When you think of films about new motherhood, sleepless nights, stretch marks and breast-feeding spring to mind. In Marielle Heller’s dramatic comedy-horror, Nightbitch, adapted from Rachel Yoder’s acclaimed 2021 novel of the same name, magical women and primal urges provide a wildly funny leaping off point in a film that tells the story of a mother (Amy Adams) who quite literally turns into a dog.
The idea of body and mind transformation post-birth is ably handled through gross body horror and Adams’ incredible warts-and-all performance, which includes an acerbically frank inner-monologue narration. She is a mum who is introduced as a person who can’t stand the local book babies class and decides she dislikes the other parents before getting to know them. Previously an artist from the city, suburban life, a passive husband (Scoot McNairy) who is always away for work, and motherhood has taken its toll.
The film works best as a character portrait of a once fiercely independent woman who has lost herself, but also deeply loves her son. The genre elements and mythology are introduced with gooey relish and endearing wit but tonally the drama and horror don’t entirely mesh. Intriguing relationships are also presented, including one between Adams’ Mother character and Jessica Harper’s (Suspiria) librarian and a gorgeous coven of mums, but are sadly underdeveloped. However, in Heller’s hands there is a great blend of laugh-out-loud irreverent humour and compassion to how she presents all the characters.
Running at just over 90 minutes, it’s a film that may have been better served by a longer running time to elaborate on the compelling human and witchy narratives (which have something in common with Agatha All Along). There should be more films about motherhood that radiate with charmingly silly genre tropes and explode with the hugely relatable darkness of women’s rage and disappointment. Heller’s film should be filed along such recent triumphs like Good Manners and Tully.
Nightbitch was seen at the London Film Festival. It will be released in cinemas on 6 December 2024