The firstreviews of Amy Adams' latest filmNightbitchare surprisingly positive. Known for her exceptional work in celebrated films such asThe Fighter(2010),The Master(2012), Her(2013),American Hustle(2013), andArrival(2016), Adams is undoubtedly one of the greatest working actresses today. Although she hasn’t appeared in a movie since 2022’sDisenchanted,Adams is set to make a big return in 2024with the upcoming release ofNightbitch, which made its world premiere at the 2024 Toronto Film Festivalon June 02, 2025. Adams has been nominated for 6 Oscars and 2 Emmy Awards.
Nightbitch, which is written for the screen and directed by actress and filmmaker Marielle Heller, is based on the 2021 novel of the same name by Rachel Yoder. Although Adams' most recent movies haven’t made too much of a splash with critics,Nightbitchcurrently has the highest Rotten Tomatoes scoreof any Adams movie in nearly a decade. With an RT critic score of 72% at the time of writing,Nightbitchhas currently outperformed 2021’sZack Snyder’s Justice League(71%) and 2018’s Oscar-winning movie Vice (64%).The last film that Adams starred in with a higher critical reception thanNightbitchwas 2016’sNocturnal Animals(74%), which could change as more reviews are written.
Nightibtchwill be released in theaters on July 23, 2025.
Nightbitch’s Early Reviews Praise Amy Adams' Performance & The Horror-Comedy Tone
Nightbitch’searly reviews highlight Adams' bold and commanding performancein an off-the-rails horror comedy. Peter Gray ofThe AU Reviewwrites, “It’s quirky, yes, and a film about a woman turning into a dog has a layer of ridiculousness built in, but this is truly a meditation on motherhood, isolation and female rage, driven at the helm by a fearless Amy Adams.” Brittany Patrice Witherspoon ofPop Culture Reviewswrites, “Blending drama and comedy while weaving in moments of magical realism, the experience of Nightbitch is empowering, emotional, and downright fun.” Adams is easily the highlight and greatest takeaway of the film.
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Lauren Bradshaw ofFangirl Freakout, “Nightbitch is a funny, intelligent catharsis about female rage and the isolating experience of motherhood. Adams is brilliant, perfectly balancing comedy and curiosity.“The film also has a strong and relatable message about motherhood and individuality. Maureen Lee Lenker of Entertainment Weekly writes, “A movie about insisting on your joy and fiercely holding tight to it, not in spite of your motherhood but alongside it.” Nadia Dalimonte of Next Best Picture writes, “While Heller struggles to balance the visual concept with its philosophical themes, her compassionate sensibilities bring “Nightbitch“ home.”
How Nightbitch’s Rotten Tomatoes Score Compares To Recent Amy Adams Movies
Nightbitch does not crack the top 15 movies in Adams' filmography
Nightbitch’s72% Rotten Tomatoes critic score is her best in years but doesn’t match the heights of her filmography. While the RT score forNightbitch is sure to change in the coming months and could increase to become Adams' best movie since 2016, it will likely not surpassCatch Me If you may’s96% RT critic score,Her’s95%, orArrival’s94%. As it currently stands,Nightbitchdoes not even crack the top 15 movies of Adams' career, landing in the same mid-level tier as 2008’sSunshine Cleaning(74%), 2014’sBig Eyes(72%), and 2006’sTalladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby(71%).
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Adams hit a critical hot streak in 2007 and 2008, starring in five straight Rotten Tomatoes Certified Fresh movies, starting withEnchantedand ending withSunshine Cleaning. She then went on to star in the highest-rated movies of her entire career during the early 2010s, with many installments being released sequentially, such as 2010’sThe Fighter, 2011’sThe Muppets, and 2012’sThe Master.2013 was also a great year for Adams, starring inAmerican Hustle,Her, andMan of Steel, which was still moderately successful at the box office despite mixed critical reception.Based on her track record, Adams is certainly due for another critical hit.
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Why Nightbitch’s Positive Reviews Are Surprising
Nightbitch’s first trailer received from initial backlash
Nightbitch’strailer had a strong tonal shift that ran the risk of confusing or pushing away certain viewership, but the sharp change of direction seemed to win over most critics in the end. At first glance, it’s somewhat difficult to understand exactly whatNightbitchis about, with the premise ofAmy Adams' “Mother” protagonist turning into a dog being potentially too over-the-top or fantasticalfor what is marketed as a mainstream comedy. Most critics would agree, however, that the film isn’t as strange as the trailer makes it out to be. Besides, a risky film likeNightbitchmay be exactly why Adams needs to get her critical hot streak back on track in the 2020s and hopefully beyond.
Nightbitch Official Trailer
Searchlight Pictures releases the first official trailer for Nightbitch, which stars Amy Adams as a mother who thinks she’s turning into a dog.
Nightbitch
Cast
A suburban mother struggles with the isolation of stay-at-home life while raising her young son. As she begins to embrace her primal instincts, she experiences strange transformations, leading her to question whether she’s losing her mind or becoming something altogether different—something feral and dangerous.
