New Jersey’s production industry continues to gain momentum, with The Housemaid, starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, filming at Cinelease Studios – Caven Point in Jersey City. The psychological thriller, directed by Paul Feig, is set for a Christmas Day 2025 release and is one of the latest high-profile projects benefiting from New Jersey’s aggressive tax incentives and rapidly expanding production infrastructure.

Based on Freida McFadden’s bestselling novel, the film follows Millie (Sweeney), a woman hired as a maid by a wealthy couple, Nina (Seyfried) and Andrew Winchester (Brandon Sklenar). What begins as a promising new job quickly spirals into a suspense-filled nightmare as Millie uncovers sinister secrets inside the house.

Cinelease Caven Point Studios: A Rising Force in Film Production

Cinelease Studios – Caven Point, New Jersey’s first purpose-built film studio, has quickly become a go-to destination for major productions, offering 67,600 square feet of soundstage space, 33,500 square feet of mill and flex space, and 8,100 square feet of office space. Its strategic location just a few minutes from Manhattan provides filmmakers access to a major metropolitan talent pool, while New Jersey’s film incentives make it a cost-effective alternative to New York.

The film has also taken advantage of North Jersey’s diverse filming locations, shooting scenes at a private estate in Madison, Rutt’s Hut in Clifton, Green Way Markets in Ridgewood, and The Peck School in Morristown. The production has blended controlled studio work at Cinelease Caven Point with the authenticity of real-world locations, enhancing the thriller’s unsettling atmosphere.

New Jersey’s Film Incentives Drive Unprecedented Growth

New Jersey’s Film & Digital Media Tax Credit Program has played a major role in attracting productions like The Housemaid. The program now offers a 30-35% transferable tax credit on qualified production expenses, with an additional 2% or 4% diversity hiring bonus.

Since the incentive program’s reinstatement in 2018, New Jersey’s film industry has generated over $2.4 billion in qualified production spending, with $592 million in 2023 alone. More than 1,891 productions have been filmed in the state since 2021, including 223 feature films, 43 miniseries, and 331 television series. The state currently boasts 70 soundstages, with another 70 expected by 2026, reflecting its rapid expansion.

In May 2024, Netflix was officially designated a New Jersey studio partner, allowing the streamer to access a 40% base tax credit for future productions in the state. Netflix has now received approval to begin construction on its $903 million Fort Monmouth studio complex, which will house 12 soundstages and serve as the company’s East Coast production headquarters.

Over the decade, Cinelease Caven Point has hosted a range of high-profile productions, including A Murder at the End of the World, Wild ’N Out Season 17, Daddio, Dumb Money, American Horror Stories Season 3 and Kiss of the Spider Woman.

Between purpose-built studios, aggressive tax incentives, and a growing reputation as a film-friendly state, New Jersey is no longer just an alternative to Hollywood—it’s becoming a top-tier production hub in its own right.