Amy Adams has graced our screens for decades, delivering standout performances in a variety of films. From her remarkable roles in <em>The Fighter</em>, Doubt, and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, she has consistently showcased her versatility and depth as an actress. Her leading roles in box office hits like Enchanted, <em>Arrival</em>, and Hillbilly Elegy have solidified her status as a Hollywood powerhouse, earning her an impressive six Academy Award nominations. Now, she takes center stage once again in Marielle Heller‘s daring new horror-comedy, Nightbitch.

Based on Rachel Yoder‘s thought-provoking novel, Nightbitch portrays Adams as the aptly named Mother, a stay-at-home mom who sets aside her career to care for her children. However, as the monotony of daily life and the pressures of motherhood mount, she experiences a surreal transformation into a dog. This film also features notable performances from Scoot McNary (Gone Girl), Jessica Harper (Suspiria), and Zoë Chao (Creature Commandos), adding to its compelling ensemble.

In an engaging discussion with Collider’s Steve Weintraub, Adams reflects on the enchanting world of Nightbitch, exploring its theme of mystical realism that mirrors the intricate realities of contemporary motherhood. She also shares her experience working with Jenna Ortega in Taika Waititi’s forthcoming film Klara and the Sun, illustrating her diverse range of projects.

Revisiting the Impact of ‘Arrival’ with Denis Villeneuve

Cherishing the Special Moments on Set

COLLIDER: How are you doing today?

AMY ADAMS: I’m well, how are you?

Doing excellent. How do you feel when people are wearing a bootleg t-shirt from a movie that you were in?

ADAMS: Oh! I just got it. I was like, “Well, that depends.” Oh, I love it. Actually, it makes me say I want one.

I absolutely love this movie.

ADAMS: Is that the human signal, or do you know which symbol?

I don’t actually know what symbol this is, but I wore this for a Shawn Levy interview — you know, he produced it — and it was only at the very end that he’s like, “Oh my God! You’ve been wearing this the whole time.”

ADAMS: I know! I really wanted to get a tattoo of one of them. It’s not too late.

You have plenty of time. If you don’t mind me asking about it, I love that movie so much. What do you remember about making it? Did you realize it would be so special when you were making it?

ADAMS: You can never predict, really, what the experience of others will be, but the experience of making it was very, very special to me. It was very singular and strangely meditative. Denis [Villeneuve] creates a very focused, quiet, fun, respectful set. It was lovely.

Transitioning from ‘Disenchanted’ to the Unique Role in ‘Nightbitch’

“I had the opportunity to transition from Giselle to a more complex character.”

Jumping into why I get to talk to you. You are, as usual, fantastic in this role.

ADAMS: Thank you.

It’s so different than what you’ve done recently. I heard you went from the sequel of Enchanted to filming this.

ADAMS: Yes, I did. That was sort of the film history of it. I did a play in between, so I did have a little bit of time to shake Giselle off before I delved into the more complex character of Nightbitch.

It’s so amazing the difference in roles. You get offered, I’m sure, some really good scripts. What was it about this one that said, “Oh, I need to do this?”

ADAMS: I actually received a manuscript of the book before we brought Marielle on at all. Sue Naegle over at Annapurna Pictures was like, “Do you want to develop this with us?” I read the book, and it just felt like such a unique point of view. When I started getting into the book and, of course, the themes of transformation, there was a great deal of humor interwoven, alongside a realistic portrayal of a relationship affected by parenting. It presented an excellent opportunity to explore the themes of family and community through the lens of identity loss and transformation, which felt truly unique and engaging.

We were keen on finding the right director, and truly, the first person we approached was Marielle because of her exceptional understanding of tone and her approach to mystical realism. When she agreed, we were off to the races, and she adapted the book beautifully, managing to keep the strong internal monologue that is vital to the story flowing through the film using different cinematic techniques.

Understanding the Reflection of Modern Motherhood in ‘Nightbitch’

“There’s a constantly shifting bar of expectations that is incredibly frustrating.”

I know my sister is going to love this movie. She’s a mom, and I talk to her all the time about the struggles. I think a lot of people are going to resonate with this when they watch it. Can you elaborate on the fact that there are so many individuals grappling with the challenges of motherhood and family, yet these discussions are often overlooked?

ADAMS: We don’t talk about it. It’s genuinely challenging because I think there’s this bar of expectation that keeps moving, which can be incredibly frustrating. In a world that emphasizes comparison, it’s easy to feel inadequate and undervalued. There’s a genuine need for community support within parenting that seems to have diminished, and it would be beneficial if we could start viewing our children as our future and emphasize community connections.

See also  Elden Ring: Shadow Of The Erdtree

Related

“The Father Is Not a Villain”: Amy Adams Is Glad That the Dads Are Responding to ‘Nightbitch’

The actress plays a new mom who goes through a feral transformation in Marielle Heller’s latest film.

The other thing is — I’m not trying to criticize social media — but it can create a misleading perception of reality. You see people through a filtered lens, which leads to the belief that what you see is the whole truth, when in reality, everything is often staged.

ADAMS: Oh, absolutely. That was one of the objectives we had with this film. We aimed to create something that felt unfiltered, both literally and metaphorically — an authentic representation of a changing body and evolving mindset. It was important for us to present a genuine portrayal of motherhood.

Celebrating Jenna Ortega’s Performance in ‘Klara and the Sun’

Before I run out of time with you, I’m a fan of Taika, and you’re involved in Klara and The Sun.

ADAMS: Yes, I already completed it.

What can you share about that project? What was it that attracted you to the material?

ADAMS: To be honest, I had heard of it but hadn’t read it prior to getting involved. It was a quick turnaround — I received a call saying, “How do you feel about leaving for New Zealand in two weeks to work with Taika?” Naturally, I was thrilled because I’ve wanted to collaborate with him for ages. I appreciate his unique sensibility. After one conversation with him and reading the script, I was on the next flight to New Zealand. Jenna [Ortega] is absolutely wonderful and perfectly cast as Klara.

Nightbitch is currently screening in theaters.

</div

Related posts:

Watch & Stream On the web through Hulu

What Happened to Yuyi Chua? Controversy Explained

Sandman Serial Killer: Unveiling the Mystery in Cross Series