5 Movies Like 'The Housemaid' That Explore Dark Secrets Behind Closed Doors, Ranked by RT

It's hard to believe, but the studio initially planned to release The Housemaid directly on streaming platforms, bypassing theaters. However, Paul Feig's thriller ultimately grossed over $380 million despite its $35 million budget.

The secret to its success lies in its perfect blend of a twisted detective story, an erotic thriller, and a psychological drama about domestic violence.

If you were captivated by this cocktail of mystery, tension, and dangerous relationships, we've rounded up five other movies that follow the same formula.

5. 'What Lies Beneath', 2000

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 49%

Claire is the wife of an ambitious university professor. She is convinced that a murder has occurred in her neighbor's house. Over time, she begins to see the ghost of a missing woman who used to be her husband's student.

Her husband tries to explain everything away as the aftermath of an accident Claire was in a year ago. Meanwhile, her psychiatrist advises her to communicate with the ghost.

Eventually, Claire sees herself from a distance and begins to understand the past events. She realizes that she has forgotten some important details and that her loved one may not be as honest as she thought.

4. 'Fatal Attraction', 1987

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 74%

Dan Gallagher is a successful Manhattan lawyer living with his wife and daughter. While his family is away, he begins an affair with his editor, Alex. He perceives it as a brief fling and tries to end the relationship before his wife returns.

However, Alex slashes her wrists. Fortunately, it's not fatal. Unfortunately, things don't stop there. His mistress begins stalking him obsessively, and then his entire family.

Verbal threats escalate into property damage. Fearing that his daughter might be harmed, Dan finally decides to resolve the situation but things only get worse.

3. 'A Simple Favor', 2018

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 84%

Stephanie is a single mother who runs a food blog. Sometimes, she seems too involved in her son's school life. One day, she meets Emily, a busy and distant mother who is also raising a son.

Unexpectedly, the two women find common ground and become close friends. But then Emily leaves for Miami and simply disappears.

While trying to find Emily, Stephanie grows close to her husband. Some time later, the police discover Emily's body but then something strange begins to happen.

2. 'Gone Girl', 2014

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88%

On their fifth wedding anniversary, Nick discovers that his wife, Amy, is missing. All evidence points to a kidnapping. He contacts the police, and the case receives widespread publicity.

With his support, the detectives try to find Amy, but they gradually begin to suspect that Nick may have staged the kidnapping himself. It turns out that the couple had been arguing, they were in debt, and Amy had recently increased her insurance policy.

Over time, Nick uncovers clues that help him piece together what happened. However, the truth turns out to be much more complex.

1. 'The Handmaiden', 2016

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%

At the beginning of the 20th century, Nam Sook-hee gets a job as a maid for Hideko, an heiress with a vast fortune. An accomplice posing as a count wants to seduce and marry Hideko, commit her to a mental hospital, and steal all her money.

Sook-hee must help him carry out the plan. However, it turns out that the accomplice has something more cunning and cruel in mind.