The Housemaid is set to give Indian audiences a steamy start to 2026 — but not exactly the unrated experience seen overseas. The Hollywood thriller, which hit Western cinemas on December 19, arrives in India with mandatory edits from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The cuts remove several intimate moments and certain expletives, trimming about eight minutes from the original film.
CBFC cuts: what was asked and what changed
The CBFC granted the film an ‘A’ certificate on December 4 after requesting modifications. The Examining Committee asked the studio to mute a few strong expletives (listed as ‘b***h’, ‘c**t’ and ‘motherf****r’) and to delete “nudity visuals of women’s breasts…whenever it occurs.”
As a result, roughly eight minutes of footage were removed — one of the largest cuts demanded by the board in recent times. Sources say a long, intense lovemaking scene involving Sydney Sweeney has been cut entirely for India, and another similar intimate sequence has also been trimmed. A scene showing Amanda Seyfried using a breast pump was reportedly removed as well.
Not all nudity was excised. A brief shot showing the male lead Brandon Sklenar‘s buttocks remains in the Indian print.
How the edits affect the runtime
The original runtime of the film was 131 minutes 46 seconds (2:11:46). After the CBFC-directed cuts and the inclusion of anti-smoking ads placed at the start and after the interval, the Indian runtime is now 125 minutes 46 seconds (2:05:46).
Industry insiders who have seen the censored version say the core narrative and the film’s erotic tension remain largely intact despite the deletions. Still, purists expecting the uncut Western cut may find the Indian version noticeably trimmed in its most intimate moments.
Plot snapshot — what the film is about
The Housemaid follows the story of a woman on parole who is desperate to find work. She lands a job as a housemaid in the sprawling home of a wealthy family. At first everything appears ordinary, but she soon realises that her life may be at risk while working for them. The film blends psychological thriller beats with erotic drama, anchored by performances from Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried.
What audiences can expect in India
- Expect a bold, suspense-filled story with sexual themes, but with explicit breast nudity removed in compliance with the CBFC.
- Dialogues carry some muting of strong language, so a few offensive words are not audible in the Indian print.
- Despite the cuts, the film’s spine — its twists, performances and dark atmosphere — is said to be preserved.
Final note
For viewers curious about the original material, the uncensored version released overseas remains the complete experience. In India, however, the edited cut is the one approved for theatrical release, arriving with an adult certificate and a slightly shorter running time as the new year begins.
