‘The Housemaid’ Star Brandon Sklenar Opens Up About Growing Up in a ‘Haunted’ Cabin

Brandon Sklenar, one of the breakout stars of the upcoming thriller The Housemaid, is reflecting on a childhood shaped by upheaval, imagination and survival. The 35-year-old actor recently revealed that he spent much of his early life living in what he believed was a “haunted” hunting cabin in New Jersey.

In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Sklenar said his parents’ divorce when he was six created years of instability. He was frequently moved between homes, leaving him without a consistent sense of place during his formative years.

Life Inside an 1880s Hunting Cabin

As he grew older, Sklenar spent most of his time living with his father and grandparents in an old hunting cabin on Lake Hopatcong. Built in the 1880s, the three-story wooden structure left a lasting impression on him.

“It smelled like wood and had a weird vibe, as if haunted,” Sklenar recalled. Despite its eerie atmosphere, the cabin became the most stable home he knew growing up.

Struggles in School and an Active Inner World

Sklenar admitted that he struggled academically and often acted out in school. He described himself as a confrontational and angry child who found it difficult to focus unless something genuinely interested him.

Much of his time was spent in his own imagination as a way to self-soothe. That inner world eventually became the foundation for his passion for acting. By the age of 13, Sklenar said he could clearly visualize himself becoming an actor.

A Risky Move to Los Angeles

After high school, Sklenar briefly attended community college before dropping out and driving to Los Angeles with his then-girlfriend. Financial struggles quickly followed. The couple was evicted from their apartment, and after their breakup, Sklenar lived in his car for a period of time.

His fortunes changed unexpectedly at Mel’s Drive-In, where he asked a stranger for a cigarette. The man turned out to be a talent manager who signed him on the spot and helped him secure representation.

Years of Persistence Before a Breakthrough

Sklenar spent years landing small roles while studying acting with Howard Fine and training at the Beverly Hills Playhouse. His major breakthrough came with the series 1923, created by Taylor Sheridan.

Landing the role was an emotional moment. Sklenar said he cried after receiving the news, knowing his life had finally shifted.

A New Chapter With ‘The Housemaid’

Sklenar now stars alongside Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried in The Housemaid, a film adaptation of Freida McFadden’s bestselling novel. The psychological thriller was filmed in New Jersey at a historic mansion in Madison.

The film follows a live-in maid whose fresh start turns into a dangerous game of secrets and power. Director Paul Feig has praised the chemistry between Sweeney and Seyfried, calling it electric.

Today, Sklenar lives in Santa Barbara with his girlfriend and their dog, far removed from the haunted cabin and his years of struggle. He credits his difficult childhood for shaping his resilience and creative drive.