Maid
Hard work, low pay and a mother's will to survive.
Maid
Hard work, low pay and a mother's will to survive.
After fleeing an abusive relationship, a young mother finds a job cleaning houses as she fights to provide for her child and build them a better future.
Accuracy Verdict
Get ready for the most heart-wrenching and inspiring true story, 'Maid' will leave you speechless!
Behind the Scenes
- The real-life Alex, Stephanie Land, had to fight for her story to be told, and it was initially rejected by over 20 publishers before it became a bestseller
- The production team spent months researching and consulting with domestic workers to ensure the authenticity of the story, even hiring a 'maid consultant' to advise on set
- Andie MacDowell, who plays Paula, Alex's mother, was so moved by the script that she agreed to do the film without even discussing her salary
- The film's director, John Wells, had to navigate the challenges of filming during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the cast and crew working under strict safety protocols
- Margaret Qualley, who plays Alex, spent hours perfecting her character's mannerisms and speech patterns by watching interviews with the real Stephanie Land
- The iconic 'trailer' where Alex and her daughter Maddy live was actually a real trailer park in Washington state, and the production team had to renovate it to make it look like the one in the book
- The film's score was composed by Isobel Waller-Bridge, who is also a renowned cellist and has worked with artists like Radiohead and Foo Fighters
- The cast and crew held a special screening of the film for the real Stephanie Land and her family, who were overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude
Did You Know?
- The book 'Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother's Will to Survive' by Stephanie Land has been optioned for film and TV rights multiple times, but it wasn't until the producers of 'Big Little Lies' and 'The Handmaid's Tale' got on board that the project finally took off
- The film's cinematographer, Eric Koretz, used a special camera rig to capture the intimate and claustrophobic feeling of the trailer, which added to the overall sense of tension and desperation
- The real Stephanie Land has said that she was initially hesitant to have her story told on screen, but was won over by the passion and dedication of the cast and crew
- The film's production designer, Dan Bishop, created over 100 different sets and locations to bring the story to life, including the trailer, the cleaning clients' homes, and the domestic violence shelter
- Margaret Qualley did extensive research on domestic violence and its effects on women and children, and worked closely with the National Domestic Violence Hotline to ensure the film's portrayal was accurate and sensitive
- The film's editor, Annie J. Howell, used a unique editing technique to convey the fragmented and disjointed nature of Alex's experiences, which added to the overall sense of disorientation and confusion
- The film's costume designer, Marie Schley, created over 50 different costumes for Margaret Qualley to wear throughout the film, each one reflecting a different aspect of Alex's personality and emotional state
- The film's score features a haunting cello solo that was improvised by Isobel Waller-Bridge during the recording session, and has become one of the most memorable and emotive moments in the film
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