Secrets to Commercial Filmmaking With 'The Housemaid' Director Paul Feig

The Town with Matthew Belloni

The Ringer

Society & Culture

4.3 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 20 March 2026

⏱️ 34 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Matt is joined by director and writer Paul Feig ('A Simple Favor,' 'Bridesmaids,' 'Spy') to discuss his latest movie, ‘The Housemaid.’ They dive into why he thinks the movie was so successful, what’s behind his high career hit rate, his unique process (including why he loves test screenings), and the keys to commercial success (00:00). Matt finishes the show by answering an industry-related question from Craig (28:29). Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Paul Feig Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jon Jones Theme Song: Devon Renaldo The Clyburn family searches for connection in Montana's Madison Valley. The Madison, New Series now streaming - only on Paramount+ This episode is brought to you by AMC+. Start your free trial today at join.amcplus.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Your morning toast is shaking.
0:02.0	Because the McDonald's breakfast bundle means you can bag a sausage sandwich and a selected drink for 299.
0:08.0	Name a better way to start your day.
0:10.0	Wake up and get that saver satisfaction.
0:13.0	Until 11am. Not on delivery includes a sausage sandwich and a selected drink.
0:19.0	Price and participation may vary.
0:29.8	This episode of The Town is brought to you by The Madison, the new original series on Paramount Plus.
0:35.1	Academy Award nominee Taylor Sheridan's most intimate story yet, unlike anything he's ever done before.
0:36.0	The Madison follows a family raised in a world of digital distraction
0:39.4	forced by tragedy to truly see one another and come together.
0:43.7	Authentic, multi-layered, and did I mention starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell?
0:48.7	Don't miss The Madison.
0:50.4	New series streaming March 14th, only on Paramount Plus.
0:55.0	It is Friday, March 20th.
0:57.7	The media covering Hollywood loves to analyze failures.
1:00.6	Certainly do our share on the town.
1:02.5	But there's less introspection about the outsized hits, even the out-of-nowhere blockbusters.
1:08.6	The Housemaid, a thriller starring Sidney and Amanda Seifred based on the book by
1:13.6	Freedom McFadden.
1:14.8	That was made for about $35 million and released in December by Lionsgate.
1:19.1	It's now grossed nearly 400 million worldwide, including 270 million outside the U.S.
1:25.8	and Canada.
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from The Ringer, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of The Ringer and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.