Parents' Guide to Nightbitch

Writer-director Marielle Heller's surreal essay on the sometimes-isolating impact of motherhood is impossible to forget. It's quirky and leaves a lot of loose threads hanging, but—some of the more fantastical elements aside—Nightbitch is accurate. Many moms will find something to relate to here, and the central dog metaphor somehow works. Sit. Stay. Lie down. Roll over. Eat. Go for a walk. These are the daily routines of both dogs and moms who are guiding small children (and, as a result, themselves). The reality of many people's parenthood experience is that, while you do get precious moments of caring for your little one, you also muzzle yourself: You're often wiped out, it can sometimes seem like you're getting dumber as you try to make your little one smarter, and you can feel so, so alone. Nightbitch deconstructs these experiences while also posing the question: How can moms avoid getting stuck and continue being their true selves while also raising another being?

Partners do get a voice, at least in one pivotal scene, to demonstrate the helplessness that they can feel. Indeed, this cinematic fable provides the words that spouses often can't say to each other, in a way that can be understood. But ultimately this story (which is based on the same-named book by Rachel Yoder) is that of a primary parent. And while there's quite a bit of value in having a parenting partner watching this, for kids, it might just make them feel bad.