Nightbitch (dir. Marielle Heller)

By Adam Freed

Becoming a parent requires a form of sacrifice that quite frankly no one can comprehend prior to holding their firstborn.  The life altering journey certainly impacts mothers far more directly than their partners as the 40 week physical transformation required to grow a life is one that non childbearing parents can never fully understand.  It is apparent through her dark comedy Nightbitch that writer and director Marielle Heller (A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood) has a clear understanding of the magnitude of sacrifice required to raise a child. Although Nightbitch merges into the lane of becoming “body horror” the film does so because childbirth, and its aftermath, could be categorized in the same manner.  Heller’s film soars is in its thematic consistency in which it portrays the noble act of motherhood as a relentless pursuit.  Playing the role of “Mother,” a character whose name is intentionally reduced to a minimalized societal view, is an award worthy Amy Adams.  Adams (Arrival, Nocturnal Animals) wears the physical burdens of primary caregiver on her sleep deprived face, but more challengingly explores a far more important and underappreciated sacrifice, that of self identity.

“Mother” finds herself stuck in the endless cycle of the stay at home parent to a toddler.  While “Husband,” captured by Scoot McNairy (Argo, 12 Years a Slave) travels four days a week for work, it is Adams’ character who faces the daily and nightly burdens of attempting the impossible mission of raising a child alone. Mother is a former gallery featured artist who has elected to stay home with their firstborn, not fully comprehending the magnitude of the burden.  Nightbitch never lazily vilifies Husband, only uses his character to illustrate the cumulative impact that their relationship dynamic has on the film’s protagonist.  To Amy Adams’ credit, her performance renders a character that stops recognizing herself as she drifts further and further away from the identity that she had once held so near and dear. Her talent as an artist is of little consequence when every day begins making breakfast and ends with a futile attempt to clean a home ravished by her well meaning son.

Meaningful art forces those who gaze upon it to view a reflection of themselves.  Nightbitch isn’t a perfect film, but Murial Heller has created something that will allow all parents, to see the critical role that they play in the lives of their children, but even more so, the critical role they play in supporting their partners and encouraging them to continue to invest and nurture their own talents and interests. Nightbitch courageously highlights that the mundane and repetitive experience of parenthood is enough to strip even the most balanced of individuals down to nothing.  The film’s detractors will undoubtedly highlight the supernatural metamorphosis that Adams’ character goes through as a potential low point.  Audiences will be far better served by treating this metamorphosis as a clearly intentional metaphor rather than as a supernatural plot device.  Ultimately, Nightbitch is a daring film that will force conversation about the nature of parenthood and family dynamics, which sounds an awful lot like a successful work of art. 

Target Score 7.5/10.  Nightbitch is a bold swing from writer and director Marielle Heller.  Featuring a nomination-worthy performance from Amy Adams, the story of a young mother struggling as a full time caregiver blossoms into a memorable dark comedy.

Nightbitch is included in Movie Archer's coverage of the 60th Chicago International Film Festival.