In the dark comedy Nightbitch, the main character is simply known as Mother, and though this distinction may seem innocuous, it actually hints at a much larger truth about the character. Based on a novel by Rachel Yoder, Nightbitch follows Mother, a woman who is the mom of a toddler, and as a result, feels as though her old self is slipping away. When Mother discovers that some strange changes are occurring to her body, she decides to embrace her new dog-like features in order to regain her sense of identity.
Nightbitch may have gone under the radar for many audiences in 2024, but it is a unique story that may speak to a number of viewers, especially women and mothers. In particular, Amy Adams’ performance as Mother is raw, vulnerable, and refreshingly messy. Truthfully, this is the entire goal of the movie. Through subtle details and fantastical oddities, the movie explores what it means to be a woman who feels as though the entire weight of the world is on her shoulders, leaving her without room to be what she truly wants to be.
