Sydney Sweeney Talks Intimate Scenes in ‘The Housemaid’

Paul Feig admits he was the most nervous person on set while filming the intimate scenes for his new thriller, The Housemaid. The director, known for comedies like Bridesmaids and The Heat, switched gears for this project, which stars Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried.

Speaking to LADbible, Feig said he enjoyed the challenge of the film, which involved shooting over 200 scenes in just 34 days.

The story, based on Freida McFadden’s novel, follows a maid working for a wealthy family with dark secrets and includes some physical and intimate moments.

“I mean I’m probably the least comfortable when shooting those kinds of scenes,” Feig admitted. He credited the film’s intimacy coordinator, Lizzy, for guiding him through the process. “It makes my life much better because I’m always just so worried about offending anybody or saying something the wrong way.”

Feig explained that, after the first half day, filming intimate scenes started to feel more like choreographed stunts. “You’re nervous getting on set and by half a day in, you’re just like, ‘Ok’, it just becomes like a stunt, like a fight scene.”

The collaboration between Feig and the actors was key to making the scenes work. He described working with Sweeney, Seyfried, and Brandon Sklenar as a team effort. “I would always give the power to the actors on that. I never want an actor to feel uncomfortable, or like I’m asking something out of line,” he said.

The cast praised Feig for his thoughtfulness.

Make yourself at home. The Housemaid: coming to theaters December 19. pic.twitter.com/zg1IUYLDLJ

— The Housemaid (@HousemaidMovie) September 16, 2025

Sweeney called him a “very thoughtful, kind and considerate filmmaker” while Seyfried noted, “I feel like we have more experience that Paul will ever have at like… anything; stunts, intimacy scenes, dances, violence.”

Both actresses said Feig’s caution and care were endearing. “Of course we’re really protective of ourselves, but it’s kind of endearing when the director is like, ‘Please be careful, you don’t have to do that, if you don’t want to,’” Seyfried explained. Sweeney added that working with an intimacy coordinator made the process much easier.

Sklenar highlighted the planning and communication required to film intimate scenes. “They’re very delicate, and there’s a lot of planning that gets involved and a lot of communication. We felt extremely comfortable, largely because Paul is who he is, and he’s just such a warm hearted, kind person,” he said.

He added that Feig being more nervous than the actors showed “where his heart’s at” and helped the scenes succeed.

The Housemaid is scheduled to be released in the United States on December 19.

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