Magical surrealism takes on a whole new meaning in Nightbitch. Based on the 2021 novel by the same name, written by Rachel Yoder, the film premiered at TIFF 2024. But, it also made its U.S. southeast premiere at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival (SAVFF) 2024 where many audience members are students and aspiring filmmakers. When I looked around the elegant Trustees Theater, I saw they were inspired alright.
Director Marielle Heller (MacGruber) co-wrote, with author Yoder, Nightbitch as a highly artistic, original exploration of motherhood and identity. Amy Adams stars as Mother, a former city-dwelling artist and curator who opts to embrace suburban life, staying home with her young son while her husband often travels for work. She loves her son deeply, but that does not prevent her from feeling isolated and exhausted. What happens next is a wild journey of a mother reclaiming her inner power in a very primal way.
The story excelled at telling the narrative through the female gaze. For stay-at-home moms, it presents a raw, honest depiction—with a twist. It’s a fun ride exploring how Mother goes from adopting dog-like behaviour to fully becoming a dog. This transformation symbolizes how women, especially mothers, need to reclaim their power postpartum and beyond—often in non-traditional ways.
“Adams’ performance is exceptional, with raw, painful expressions that moms can relate to, portraying a mother on the edge but still nurturing.”
In terms of the score and music in Nightbitch, the film uses some notable tracks to fit each scene’s mood. The score itself is not particularly distinct, as most of the film is carried by Adams’ narration. As for the sound design, there are visceral sounds mixed with human barking. The female actors deserve praise for their powerful portrayal of women balancing motherhood and primal identities.
The costume and makeup team deserves a shoutout for how accurately they styled Mother. The look of a burnt-out mother was scarily accurate, yet when she dressed up, she was equally well-styled. This balance showed that Mother still had the ability to look as fashionable as she was before pregnancy.
The CGI and VFX excelled here, enhanced by good cinematography and direction. Mother’s transformation into a dog at night isn’t gruesome—there’s no body horror involved. Using segmented shots of her transformation was a wise choice, as it minimized the reliance on CGI.
At the heart of Nightbitch is Adams. Her acting is exceptional, and her narration is spot-on, sounding utterly done with life at every turn. Her facial expressions throughout the film are raw and painful to watch. I’m confident many moms will relate to the struggles Mother endures. Adams does a phenomenal job portraying a mother who may be a bit hallucinatory and imaginative yet somehow retains her child-rearing qualities.
Opposite Adams is Scoot McNairy as Husband, who plays an oblivious husband and dad—making occasional attempts to understand Mother’s perspective. While Husband has his faults, there are moments where he makes an effort. When McNairy portrays the stereotypical dad trying to help but still needing his wife’s guidance, it’s, unfortunately, very accurate.
In one scene, Husband offers to help bathe Son which relieves Mother. This was shown in Adams’ acting skills, looking super relieved that she could finally get some time to herself and relax. But, it was quickly thwarted when her husband asked for help.
“Nightbitch is sure to have audiences howling and growling to the end, offering both empowerment and a humorous look at the primal side of motherhood.”
For those who are mothers, becoming mothers or thinking about motherhood, this could be the perfect film to see a potential reality. It can also be a meaningful movie to share for those who have gone through a similar experience. “Mommy brain” is real, and it can be a difficult concept to come to grips with—especially when new moms don’t receive the care and support they need.
The shared experience among women is where the heart of this film shines. Those who enjoyed powerful films like The Lost Daughter, Minari, Lion, Lady Bird, Juno, and similar stories will enjoy this film. While Nightbitch leans more into comedy, it also has heartwarming and heart-wrenching moments.
It can also be a good watch for women and mothers who are looking to reclaim their power, both independently and within the family. The film carries strong themes of empowerment throughout. It does falter a bit with the dog analogy, as some of the messaging on parenting is somewhat questionable. And while it doesn’t feature boundary-pushing cinematography, the practical effects are very well done. Nightbitch is sure to have audiences howling and growling to the end.
