Marielle Heller’s “NightBitch” test-screened a week ago. I waited until I could gather up a few reactions, but all I could muster up were two brief ones.
Before I delve into the nitty gritty, let me just say that it does sound like a movie to keep an eye on. Just for the sheer fact that it seems to be a real narrative risktaker.
Reaction #1: I liked it a lot. Surreal feminist fable that somehow worked. Not sure how to describe this movie, other than despite the outrageous concept I found it had a lot of insight about motherhood and shattered the preconceptions we might have about it. Amy Adams kind of owns this movie. It doesn’t strike me as an “Oscar movie,” but neither did EEAAO. Definitely veers into genre territory.
Reaction #2: I’m still not sure why someone decided to make this movie. I love Amy Adams and she’s great as always here but it’s super strange just for the sake of being strange. Some odd storytelling and unnecessary subplots. She literally feels and turns into a dog and it’s supposed to tell us something about motherhood. It’s also a very ugly movie to look at.
Back in July of 2020, Annapurna Pictures won an auction and landed the rights to Rachel Yoder’s debut novel, “NightBitch”. The novel was to be developed as a star vehicle for six-time Oscar nominated actress Amy Adams.
Last May, at Cannes, Searchlight Pictures then acquired “NightBitch” from floundering Annapurna, Marielle Heller was also announced as the writer-director.
The film’s plot is total dark absurdism. A neo-horror thriller starring Adams as an overworked woman who is convinced she's turning into a dog.
Here’s a more descriptive plot synopsis:
“Exposing the absurd and feral truths of motherhood, Nightbitch is a darkly comedic telling of an unnamed woman and former artist, thrust into stay-at-home domesticity after the birth of her son, who becomes increasingly worried and convinced that she may be turning into a dog.”
Heller’s debut was Sundance sensation “The Diary of a Teenage Girl.” This was followed by the critically-acclaimed “Can You Ever Forgive Me.” She then dabbled into mainstream filmmaking with the mostly-enjoyable “A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood.”
“NightBitch” will bring Heller back to her darker cinematic roots. It’s definitely been added to our 2023 must-see list.