As a seasoned movie enthusiast who has watched countless films and navigated through various genres, I must say that Nightbitch, starring the exceptional Amy Adams, is a unique cinematic experience that will leave you both intrigued and slightly disturbed – in a good way. Having seen my fair share of films that push the boundaries of body horror, I can confidently say that this adaptation of Rachel Yoder’s novel delivers on its dark, macabre promises.
Stop me if you have heard this one before: In her latest movie, the brilliant Amy Adams plays a new mom who is overwhelmed by her son’s inconsistent sleep schedule, his fussy appetite, and the droning repetition of the day-to-day schedule that includes play dates, kid music, and messes. But at night, “Mother” (Adams) believes that she’s turning into a dog. OK, wait… I was with you until that part. But that’s the plot of NIghtbitch, an adaptation of a 2021 novel written by Rachel Yoder that burrows into the primal feelings of motherhood, and features a blistering performance by the always reliable Adams. When is Adams not good? It’s very rare. In fact, there’s a scene in Nightbitch that maybe was too convincing, as it forced several crew members to leave the set while director Marielle Heller filmed it.
In “Nightbitch”, rather than revealing a spoiler, this discussion might pique your interest about the efforts made by Marielle Heller and Amy Adams to establish the film’s atmosphere. As darkness falls, the character played by Adams, feeling overwhelmed, starts experiencing strange, animalistic tendencies. Whether these occurrences are genuine or figments of her imagination remains unclear throughout the movie. In one intriguing scene, she suspects a growth on her lower back, which initially appears as a boil. However, upon digging at it, the growth bursts open to reveal a tail resembling that of a dog, a sight that is undeniably disgusting.
During a press event for “Nightbitch,” I inquired about the creative process behind the prop from both Heller and Adams. Heller confided in TopMob that this particular scene, in her opinion, was the largest, most grisly, and cacophonous one in the film, describing it as such:
Constructing it was quite a challenging task. We fashioned a prosthetic replica of her body, which was manipulated and controlled using hand doubles and individuals beneath who were simulating pus discharge and inserting hair from within. I found the entire production process amusing! However, some crew members on set were so repulsed that they had to leave the room during filming.
Seldom does a combination of “puss” and “hair” instill feelings of positivity or anticipation. Yet, as Heller points out, those who read the novel will find this type of dark, morbid wit fitting for the movie. Moreover, Adams is always ready to embrace unconventional roles. Surprisingly, even Adams admitted in an interview with TopMob that…
Thankfully, I wasn’t present for the entire incident! I was there initially when the bump appeared, which piqued my interest. However, I’m genuinely relieved I wasn’t around during that specific part (scene). It wasn’t until I watched the movie that I got to witness it! The first time I saw it, I thought, ‘Ah, I see! We’re proceeding with this. Alright, this is where we’re heading. I like it.’ Naturally, I was aware of what was coming up. But I was genuinely impressed when I experienced it.
As a film enthusiast, I must say, witnessing Amy Adams in “Nightbitch” is truly captivating. Frankly, she’s one of our most powerful actors working today, often overlooked in films like this one. “Nightbitch,” based on the book, is an adaptation that should definitely be on your watchlist as we head into the holiday season. However, if body horror gives you the heebie-jeebies, then maybe steer clear of both “Nightbitch” and “The Substance.” They don’t hold back in that department!
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2024-12-18 19:39