Nightbitch is the latest film starring Amy Adams. Based on the novel of the same name by Rachel Yoder, Marielle Heller adapts the book into a film that balances so many different genres.

In Nightbitch, Adams plays an artist who pauses her career to be a stay-at-home mom who grapples with the struggles of motherhood. Adams’ husband in the film, played by Scoot McNairy, is often away at work, and when he’s back, despite not having any ill-intent, pokes at his wife’s struggles by saying how he wishes he could be at home with their baby like she does. Each day is a repeat of the prior, she cooks the same meals and does the same activities with the baby. All of this culminates into a sort of resentment that spills into other aspects, like how she looks down on the other mothers in the baby story time group at the local library, mentioning how she thinks it’s pathetic to befriend another woman, simply because they are both mothers. We see as she yearns for the woman she used to be and says how she will never again be “young” or “thin”. This first part of the film is really amusing, with Adams’ inner monologue and commentary adding a lot of comedy to the film. Quite quickly, she begins to notice some feral changes in her body, shifting the film.

This is when the film takes a turn, becoming almost like a body horror as we see hints of her transformation. Adams’ baby in the film comments on her hairiness, pointing at her back as they are playing together. There’s even a pretty nasty scene that focuses in on what appears to be a tail growing on her lower back; it’s filled with pus and as she pokes at it, it really makes you squirm. There are flashes of her transformation, until her dog form is ultimately revealed. She runs with other dogs, without a clue about what they do in the night. Trying to understand this transformation, Adams’ reaches out to a local librarian who offers a book that aids her in her search. As the film continues, we see Adams begin to embrace motherhood and understand that she doesn’t need to abandon the woman she once was just because she has this new role as a mother.

I was really surprised with Nightbitch. Based on the film’s trailer and logline alone, I definitely thought this would lean heavier on horror. However, I enjoyed the way that it mixed different genres, such as drama, comedy and even fantasy. I think this mix fits perfectly with life itself, and even motherhood, which can’t be put into any one box. Amy Adams delivers such an unapologetic performance, that will have you laughing and in tears. Considering each of their experiences personally with motherhood, Adams and Heller were able to portray the topic in the most authentic way. Nightbitch is a film that serves as a reminder to women that they never need to give up on any part of themselves, no matter what.

We give Nightbitch a 4/5.