I'm sure!

Linh (Kate Nhung), is a shy and humble new housemaid. Our sympathies rest with her as her good nature is taken for granted and she is treated less well than she should be. As her confidence grows, however, events become less easy to predict. It's an intriguing set-up, and Nhung is excellent.

As a horror film, this is rather less successful. The scares are tepid and it's down to the ambience of the opulent surroundings to provide something creepy - which it does, but I could have done with more actual thrills. By the end though, the twisting plot pays off and brings to an end a highly enjoyable film. My score is 8 out of 10.