Nightbitch (2024)

A successful artist (previously having shown work at the Met), is struggling in her new role as first-time mother in her late 40s. Her husband works out of town, only coming home on weekends, and she spends all of her time caring for their toddler. She feels her brain atrophying as her days become indiscernible from one another and she often doesn't even have the energy for her own physical needs like regular bathing. She feels like she's becoming -- or perhaps reverting -- to pure animal, and the neighborhood dogs seem to agree and consider her their alpha.

I think this may have simply hit me in the right mood, because I felt like I understood. There's a desperation in feeling yourself being replaced by a mindless servant to a tiny tyrant. I've literally been the person who, with a stained shirt and dirty hair pulled into a ponytail, runs into a wonderful-smelling, perfectly-put-together former college friend at the grocery store. There's a humiliation to falling out of society and a feeling of failure if you don't appreciate the privilege of being a stay-at-home mom.

But it's very possible that I'm giving this film credit that it doesn't deserve. Does it make the viewer understand? Or did I understand already and simply assume this script did a competent job of conveying that feeling to all viewers? I have a strong suspicion it's the latter.

C+