Amy Adams delivers in the crazy dog ​​comedy

Have you ever felt like you were trapped in your everyday life and are now literally turning into a dog? Yes, me too. And that also applies to the protagonist Night slut. Amy Adams plays a stay-at-home mom stuck in the mundanity of suburban life. She starts out normal, but the audience quickly becomes familiar with her troubled psyche and everything that goes through her mind. Repeated mornings of playing with toys, cooking hash browns and macaroni and cheese, and walking with her child take a toll on her. Before we know it, she begins to become a dog herself.

This is a very strange film. It’s the kind of film that’s compelling based on the absurdity of the concept alone. Based on Rachel Yoder’s 2021 novel of the same name, this film manages to be a perfectly acceptable dark comedy. This is a fascinating, surreal little character study that allows you to sit with our protagonist. The things that get under her skin also get under our skin. Heller does an excellent job of directing this film from her perspective, depicting her transformation from human to dog both literally and metaphorically.

The mother is not interested in being friends with the other mothers and does not seem to enjoy their company or conversation much. She is a character who is very far removed from reality and Heller shows this in many ways in her script. She has so many responsibilities as a mother and we see how stressful they are, which many mothers may understand. We see her impulsive thoughts, every little thing she desperately wants to do but shouldn’t. She suppresses all her desires and sacrifices everything to maintain a facade of reason in the world.

But this façade can only last for so long. Nightbitch contains some body horror elements during her transformation; Compared to another film from this year, The Substance, it’s very tame, but the direction is good. As she begins to transform into a dog, the tone becomes something fascinating. There’s something so twisted and darkly comic about the whole situation. Obviously, the premise is so outrageous that it’s hilarious to even talk about it, but this film echoes its tone. She talks to herself and is full of self-pity and self-hatred. We hear a lot of her thoughts and it works because her inner monologue is a mix of depressing and funny.

Balancing tone is one of the most challenging tasks for a director and writer, especially when it comes to dramas like this. Dogs keep appearing near her and it is fascinating to watch her gradually develop. The fact that Heller directs some scenes like a light-hearted family comedy adds another comedic layer to this film. While this film is far from Heller or Adams’ best work, their combined styles are interesting. You can tell it was a very trusting relationship between director and actor because Adams really gives his best in this role.

She is an actress who can make you believe anything she says. Whether she’s playing Gisele, Lois Lane, or Louise Banks, you’ll believe every word that comes out of her mouth. That’s why she can play a princess, a journalist, a linguistics professor and, in this film, a dog. When she says she’s turning into a dog, she plays it with so much sincerity you can buy it. This is one of her craziest performances yet and she gets the chance to shine and do something very humorous and physical.

Perhaps one problem with “Nightbitch” is how preachy it can get. There are scenes in which the challenges of motherhood are explicitly discussed. Even if it resonates with the target group, it can seem a bit too intrusive due to the clear message. Some subtlety could have been helpful in conveying the themes. Furthermore, while this film is definitely crazy, they should have put more effort into it. There are a lot of crazy elements and scenes, but it feels like it’s holding back a bit. Had the film delved deeper and deeper into the craziness of the premise, it would have worked even better.

Overall, Heller lands from a very original premise. Adams commands the screen in this role, which is funny in a way that she delivers with deep sincerity. There is a palpable tension between her and her husband, played by Scoot McNairy. He has a reason for being the way he is, even if we don’t always like him. “Nightbitch” is a completely unique take on a midlife crisis that somehow manages to be beautiful in the end. Although it should have delivered more laughs and more absurdity, it’s just enough to get you on side. It’s brave, has a lot of heart and that’s all it takes.

SCORE: 7/10

As explained in ComingSoon’s rating guidelines, a rating of 7 corresponds to “Good”. A successful entertainment that is worth a visit, but perhaps not everyone will like it.

Disclosure: ComingSoon received a screener for our Nightbitch review.

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