Nightbitch Review: Amy Adams Explores the Wild Side at TIFF 2024

Nightbitch Review: Parenting—motherhood in particular—isn’t easy, and let’s face it, no one needs convincing about that. While there’s immense joy in watching a child grow and thrive, motherhood can also feel lonely, overwhelming, and at times, a thankless journey. Society places a lot of expectations on mothers, often shaped by traditional gender roles, with little to no appreciation in return. Marielle Heller’s Nightbitch, based on Rachel Yoder’s bestselling novel, touches on these struggles and expectations. Yet, the film doesn’t take a hard stance against motherhood. Instead, it offers a thoughtful exploration of its complexities, challenges, and contradictions.

Nightbitch explores a variety of complex emotions and themes with striking originality. There’s a magic in witnessing a baby experience the ordinary milestones of life, yet there’s also a sense of monotony and loss that comes with the daily demands of parenting—a stark reminder of what you’ve had to sacrifice. The film cleverly uses fourth-wall-breaking moments, blending in elements of body horror and fairy tale-like imagery to add depth. However, one critique could be that Nightbitch tends to pull back from its strange, symbolic visuals too quickly, opting instead for a more straightforward path toward its resolution. While its visuals are inventive and captivating, the story could have dug even deeper into its surreal elements rather than rushing to a more conventional conclusion.

Nightbitch Review: The Power of Motherhood

Amy Adams’ character, simply called “Mother,” is far from thriving in her new role as a stay-at-home mom. Once an aspiring artist, her creative dreams now feel like a distant memory. During a routine grocery store trip, she’s asked how she likes her new life, and Adams delivers a brutally honest response that shatters any notion of its glamour. Heller captures the daily monotony and isolation of Mother’s existence, offering a stark look at her struggles.

Her toddler son (played by twins Arleigh Patrick and Emmett James Snowden) is adorable, and her love for him is clear—when the demands of motherhood aren’t overwhelming her. Her days are a monotonous cycle of chores, walks, and dreaded library sing-alongs. Her husband (Scoot McNairy) is often away on business, aloof, and unaware of the resentment building within her as he struggles to share parenting duties.

Amy Adams Embraces the Wild in Nightbitch

Amy Adams nails the meta dialogue and subtle non-verbal cues, effortlessly shifting between deep sadness and raw contempt. As the story builds, director Marielle Heller leans into body horror and primal instincts—Mother begins to notice sharp teeth, strange physical changes, and even the fear of growing a tail. These eerie transformations and haunting nocturnal runs through suburban streets allow Adams to blend vulnerability, humor, and intensity into the story.

The film explores a woman’s deep fear of losing the spark and drive she once had in her younger days—a truly unsettling feeling. Heller brings this dread to life through visually arresting scenes and carefully composed moments, such as an intense reunion with Mother’s old college friends. This standout scene delves into the complexities of womanhood and motherhood, capturing a slow, haunting sense of unease while infusing it with sharp, dark humor.

Closure with a Catch

Nightbitch weaves fascinating ideas of mythology, shared primal instincts, and a Freudian biological angle into its story. However, despite its intriguing themes, the film opts for simplicity over complexity. Characters find tidy resolutions, hinting at untapped potential that remains unexplored.

Nightbitch chooses a lighter, more hopeful conclusion instead of fully exploring its intricate visuals or diving into a deeper, complex narrative. Most conflicts wrap up neatly, with characters reaching their resolutions and desires. Yet, the film touches on the complicated reality of motherhood—how societal pressures shape expectations while simultaneously limiting freedom. Rather than pushing its themes further, Nightbitch sticks to familiar territory, revisiting the same ideas without taking them in new directions.