Archer Gray

Nightbitch (2024): Amy Adams Plays a Relatable Character in This Fairly Average, Wasted Concept of a Movie

Posted on by Jack Drees

“Nightbitch” is directed by Marielle Heller (A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Can You Ever Forgive Me?) and stars Amy Adams (Enchanted, Arrival), Scott McNairy (Speak No Evil, Monsters), Arleigh Snowden, Emmett Snowden, Zoë Chao (Strangers, The Afterparty), Mary Holland (Happiest Season, The Big Door Prize), and Ella Thomas (Surrogates, Nina). This film is based on a book of the same name and is about a stay at home mother who occasionally transforms into a dog at night.

Amy Adams is a fine actress with a ton of range. Doing everything from family flicks like “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian,” to crime films like “American Hustle,” to comic book movies like “Man of Steel,” to modern sci-fi classics like “Arrival.” Now she is taking on her latest role, a woman who occasionally turns into a dog.

Judging by the film’s epically awesome title, it is easy to assume “Nightbitch” will not have the family friendliness of say “The Shaggy Dog,” which sees its main character also transforming into a canine from time to time. Whether you like the various editions of “The Shaggy Dog” or not, I think most people who know about it can admit that the concept is at the very least, clever. That is also a word I would use to describe the hook of “Nightbitch.”

This brings me to my first gripe regarding the film. The whole concept of the main character turning into a dog feels rather wasted, especially considering how much I heard about that hook going into the film. Having seen the film, I understand that seeing the main character turning into a dog is not necessarily what it is about. There is more to it. But I think if you are going to dive into that concept, you might try to expand it just a little. For the most part, “Nightbitch” is about a woman’s journey and struggles that come with being a mother. I am fine with that. I will also say the concept is handled well. But if you have this idea of occasional dog transformations, maybe do a little more than one or two scenes featuring a canine version of Adams and having her occasionally interact with other dogs every once in a while.

The film, in more ways than one, effectively turns Amy Adams into a dog in a figurative sense. This is especially noticeable when her character is interacting with her child. Though when it comes to the advertised literal sense of Adams becoming a dog, that is where the film disappoints. In fact, having seen this film now, part of me is curious about what it would have been like to go into this movie blind. Maybe I set my expectations too high. Maybe I would have been caught off guard by certain scenes in the film.

I will compliment the film for its point of view on parenting, particularly motherhood. This is far from a happy go lucky take on the concept. Amy Adams does a good job encapsulating the stress her character goes through from scene to scene. If I have one thing to say though, this film is based on a 2021 novel, and for all I know, the novel is great. But “Nightbitch” definitely feels more like literature at times than it does cinema. For one thing, we spend much of the movie hearing Amy Adams’ character, simply named “Mother,” talking inside of her head. There is not a rule saying you cannot have characters talk inside their head. Heck, there is a movie from earlier this year called “Boy Kills World” where the voice inside the main character’s head is probably my favorite part. That said, like any other movie, “Nightbitch” is presented in a medium that is traditionally more show than tell. This movie tends to spend a significant amount of time taking the tell approach. Sometimes it works, other times it does not really add anything to the scene. It kind of spells out certain things that I may have already come to realize. In addition to Adams’ narration, the film also contains fourth wall breaks. That said, this is a dark comedy, so I will at least point out that the narration thankfully provides for some laughs.

I think “Nightbitch” will definitely have an audience. I do not know how much staying power this film will have going forward. For all I know, it could do well when it comes to streaming. Though I think mothers in particular will find this film relatable. Even if they love their children or their partner, I think they will pick up something from “Nightbitch” that they can attach to a certain peeve in their lives. This film is not only a solid dive into motherhood and the struggles it can bring, but what such a common concept could take away. It could interfere with career paths, dreams, ambitions, all to continue the human race.

I imagine dads could find the film relatable themselves. There are several moments of the film that I imagine a father, no matter the age of their kid, has experienced. Either when they try to be useful, or when they want some private time with their partner. That said, “Nightbitch” is presented from a mother’s perspective, therefore it will relate to mothers the most. There is even a line out of Adams’ character that I will not cite verbatim, but she is talking to her husband and she mentions she is busy trying to take care of him, in addition to their child. Also keep in mind, I am single and do not have children. So while many opinions are valid when it comes to art, including ones presented in this review, my thoughts on the film could change should I get married or have kids sometime down the road.

The pacing of this film is brisk, although at times a little overly spontaneous. Though I do admire the film’s efforts for packing in as much as it does in such a short runtime. While there are one or two events that definitely almost come in almost out of the blue, the film for the most part maintains a steady, but speedy path from start to finish. Never once was I uninterested or bored. I have to give credit to Marielle Heller and Rachel Yoder for crafting a consistent script. While I would have been more delighted had said script unleashed more of the dog-related hook, it makes for a fine hour and a half at the cinema. Best movie of the year? Far from it. But is it decent? Sure.

In the end, “Nightbitch” is a fairly… PAW-sitive moviegoing experience. The star of the show, figuratively and literally, is Amy Adams, who overdelivers as “Mother.” Yes, she has a ton of narration. Sometimes it is hit or miss, but Adams goes all the way with it. It is not my favorite performance from Adams, but she clearly owns the role. I also think it was a smart choice to have Marielle Heller direct the film. I can say as a man, I do not think I would have done as effective of a job with a story like this. She is also a parent, so that helps too. This film, even if it is based on something else, definitely has a personal touch. It is noticeable in the dialogue and the performances. I would not recommend the film to all audiences, but I am certain it will find an audience regardless. I am going to give “Nightbitch” a 6/10.

I would also like to shout out this film’s director, Marielle Heller, whose directorial outing prior to this film was “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” a film partially centering around Fred Rogers. I must say “Nightbitch” is quite a transition from Heller’s previous film… A wholesome, comforting, feel good drama, to a vulgar, honest, dark comedy. While Heller is not my favorite director working today, I am definitely looking forward to seeing what she does next because like I said about Adams at the start of this review, Heller definitely has range.

“Nightbitch” is now playing in theaters and is available to stream on Hulu Friday, December 27th.

© Sony Pictures Entertainment

Thanks for reading this review! Do you have comic book movie fatigue? I don’t! But I just saw “Kraven the Hunter” and I am most certainly having “Sony Spider-Man Schlockiverse” fatigue as we speak. Look forward to that review as long as I do not smash my computer in rage while making it. Also coming soon, I will have reviews for “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim” and “Sonic the Hedgehog 3.” If you want to see these reviews and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Nightbitch?” What did you think about it? Or, what is your favorite Amy Adams movie? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

The Persian Version (2023): Two Generations of Stories Come Together in a Uniquely Structured Dramedy

Posted on by Jack Drees

“The Persian Version” is directed by Maryam Keshavarz (Viper Club, Circumstance) and stars Layla Mohammadi (Special Ops: Lioness, The Sex Lives of College Girls), Niousha Noor (Kaleidoscope, Here and Now), Bijan Daneshmand (Infidel, The Night Manager), Bella Warda, and Tom Byrne (The Crown, Road Dance). This film is about a young Iranian-American woman who is at odds with her family, most notably her mother. The two have their key differences. But when a secret is revealed, the young woman realizes that she and her mother may have more in common than then they once thought.

“The Persian Version” is a film that I am not surprised a lot of people are keeping out of the conversation. It is not playing in too many places, and it came out the same weekend as “Five Nights at Freddy’s.” By the way, I have no plans to watch that film for those who ask. But I was very intrigued by “The Persian Version.” I was sold with the marketing. The movie looked, bright, cheery, vibrant, and seemed to make the most of whatever budget it had. It did not look terribly expensive, but it looked polished for a film of its caliber. Turns out, that is just half the battle, because little did I realize what I would be in for.

“The Persian Version” is a quirky, fun, good old fashioned time that occasionally inserts moments of seriousness every once in a while. Is this a good thing? Sort of. There are multiple storylines at hand, all of which deliver some sense of engagement to varying degrees. Like a lot of other movies, there are parts of “The Persian Version” that are better than others. But in the case of “The Persian Version,” even when the movie transitions in an uneven, and nearly cluttered manner, I still find myself invested in much of what is going on.

I found the storytelling and the way it was executed to be particularly creative. It is non-linear, there is an occasional song and dance aspect. There are notable tonal shifts. There is a balance between comedy and drama. But when it comes to those last two things, it is kind of like a see-saw. It has its highs and lows. I found the comedy in particular to be funny, charming, and for the most part, it works. I found the drama to bring the film to a more down to earth feel that gives a sense of perspective for the characters at hand. This does not result in the best movie of the year. Far from it. But it does result in a film I do not regret seeing and one I think that if it is playing near you, would not make for a bad choice. It comes with plenty to enjoy even with its quirks, whether they work or not.

This film starts out in a lighthearted manner. But it sort of does a back and forth transition between genres where at one moment, it is serious. It is dramatic. Then eventually, it reverts back to being something of a comedy. If you have seen my last review, “Freelance,” you would know that meshing genres does not lead to the best results. But in this movie’s favor, it manages to utilize comedy in a way that is humorous. And it also blends in drama to the point where it manages to compel me. But it does not mean the film is without its imperfections. If anything, I think as fascinating as the events within these genre blends are, there is a noticeable sense of inconsistency between them. Because while comedy and drama can work when combined together, the shift from one genre to another feels nearly seismic at times. It does not really allow much room to breathe and the movie almost spends too much time focusing on one genre to the point where it almost has no identity. It is kind of a mish mash, and too extreme of one at that.

The best way I can describe “The Persian Version” is that it is two movies in one package. Both movies are really good, but they almost do not fit together. The story presents itself in two tonal opposites. In comic book movie speak, it’s like combining “Deadpool” with “V for Vendetta.” Both movies work perfectly on their own, and maybe if you put both together, they could lead to an interesting result. But combining both projects only lessens their value in a case like this.

Although given time to marinate, the movie presents two different tones that ultimately fit their respective narratives by the end. And the more I ponder, it gives me a good idea as to how this film’s main duo tends to see the world. In the back of Leila’s mind, she will do anything to embrace the fun and spontaneity of life. She will do anything to have a good time. She will do anything to keep herself happy. Meanwhile we see another story with her mother as the center where I am getting the sense that having fun may not be the top priority, and fun would only get in the way of what she thinks is important. But it is also shepherded by what these two have on their plate at their respective times of their lives.

The other thing I really appreciated about the movie is that it kind of gave me perspective as someone who is of similar age to Leila, who serves as the film’s protagonist. It reminded me that nobody is perfect. I often think about my parents growing up and realize that maybe they have made choices in life that they either regret or maybe their parents did not always agree with, but maybe they stood by them regardless of the outcome. That is not to suggest those choices are a bad thing, because in the end, they ultimately make us who we are. What matters is how we conduct our lives moving forward for ourselves, in addition to the people around us. In the end, even if our choices end up being mistakes, life finds a way to make us happy.

To top off all of what I just said, “The Persian Version” has a marvelous ensemble that is led beautifully by a mother-daughter duo played by Niousha Noor and Layla Mohammadi respectively. Both individuals are perfectly cast and play off each other very well. The family itself offers plenty of moments to enjoy. I thought Leila’s grandmother, Mamanjoon, was a highlight of the film. She also had my favorite line of the film that comes into play a couple times. It got a good laugh out of me. When it comes to slice of life-style films, “The Persian Version” gets plenty of things right, but it is not without its flaws. But would I watch it again? Perhaps so. It is by far one of the most unique movies of the year and if you are looking for something beyond the traditions of filmmaking, this is a decent option.

In the end, “The Persian Version” showcases the beauty of life, all the while highlighting problems that its core woman characters have to face at certain times of their lives. No matter how big or small. The movie is kind of like life itself. It has its fun moments. It has its downer moments. But by the end, everything tends to come full circle. I think this is a creative, one of a kind feature that despite not getting a lot of attention at the box office for the past number of weeks, certainly had mine. I am going to give “The Persian Version” a 7/10.

“The Persian Version” is now playing in select theaters. Tickets are available now.

Thanks for reading this review! If you enjoyed this review, good news! I have more coming! My next review is going to be for “Priscilla!” I got the chance to watch this film at the beginning of the month. It has been on my mind for quite a bit. I cannot wait to talk about it. Also coming soon, I have reviews coming for “The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes” and “The Marvels.” Stay tuned! If you want to see this and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “The Persian Version?” What did you think about it? Or, what is your favorite mother-daughter relationship in film? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!