Nightbitch is directed by Marielle Heller, adapted from the novel of the same name by Rachel Yoder. The film revolves around an unnamed mother (played by Amy Adams), who from her former promising artist role has retired to become a full-time stay-at-home mother, taking care of her young son and enduring the indifference of her husband (Scoot McNairy)
Plot & Message
The main character is drawn into the repetitiveness of motherhood: taking care of her child, keeping the house, isolating herself in the world of an apartment, lacking friends and personal space. The moments of imagination or hallucination become more and more obvious when she discovers herself growing fangs, growing fur, a tail and physically transforming, waking up every night as a "dog" - Nightbitch. The image of a wild dog creature is a powerful symbol of the mother's repressed wild instincts, reflecting the conflict between the "gentle" nature and the fierce, free instincts of humans.
Acting
Amy Adams really shines, successfully portraying the character's complex inner state: from stress, fatigue to strong emotional outbursts through words and actions. She shows the transformation from inner to physical, making the audience both sympathetic and horrified.
Scoot McNairy unexpectedly impresses with the role of the initially indifferent husband but gradually awakens, realizing the burden his wife bears
Strengths & Limitations
Nightbitch is impressive in conveying the feeling of suffocation, repetition, the loneliness of a mother and the way it opens up a perspective on the "wild" instincts in humans. However, many opinions say that the film lacks character depth, the dialogue is too direct, and overuses too many explanations, making the film lose its subtlety. The adaptation of the novel is considered "bland", lacking body horror elements, many transformation scenes are only vaguely shown
Technique & summary
Marielle Heller maintains a familiar style: focusing on exploiting the inner self, building a closed space; the technique of filming with many static camera angles, giving a feeling of observation and analysis. However, for this work, some audiences think that the feeling of slow rhythm, lacking the necessary intensity to exploit the strange theme, makes the film somewhat tedious.
Conclusion
Overall, Nightbitch is a work with strong ideas, full of metaphors and genuine emotions about mothers and instincts. Amy Adams is the soul of the film, and the moments of "dog" transformation bring a feeling of both drama and meaning. However, if you are expecting a horror film with a mystical and mutant quality, this may not be the perfect choice. For those interested in the themes of motherhood, female identity and hidden instincts, the film is still worth watching and pondering.
