NIGHTBITCH

The recent run of films from Amy Adams has definitely featured more misses than hits yet, that would never stop me from looking forward to a new film of her's as, in my opinion, she's one of the best to ever do it. Pair her with Marielle Heller in a film that seems as wild as Nightbitch and the results are always going to be rather special.

An artist (Amy Adams) who pauses her career to be a stay-at-home mum seeks a new chapter in her life and encounters just that, when her nightly routine takes a surreal turn and her maternal instincts begin to manifest in canine form.

Nightbitch is a film about the struggles of motherhood and looking deep within to find yourself again, told in such a unique manner by Marielle Heller. We are introduced to Adams' aptly titled Mother in a montage that features both the cute and manic side of being a stay-at-home mum - her son running rings around her at times. We hear her inner thoughts when she's interacting with other mothers who only want to talk about how great it all is, giving us the feeling she could reach breaking point at any moment. Her husband isn't much help either as he swans in after days away at a time to ask her to do such medial tasks he could easily do. We not only hear her thoughts but see them visualised too, her other half on the backend of a well deserved slap when offering advice about happiness.

It's a very funny film, the exchanges between Mother and her counterparts offering some wonderful quips, while her son's foul-mouthed outbursts at baby book clubs will catch you off guard. Then the fantastical side of the narrative kicks in and things get really weird. Mother begins to feel as if she is turning into a canine, hair growing where it shouldn't and bizarre encounters with other dogs only some of the bizarre occurrences. It not only adds more comedy to proceedings but provides the film with an interesting approach to depicting a mother forging a path to find herself again, in order to cope with life better. It may not work for everyone but I really appreciated the choices the film makes in getting its message across, as unsubtle as it may be at times.

Nightbitch also proves that you should never doubt Amy Adams, no matter how bad some of her recent films may have been. She's a forced to be reckoned with here, fearless in her approach to tackling material that might appear daft at first and commanding the screen with her presence at the same time. Watching her go feral at few times throughout was an utter delight! Scott McNairy finds himself once again playing a bit of a pathetic husband (after Speak No Evil) and the confusion he brings to the table makes for a compelling dynamic between the parental duo. The twins Arleigh and Emmett Snowden nearly steal the whole damn show as their son, keeping their hands well and truly full.

While Nightbitch might seem quite inaccessible due to its description, I promise you it's well worth seeking out to witness for yourselves. Maybe it could have gone a little weirder with it all, but any more may have seen it cross the line in becoming too much of a joke when it actually has something quite poignant to say.

Verdict: ★★★★