Totally Booked with Zibby

Special Guest: Paul Feig on “The Housemaid” Adaptation

Original Air Date: December 19, 2025
Host: Zibby Owens
Guest: Paul Feig (Director/Producer)
Context: Discussion of the film adaptation of Freida McFadden’s bestseller The Housemaid

Episode Overview

This episode features a lively and insightful conversation between host Zibby Owens and acclaimed director Paul Feig about his new film adaptation of The Housemaid by Freida McFadden. The pair delve into the process of translating a popular psychological thriller from page to screen, explore the intricacies of adaptation, discuss class and power dynamics, and reflect on the role of art as both entertainment and social commentary. Paul Feig also shares stories from set, his perspective on the current state of movies, and advice for creative aspirants.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Genesis of “The Housemaid” Adaptation

• Initial Attraction to the Project

  • Feig first read the script, which intrigued him enough to immediately read McFadden’s novel for deeper insight.
  • Quote: “I was really, you know, surprised by everything in it. And then I immediately say, okay, now I have to read the book.” (06:14)
  • The adaptation process required balancing fidelity to the beloved book with necessary cinematic changes.

• Approach to Adaptation

  • Screenwriter Rebecca Sonnenshine’s script successfully “cherry-picked” structural elements from the book.
  • Feig and the team reintroduced select book details and expanded moments (especially the climax) to heighten the cinematic experience.

• The ‘Nancy Meyers movie gone wrong’ Visual Concept

  • Feig’s vision was to create an inviting, beautiful space that subtly hints at underlying danger.
  • Quote: “This has to be like a Nancy Meyers movie that goes horribly wrong.” (04:27)
  • The film’s set and costumes were deliberately both aspirational and sinister.

2. Set Design, Symbolism, and Cinematic Touches

• Symbolic Use of Space and Décor

  • Production designer Elizabeth Jones crafted an atmosphere rich in subtext, using art and color for thematic depth.
  • Quote: “Artwork around that was very female centric, but also male gaze at the same time…like the big Gauguin…the living room and his whole history with women…” (04:59)

• Foreshadowing with Color and Texture

  • Red was intentionally used to foreshadow danger and unease in the seemingly pristine environment.
  • Quote: “They really wanted to play with that. That's kind of symbolize that there's danger in this house, even though it looks really, you know, lovely and perfect and pure.” (05:32)

3. Music as a Storytelling Device

• Feig is known for his meticulous approach to music in film.
• Finding Millie’s Sound: Linda Ronstadt’s music ended up embodying the protagonist’s emotional arc.
  • Quote: “I was very, very hung up on wanting to find what's Millie's sound. And to me, it's Linda Ronstadt.” (08:21)
• Composer Teddy Shapiro started composing before filming began, ensuring character themes felt organic.
• The female vocal motif in the score added tension without falling into horror clichés.
• About music choices: “I'm really hung up on the music in movies. It's really important to me. And to get that right, to not have it be something you're like, you know, get jarred out of the movie.” (09:35)

4. Storytelling, Power Dynamics, and Social Commentary

• Class and Privilege

  • The contrast between Millie (living out of her car) and the wealthy employers is central, but so is the risk of snap judgments.
  • Quote: “...how the judgments that we make at first that we're so convinced that are right can be wrong and can be horribly wrong.” (16:25)

• Art’s Role: To Entertain, Not Preach

  • Feig dislikes “important” movies that feel like homework, preferring subtle moral undercurrents.
  • Quote: “If somebody has a great time, because that was so much fun, and then they're like, oh, I never thought about this...That's great. What I don't like is I hate when somebody says, this is a very important movie. It's like, I don't want to see an important movie. That sounds like homework to me.” (17:45, 18:17)

5. The Experience of Moviegoing and Theaters

• Feig laments that the communal aspect of watching movies in theaters can’t be replicated by streaming at home.
• Quote: “When you see a movie that you love for the first time in a theater, you carry that experience...And that just makes a movie much more special to you and makes it kind of a treasured memory.” (22:00)
• On drawing crowds back to theaters: “I think it's up to us as filmmakers to make people want to go...You have to make things undeniable.” (20:36)

6. Turning Books into Movies: What Makes a Book Adaptable?

• Strong, engaging characters with a clear narrative drive are key.
• The story must be ‘undeniable’ on screen, not necessarily “big” but unique.
• Quote: “It's got to be great characters that are very engaging, has to be a story that makes you lean in and pulls you through, has a good driver in the middle of it that just drives you through the story.” (23:00)
• Maximalism is more compelling than shock-for-shock’s sake.
• Characters need to be “extreme but not unreal…those are the people we want to watch on the screen or we want to read about.” (23:58)

7. Creativity, Career, and Advice for Aspiring Artists

• Perseverance and adaptability are crucial; embrace unique personal stories.
• Quote: “You have to really, really want it. You have to be undeterred by things that don't work out…if you're creative, you have to find your own voice and tell your own stories because your stories are unique to you.” (26:35)
• Experience trumps imitation or the “AI” approach to creativity: “That's why I don't worry about AI as much as everybody else does...It doesn't have any experience.” (27:44)

8. Freida McFadden’s Writing & The Joy of Twists

• Feig connects with McFadden’s prolific creativity and her twists.
• Quote: “What's been fun about doing this movie with Frida is now I'm just reading all of Frida's books, and it's really fun. She's really great. I, You Know, I got to hang out with her a bunch. And I was just like, how do you do it? Like, you know, she...writes a book, like, every three months.” (18:35)
• The adaptation process was collaborative, drawing on McFadden’s techniques for structuring twists.

9. Future Projects & Hopes for “The Housemaid”

• Feig is eager to revisit Millie if the film finds success, noting the depth McFadden brings to her protagonists.
• Quote: “It depends how the movie does. I would love to revisit Millie. I think Millie’s, you know, we really set her up really well in this movie…And I love the books.” (25:17)
• Favorite way to celebrate? Sneaking into packed theaters on opening weekend to experience audience reactions first-hand. (25:39)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “This has to be like a Nancy Meyers movie that goes horribly wrong.” – Paul Feig (04:27)
• “I was very, very hung up on wanting to find what's Millie's sound. And to me, it's Linda Ronstadt.” – Paul Feig (08:21)
• “What I fell in love with is the chance to really mess with an audience in a way that I hadn't done before. Because what's brilliant about Frida's book is...she makes you root for everything you should not be rooting for for the first half.” – Paul Feig (11:08)
• “If somebody has a great time, because that was so much fun, and then they're like, oh, I never thought about this…that's great.” – Paul Feig (17:45)
• “Your stories are unique to you. Don't try to recreate other people's stories…bring your own.” – Paul Feig (26:35)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [04:08] – Paul Feig joins and discusses set design vision and adaptation
• [06:08] – How and why Feig got involved, collaboration with Rebecca Sonnenshine
• [07:55] – The ending, music choices, and building immersive atmosphere
• [11:08] – Challenges and joys of audience manipulation
• [16:05] – Discussing class, privilege, and societal messages
• [17:45] – Art as subtle commentary vs. overt statement
• [20:36] – Moviegoing, streaming vs. theater experiences
• [23:00] – What makes a book ideal for adaptation
• [26:35] – Advice for creatives, why personal experience matters

Conclusion

This episode offers a rich behind-the-scenes look at the creative process behind The Housemaid, giving listeners an appreciation for the art of adaptation and the emotional and intellectual layers that can be achieved in thoughtful filmmaking. Paul Feig’s wit, candor, and dedication shine through, making the episode essential listening for book lovers, film buffs, and anyone curious about how bestsellers make their way to the big screen.

(For more author insights, book recommendations, and future episodes, follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram and visit zibbymedia.com.)