Montclair Film Festival 2024: Nightbitch, Gazer, Flow, The Room Next Door | Reviews

Montclair Film Festival 2024 was spectacular this year, with a diverse group of films from some of the best filmmakers. Conclave, directed by Edward Berger, opened the film festival night, while other films, such as Unstoppable, directed by William Goldenberg, were screened as the fiction centerpiece. Gints Zilbalodis’ film Flow was screened as the family centerpiece, and The Piano Lesson, directed by Malcolm Washington, closed out the festival. Late-night talk show host Stephen Colbert took the stage for special events that featured New Jersey rockstar Jon Bon Jovi and celebrity chef Ina Garten. As the film festival celebrated its 13th year, it was unforgettable to celebrate worldwide filmmaking. Let’s explore some of the films selected for the festival.

Nightbitch is an adaptation of Rachel Yoder’s 2021 dark comedic novel. As someone who read the book, my expectations were set to deliver a feminist story. Director Marielle Heller made some changes that were different from the book. Some of the changes were as worthy to enhance the story, and it’s rare the film is better than the book. Heller hits the right notes on the themes the film was trying to say about motherhood. Mother (Amy Adams) is an artist married to her husband (Scott McNairy) and she is a stay-at-home mom who paused her career to raise her son (Emmett and Arleigh Snowden) however, she believes she’s turning into a dog. Heller blends the worlds of horror and comedy as the film is a realistic and honest look at motherhood and the expectations women set. Adams is one of the greatest actresses in the world, and there is no denying that. She embraces her ferocious role, whose character is unfiltered. This is unlike anything she has done before, whose character sacrifices her career. Adams’s character is complex and grounded as she commands the screen. Her character does have some cringy moments, however, it makes the film work. Adams is easily the best part of the character study in this film. Come this award season, do not be surprised if there is discussion about Adams being nominated for an Oscar. The script itself has the potential to be recognized. The film that explores feminist rage delivers laughs but could have a little more depth. Nightbitch won’t exactly stick with all audiences, but it will keep most of them entertained.

Ryan J. Sloan directs Gazer, which was self-financed as the film takes inspiration from legendary filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock. Set on the outskirts of Newark, New Jersey, a young Frankie (Ariella Mastroianni) has a degenerative condition that affects how she perceives time. This condition is known as dyschronometria, and she uses self-taped cassettes to guide her. She loses her job at a gas station and desperately needs money to support herself and reunite with her daughter. Frankie meets a woman with a dark past and offers her a risky job that she cannot refuse as it involves a large payout. Sloan has audiences pay close attention to all of its details for an unpredictable slow burn as the film focuses on grief. The gritty neo-noir was shot on grainy 16mm, which made it appear audiences were watching a VHS tape. Mastroianni was a producer and co-wrote the film alongside Sloan. Her performance is raw as she captures her character struggling with her condition. The film ultimately hooks when nightmare scenes take full force. Visually, they are wildly creative and dark. Sloan’s film does drag slightly and leads to a rushed conclusion. In the future, I’m set to see Sloan directing a horror film as a key eye to direct thrillers.

Flow (Straume) is unlike any other film and the most beautiful animated film of 2024. Director Gints Zilbalodis co-wrote the film along with Matīss Kaža, which has no dialogue as the story takes place in a post-apocalyptic world. No human is in sight and audiences follow a loner and independent black cat after a huge flood destroys his home. He finds shelter on a boat with other animals as they work together, sailing and adjusting to their new world. On the boat ride, the cat’s adorable new friends include a capybara, a lemur, a crane, and a golden retriever dog. The film brings together an unlikely squad, and watching the animals team up is one of the most heartwarming elements. It’s also very funny! Imagine a caybara figuring out how to steer a boat. Every shot in the film is stunning and rich, and it feels real to the tiniest details. This story feels realistic and all the animals have chemistry—one of the most mesmerizing connections to be seen in cinema. Zilbalodis brings an imaginative, mystical adventure that audiences will not want to miss out on. Perfect for all ages!

Director Pedro Almodόvar makes his first English film with The Room Next Door, and brings Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton together to tell the story of a complex friendship that explores life and death. The film was adapted for the screen and is based on Sigrid Nunez’s novel, What Are You Going Through, published in 2020. When Ingrid (Moore) and Martha (Tilda Swinton) were younger, they worked for a magazine together and became close friends. They separated when Martha went on to become a war reporter and Ingrid became a bestselling author. Ingrid and Martha reconnect due to Martha’s terminal illness which eventually leads to Martha wanting to end her life. While Almodόvar’s film is thought-provoking the film stumbles due to how it translates. There are times when the dialogue sounds artificial and doesn’t feel authentic. Almodόvar keeps it all safe with his direction as the film involves a sensitive subject. Moore and Swinton are easily the best aspects of the film as together their bond is excellent and believable as the friends reunite. There performances help show the power of female friendship. It’s not Almodόvar’s best film, but it does not stop it from being a satisfactory watch.

Explore our coverage of some other hits featured at the 2024 Montclair Film Festival: Small Things Like These, Henrietta Finds a Nest, Strange Creatures, RAT!, and Meek.