Everything We Know About Nightbitch | TIFF 2024

Nightbitch is one of the most highly anticipated films of the year, and for good reason. This unique blend of horror and comedy explores the feral side of motherhood in a way that promises to be both unsettling and deeply resonant. Directed by Marielle Heller and starring Amy Adams, Nightbitch is poised to make a significant impact at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and beyond.

 What is Nightbitch About?

Nightbitch follows Amy Adams as a character known only as Mother, who is thrown into the stay-at-home routine of raising a toddler in the suburbs. As the story progresses, she slowly begins to embrace the feral power of motherhood, becoming increasingly aware of the signs that she may be turning into a canine. The film, based on the novel of the same name, dives deep into the emotional and psychological transformation that accompanies motherhood.

The director, Marielle Heller, describes Nightbitch as a “comedy for women, and a horror movie for men,” emphasizing the gendered perspectives the film may evoke.

Adaptation of the “Nightbitch” Novel

The film is an adaptation of the 2021 novel by Rachel Yoder. Remarkably, the rights to the novel were acquired by Annapurna Pictures (founded by Megan Ellison, daughter of billionaire Larry Ellison) before the book was even published. The novel received significant acclaim, being named the best book of the year by both Esquire and Vulture and becoming a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award.

Who is the Director?

Marielle Heller is not new to the scene, with a successful career as both a director and actor. She studied theater at UCLA and in London and was part of the American Conservatory Theater upon returning to the U.S. She broke out in the Netflix series The Queen’s Gambit, where she played Alma Wheatley. Heller’s experience as an actor gives her a unique perspective in directing, allowing her to communicate effectively with her cast.

She wrote the screenplay for Nightbitch during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic while balancing her professional ambitions with motherhood. This experience of trying to manage work while taking care of her two children has clearly influenced the narrative of the film.

What to Expect from Nightbitch

On the surface, the premise of Nightbitch may seem absurd—Amy Adams slowly turning into a dog—but there are deeper layers to this story. The film is a metaphor for the transformative nature of motherhood and the loss of identity that often accompanies it. The character of Mother is a clear representation of this experience, and the film explores these themes with a blend of horror and humor.

Marielle Heller has aimed to stay true to the novel, incorporating lines directly from the book into the film. One such line captures the essence of the character’s turmoil: “I am stuck inside a prison of my own creation… I am angry all the time. I would like one day to direct my own artwork toward a critique of these modern-day systems that articulates all this, but my brain no longer functions as it did before the baby, and I am really dumb now.”

Who are the Stars?

The bulk of the weight of Nightbitch rests on the shoulders of Amy Adams, who fully embraces the physical transformation of her character. She dons dog-like prosthetics, gains weight for the role, and has spoken openly about the transformative nature of this character, describing the experience as both liberating and terrifying.

Other cast members include Scoot McNairy, who plays her husband. McNairy has appeared in films like 12 Years a Slave and Gone Girl, as well as TV shows like True Detective and Narcos: Mexico.

When is it Premiering?

Nightbitch is set to premiere on September 7th at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) with four additional public showings throughout the festival. It’s expected to be one of the must-see films of the event.

Does it have a Wide Release?

After being acquired by Searchlight Pictures for $5 million, the film was originally set for a Hulu release. However, it will now have a theatrical release on December 6th, 2024, in North America. While international dates have not been announced, it is expected to be released globally in December.

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