Nightb*tch: Movie Review

The opening monologue alone was enough to hook me into what ended up being a twisted ride through the perils of motherhood & gender roles. Here is my spoiler free review of Nightbitch (streaming on Hulu).

⭐️ Rating: 3/5

It doesn’t take much to convince me to watch Amy Adams in anything. She steps into the role of a mother of a toddler, drowning in post partum depression and struggling to come to the surface after sacrificing her life for her child.

I’ll admit the dog portions of the film weren’t for me, veering off track from what is otherwise a painstaking look at what it’s like being a mom. Brutally honest monologues and scenes that feel studied (like when the dad showers the kid 😬

Worth a one time watch, but especially if you’re a mom and feel like you need a cathartic release.

#movies #lemon8creator #moviestowatch #movierecommendations #movies🍿🎬

2025/1/13 Edited to

... Read moreAfter watching 'Nightbitch,' I found myself reflecting a lot on the conversations it could spark, especially for parents. Many people are searching for a 'parents guide' for this movie, and for good reason. It’s a 'hyper surreal look at postpartum motherhood' that doesn't shy away from the raw, often uncomfortable truths of that experience. While the film isn't a horror movie in the traditional sense, its emotional intensity and the psychological journey of Amy Adams' character can be quite unsettling. There are strong themes of identity loss, marital strain, and the overwhelming demands of caring for a toddler, all presented in a surreal, almost dreamlike fashion that some might find disturbing. It really embodies the tagline 'Unleash the Beast' in a metaphorical sense, exploring the primal instincts and frustrations that can emerge. I'd definitely say it's aimed at mature audiences, likely 17+ due to its complex themes and some intense, non-explicit but emotionally charged scenes. Another interesting search query I've seen is about 'sex scenes' in Nightbitch. Without giving away spoilers, I can say the film isn't explicit in that regard. Any mature content serves to underscore the evolving, and often strained, relationship dynamics within the story, particularly between the mother and her husband. It focuses more on the emotional and psychological aspects of intimacy and disconnect rather than overt physical depictions. Curiously, some viewers are also searching for connections to 'Jordan Peele and Amy Adams,' or 'Amy Adams and Jordan Peele.' While 'Nightbitch' does have a unique, surreal, and sometimes unsettling atmosphere that might echo the stylistic choices of a director like Jordan Peele, it's important to clarify that Jordan Peele was not involved in the making of this film. It's a testament to the movie's distinctive tone that it can evoke such comparisons! Beyond these specific queries, the film does a powerful job of portraying the everyday struggles that aren't often shown on screen. The OCR also highlighted the depiction of the husband as 'the ultimate aloof dad' who 'takes his wife for granted.' This aspect really resonated with me, as it’s a common, yet often unacknowledged, dynamic in many households. Amy Adams delivers a truly phenomenal performance, embodying the sheer exhaustion and the internal battle of a woman losing herself to motherhood. Her transformation is gradual, compelling, and utterly heartbreaking. If you're a parent, especially a mom, who feels unseen or unheard in the chaos of raising young children, this film offers a cathartic, albeit intense, reflection of that experience. It's an artistic, powerful commentary on gender roles and societal expectations placed on mothers.