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Commentary: Please stop trying to mansplain ‘Nightbitch’

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Commentary: Please stop trying to mansplain 'Nightbitch'

As a movie lover with two children of my own and a career that has taken a backseat to motherhood, I found “Nightbitch” to be a poignant and relatable masterpiece. The transformation of Amy Adams’ character resonated deeply with me, as I too have felt the isolation and frustration of balancing motherhood with my own aspirations.

During a discussion following the world premiere of “Nightbitch” at the Toronto International Film Festival on Saturday, actor Scoot McNairy shared a valuable lesson: “What I discovered while working on this film is not to explain motherhood as if I understand it fully.” In simpler terms, he hopes that everyone takes away from his experience what he did – which is to listen more and speak less.

The movie, by director Marielle Heller featuring Amy Adams, portrays a former artist turned housewife grappling with anger and bitterness, along with a troubling feeling that she might be transforming into a canine.

It’s advisable for critics and award experts to take note of what the actor has said about “Nightbitch,” one of the most talked-about films debuting at this year’s festival, which has sparked curiosity with its intriguing yet puzzling title. With a mix of anticipation and confusion – “What on earth is this film?” being a common reaction – fans have been wondering if it’s a genuine movie or a joke from “30 Rock.” As the premiere approached on Saturday, there was growing speculation: Would the film, based on Rachel Yoder’s magical realist novel of the same name, finally earn Adams an Oscar following six unsuccessful nominations? Or would it be a disaster and lead to countless painful dog-related pun headlines?

The recently unveiled trailer didn’t completely squash anticipation, but it did give off an unexpected vibe. It portrayed “Nightbitch” as a zany, motherhood-themed spinoff of “Teen Wolf,” rather than its true identity: a profoundly surreal film exploring the delights and torments of motherhood. This film sheds light on how becoming a parent can subtly yet dramatically alter women’s minds, bodies, emotional lives, and self-perception—even in the absence of physical transformations like growing additional nipples or fangs.

Adams pointed out during the post-premiere Q&A on Saturday that despite being a common experience, the feeling of isolation and transformation associated with motherhood and parenthood is often not shared.

The unnamed character portrayed by Adams, who goes by “Mother” in the credits, temporarily halted her thriving career for the sake of nurturing their energetic and sleepless 2-year-old son. Her partner, McNairy’s character, is frequently absent on work assignments, forcing Mother to cook numerous pots of macaroni and cheese and attend monotonous singalongs at the library with her child. There, she yearns for companionship from fellow mothers who share similar experiences. Her spouse, though kind-hearted, shows a lack of understanding, even suggesting he’d prefer staying home instead of working – an idea that does not sit well with Mother.

Over time, as her irritability and rage intensified, Mother began observing peculiar bodily transformations: an enhanced olfactory ability, an insatiable hunger for uncooked flesh, and a dense coat of white fur sprouting on her lower back. At first taken aback, she ultimately chose to accept her wild instincts – this acceptance sparked a contentious discussion with her husband regarding the state of their relationship.

When asked about the fate of the intriguing, peculiar woman he wedded, Mother responds, “She passed away during childbirth.

In ‘Nightbitch’, the tone is skillfully balanced, and this is largely thanks to Adams who wholeheartedly embraces her role. With a snap of her fingers, she effortlessly transitions from heartwarming gentleness to fiery fury. One of the film’s standout moments showcases her singing along to ‘Dare to Be Stupid’, by ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic. She indeed dares to be foolish, and does so with grace and style.

Initial reactions to the film seemed determined to paint the film as an off-putting mess. An early headline in Variety declared “Amy Adams’ ‘Nightbitch’ Weirds Out TIFF With Dog Poop, Cat Killing and Shower Menstruation,” which is both oddly squeamish (what, exactly, is so offensive about menstruating in the shower?) and also underestimates the festival-going audience’s tolerance for dead animals and bodily secretions (both featured prominently in Ron Howard’s survivalist drama “Eden,” which screened immediately before “Nightbitch.”)

Instead of immediately assuming that the audience’s groans were signs of disapproval, it might have been acknowledgment. I myself couldn’t help but audibly react when the husband offered to give their son a bath only to bombard his wife with unnecessary questions, making the whole act futile. During the climactic scene where the mother scolds the husband for his lack of awareness, a woman sitting nearby exclaimed, “It was long overdue!

With an increasing number of opinions shared, the feedback has shown a mix of reactions. Perhaps Heller didn’t delve deep enough into darkness. Or maybe the canine analogy feels overstretched. It could also turn off potential award voters altogether.

It’s not unexpected, considering the topic, that “Nightbitch” will stir controversy. Similar to other books, movies, TV shows, or articles discussing motherhood, it will likely generate a multitude of opinions, some of which may be negative, and might even receive recognition. However, it’s not for everyone – much like the experience of motherhood itself.

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2024-09-09 21:31

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