As a mother of two and a film enthusiast who has spent countless hours watching movies that attempt to capture the complexities of parenthood, I must say Marielle Heller’s adaptation of Rachel Yoder’s best-selling novel, “Nightbitch,” resonated deeply with me. It’s like someone took my life experiences, added a dash of humor, and sprinkled in some body horror for good measure.
It would be a waste of this review’s time to convince anybody that parenting (and motherhood specifically) is hard. Spoiler alert: it is. For all the beauty and joy of seeing a child grow up, being a mother can sometimes be thankless and isolating. A certain number of expectations (primarily rooted in patriarchy) are set, with little to no gratitude in return. Marielle Heller’s adaptation of Rachel Yoder’s best-selling novel, Nightbitch, summarizes those points. The film doesn’t serve as some appeal against motherhood entirely; it’s the opposite.
Nightbitch simultaneously supports various concepts: witnessing a newborn’s everyday actions can be incredibly awe-inspiring, yet the routine nature of daily life may evoke feelings of monotony and remind us of sacrifices made. Dialogue that breaks the fourth wall adds depth to certain scenes; elements of body horror and even fairy tale motifs are noticeable throughout. However, one potential criticism of Nightbitch is its hasty abandonment of its eccentricities and animalistic overtones. It seems as though it forgets the intriguing symbolism it has established and instead opt for a more straightforward delivery of its message, leading to a relatively straightforward resolution.
You Shall Call Me Mother
The character portrayed by Amy Adams doesn’t have a personal name; she goes by “Mother.” To say she’s at her wit’s end would be an underestimation. Originally, Mother was a promising artist, but now her artworks are remnants of a forgotten past. During a typical grocery shopping trip, someone inquires about her enjoyment of her new role as a stay-at-home mom. At that instant, Adams delivers a raw, unfiltered portrayal of how “enchanting” this might seem. Following this, Heller allows the audience to witness Mother’s mundane daily routine up close.
In simpler, more conversational terms: The adorable toddler boy (portrayed by twins Arleigh Patrick and Emmett James Snowden) brings out a heartwarming affection in his mother, despite the challenges of everyday life as a mom. When she’s not juggling cooking, cleaning, taking walks, and enduring library sing-a-ongs (which she doesn’t enjoy), you can see her love shining through. Her husband (played by Scoot McNairy) is frequently absent on business trips and sometimes awkwardly misses the mark when it comes to helping with their son. He seems oblivious to his wife’s growing feelings of resentment.
Amy Adams Sinks Her Teeth Into Nightbitch
Amy Adams skillfully balances moments of deep sadness and raw contempt in her portrayal. At the climax of these emotions, Heller introduces the grotesque elements and canine cravings that Mother experiences. This is first seen through physical alterations – Mother suspects her teeth are becoming sharper and may sprout a tail at times. These transformations, coupled with late-night sprints through suburban neighborhoods, provide Adams an opportunity to showcase both strength and vulnerability. In turn, these scenes add humor and vitality to the movie.
In this story, we find a woman contemplating if she can recover even a fraction of the vigor and beauty she possessed in her youth – a chilling sensation. Heller masterfully creates this unease through striking visuals and tense, meticulously crafted scenes, like a reunion with her college-era friends from Mother’s group. This scene is one of the movie’s highlights, tackling themes of womanhood and parenthood while conjuring a haunting, creeping dread that leaves space for dark humor.
A Happy Ending, Not a Satisfying One
In my opinion, “Nightbitch” delves into some intriguing world-building, with captivating mythologies and secondary characters exhibiting similar compulsions. It also offers a thought-provoking, quasi-Freudian biological rationale. Although “Nightbitch” presents fascinating concepts and narrative strands, it opts for the more conventional resolution, missing an opportunity to delve deeper into complexities even when the groundwork was laid. Characters often find themselves at a satisfying resolution, leaving plenty of room for further exploration.
Instead of constructing its world and relying on an engaging visual style, Nightbitch chooses a more optimistic conclusion over a complex one. Some characters recognize their mistakes, and everyone’s desires are met. However, motherhood doesn’t fit comfortably within conventional boundaries. The film highlights the multiple aspects that contribute to society’s perception of a mother’s significance while symbolically confining her in various ways. Putting it another way, Nightbitch repeatedly emphasizes key themes until they become deeply ingrained, like ink bleeding through paper.
The movie titled Nightbitch debuted for the first time at the Toronto International Film Festival. For additional details, click here. From Searchlight Pictures, this film is scheduled for a theatrical release on December 6, 2024.
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2024-09-25 04:31