Amy Adams plays ‘Mother’, a full-time stay-at-home mum to her toddler son. Throughout the day, she often takes her son to the park or the local library, where other toddlers and mothers gather to play games and sing songs. Throughout each day, she consistently maintains a positive attitude when interacting with others. Although she is married, her husband (Scoot McNairy) frequently travels for work, and when he is home, she still struggles to find moments of peace and relaxation. Through narration and alternate perspectives, it becomes clear that she is unhappy and struggling to maintain a healthy mindset due to her demanding responsibilities as a mother.
One day, while playing with her toddler, her son notices that she has some hair sticking out on her back. When she looks closer, she dismisses it as a routine change associated with aging. However, as days pass, she notices more strange and unexplainable changes. For instance, she suddenly desires to eat meat, and dogs start interacting with her more frequently, including during their visits to the local park or in the middle of the night while she’s trying to sleep. As these hints and signs accumulate, Mother begins to suspect that she might be transforming into a dog.
Nightbitch is a unique blend of comedy and drama, and the possible transformation into a dog incorporates body horror elements. The director Marielle Heller has departed from her earlier style as seen in previous works such as A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood (2019), Diary of a Teenage Girl (2015), and Can You Ever Forgive Me (2018) in this film.
The most significant highlight of this film is actress Amy Adams. She delivers a remarkable performance that feels both authentic and relatable. Watching her portray an exhausted mother is incredibly convincing. The scenes where the characters express their frustrations are often comedic, dramatic, and compelling. Adding to the humour are the bizarre physical changes she experiences and the new animal-like instincts that come with them. It’s a brilliant concept, and as a parent, I found many moments in this portrayal of motherhood to be relatable and genuine. Additionally, the film’s sound effects were exceptional!
While I appreciated the film’s comedic elements and storyline, the drama, especially in the third act, didn’t leave the strong impression I had hoped for. The outcomes felt safe and lacked the outrageousness and unpredictability that I, as a viewer, was hoping to see. Although the performances were superb, I found the character of the father, played by Scoot McNairy, to be somewhat far-fetched and hard to accept. At times, his character seemed overly dumbed down or whiny, resembling another child in the household. I understand that some viewers may have experienced similar dynamics in their relationships, and if that’s the case, I’m genuinely sorry for you. However, I found it all ridiculous and wished the portrayal had been toned down.
Overall, Nightbitch features a fantastic concept that initially appears comedic and outrageous. However, it surprisingly evolves into a relatable and realistic metaphor, especially from a parent’s perspective. Once again, Amy Adams delivers a standout performance that pushes boundaries and captures the wild and unpredictable world of motherhood. The film’s sound design is excellent, and the plot is solid, filled with many captivating moments. Unfortunately, the finale feels slightly unfulfilling and gives the impression of being incomplete, leading to an obvious conclusion.
Nightbtich (2024) will be screening at BIFF2024! For session times and more information, please check out the link here: https://biff.com.au/
7.5/10
30th October 2024
Written by Peter Walkden
THANK YOU FOR VISITING!
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