Amy Adams’ latest film, Nightbitch, directed by Marielle Heller, delves into the primal aspects of motherhood with dark humor. The film recently premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and had its UK debut at the London Film Festival, receiving mixed responses from critics and audiences, according to the New York Post.
In Nightbitch, Adams portrays a suburban stay-at-home mom referred to only as “Mother,” who has paused her career as a visual artist to care for her two-year-old son while her husband is frequently away on business trips. The character grapples with feelings of isolation and frustration as she navigates the monotony and challenges of early motherhood. Rolling Stone reports that Mother feels trapped in a “prison of [her] own creation,” highlighting the sacrifices and identity struggles that come with the role.
As the story unfolds, Mother begins to experience bizarre physical changes, including sprouting fur in strange places, sharper teeth, and the emergence of a tail. These transformations lead her to believe she is turning into a dog. The New York Times notes that this metamorphosis serves as a metaphor for the overwhelming transformation and wildness that motherhood can bring.
Adams’ performance has been widely praised. USA Today considers her the best part of Nightbitch, noting her ability to convey both the adoration and primitive fire within her character. The Los Angeles Times commends her for bringing authenticity to the role, with her performance “ringing loud and clear and true.”
Director Marielle Heller, known for her previous films The Diary of a Teenage Girl and Can You Ever Forgive Me?, brings a keen eye for visuals and sharp dialogue to Nightbitch. Heller wanted to reflect the protagonist’s mental space, where she’s not locked into current events, according to Forbes. She was drawn to Rachel Yoder’s 2021 bestselling novel on which the film is based, finding it to be an honest reflection of her own experiences as a mother.
Heller faced challenges in adapting the novel, particularly in depicting the mother’s internal life, which was dark and filled with thoughts she wouldn’t normally say out loud, as she told Variety. To capture this, the film contrasts Mother’s spoken words with her panicky internal thoughts, creating moments of dark comedy.
The film explores themes of identity, gender roles, and the rage that can accompany the pressures of motherhood. Elle describes Nightbitch as a “darkly comedic, visceral exploration” of these concepts. The Independent highlights how the film depicts the crushing burden of the mental load that women often shoulder alone, particularly through the character of Mother, who is left to do the heavy lifting of child-rearing by herself.
Adams’ character feels alienated from other mothers and struggles with societal expectations. Rolling Stone reports that when she runs into a former colleague who comments on the supposed joy of spending concentrated time with her toddler, Mother feels further isolated. The film critiques the idealized view of motherhood often presented on social media and by “momfluencers,” showcasing instead the monotony, exile from adult life, and identity loss that can occur.
Supporting performances include Scoot McNairy as Mother’s husband, who remains oblivious to his wife’s struggles, deepening her resentment. The Guardian comments that McNairy gives a solid and credible performance, portraying a husband prone to halfhearted efforts to help out and casually leaving for a job that exacerbates his wife’s feelings of being overwhelmed and unsupported.
Jessica Harper plays Norma, a keen-eyed librarian who recommends esoteric works that contribute to Mother’s decision to seek change. Harper’s performance adds older wisdom and mystery to the story, according to The Guardian.
Nightbitch balances moments of dark humor with sharp insights into the realities of motherhood. The film uses elements of magical realism to illustrate Mother’s journey toward self-discovery and empowerment. Forbes notes that the film finds personal perfection in the imperfect and chaotic, reminding parents it’s okay not to be okay.
Despite its surreal premise, the film resonates with many mothers who have expressed feelings of relief after screenings. Forbes reports that Heller shared how mothers have said, “You’re putting this into words the way that I felt it, and I’ve never seen it expressed this way before.”
While reception has been mixed, with some critics noting that the film beautifully depicts the joy of parenting a young child but could have delved deeper into its fiercer convictions (The New York Times), Nightbitch offers an honest and profoundly moving portrayal of motherhood. The Independent describes it as a film that acknowledges the crushing burden of the mental load that women often shoulder alone, providing a raw and nuanced depiction of motherhood’s animalistic quality and complex emotions.
In Nightbitch, Amy Adams delivers a fearless portrayal of a woman on the verge of imploding, channeling her own experiences as a mother. According to ABC News, Adams, who is a mother to daughter Aviana in real life, says her own experience informed her performance in the role.
Marielle Heller hopes that Nightbitch will open conversations for couples around the division of labor and larger issues, challenging the status quo. Forbes quotes Heller saying she believes there is a version of motherhood that doesn’t reflect reality and hopes the film makes people feel less lonely in their parenting experiences.
Nightbitch is a Searchlight Pictures film, and while an exact release date for streaming has not yet been announced, Elle reports that it will eventually be available on platforms like Hulu or Disney+, depending on the viewer’s location.
