People often take their mothers for granted. We usually desire to fulfill our needs, and considering that our moms will always be there for us, we frequently forget what they are going through personally. Author Rachel Yoder considers this perspective and addresses this problem with her novel of the same name. Writer/director Marielle Heller adapts this idea, and actor Amy Adams helps realize it fully. Motherhood in a traditional situation often proves to be stressful and problematic. It can release an ugly side of mothers who deserve and demand much more from the men who helped create the children for whom they are willing to give their lives.
Amy Adams stars as an artist-turned-mother of a son who has decided to take a break from her work as an artist to care for her beloved child. Scoot McNairy is the mostly absent father, and his main goal is to be the provider for his family. His career involves much traveling away from home, forcing the bulk of parenting on his wife. As things become more stressful and challenging, the mother changes in some wild ways, making her more fierce and leaning toward the characteristics more akin to members of the animal kingdom. Though initially uncomfortable and disturbing, Mom finds that these seemingly naturalistic instincts make her life more tolerable.
Nightbitch is an extraordinary and bizarre film, but its message is essential. As people, we often take what our mothers go through when raising us and caring for their partners for granted. The film uses fantastical and dramatic examples to symbolize the adjustments our mothers must go through to maintain some semblance of sanity when dealing with us as children. The writing and direction of this film blew me away. I was also very impressed with the acting of Amy Adams, who gives her all to her performance.
The film uses a mix of drama, comedy, and the supernatural to make its point. It is an important film that should be experienced by any married couple who are considering raising children. The challenge of raising children should not fall entirely on one parent, which is the big takeaway from this film. This movie is a wake-up call for any parents who have assumed that the other parent has their child’s upbringing under control.