February 16, 2025

NIGHTBITCH (2024) – A Misfire Exploring the Struggles of Motherhood

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Rating: ⭐ 1/2

nightbitch

Amy Adams, an actress whose career has seen many notable performances, takes on the role of a stay-at-home mother in the film “Nightbitch”. This film explores the life of a mother grappling with the monotony and sacrifices of raising her young son while her husband frequently works out of town. The narrative attempts to champion the plight of stay-at-home mothers, highlighting the emotional and physical toll of their responsibilities.

Throughout the film, the protagonist experiences a series of bizarre events that suggest she is transforming into a dog—a metaphor for the perceived dehumanization and loss of identity that can accompany motherhood. While the film aims to draw a parallel between the protagonist’s life and the hardships faced by many mothers, the metaphor feels somewhat disconnected and overdramatic.

The protagonist’s struggle is not entirely relatable, as she enjoys a relatively privileged lifestyle, free from financial worries, with a supportive husband and a healthy child. Naturally, feeling unfulfilled is the next logical step. So, she decides to dramatically separate and—surprise—effortlessly launches a successful art gallery with all her newfound free time. One can only marvel at how breezily she transitions from the supposed drudgery of motherhood to becoming a celebrated artist. Clearly, the movie seems to imply that monumental effort, time, and concentration required for such an achievement are mere trifles compared to the task of raising a child!

While the film’s intention to highlight the sacrifices and challenges of motherhood is commendable, the surreal elements and extreme measures taken by the protagonist seem excessive. A more realistic approach, such as negotiating a balanced schedule with her husband or hiring a caregiver, would have been more relatable and impactful. The whole thing about the transformation to a bitch could easily be excluded without affecting the overall message. In this case, the source material, a 2021 novel by Rachel Yoder is to blame. The half-cooked introduction of this concept felt out of place. I wasn’t sure whether this was meant to be frightening or funny.

Amy Adams delivers a competent enough performance, embodying the role convincingly. However, the film’s narrative fails to effectively resonate with the otherwise noble theme of the tedium and selflessness inherent in motherhood.

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