Initially planned for a direct-to-streaming release on Hulu, it was given a wide cinema release by Searchlight Pictures after test screenings generated a strong reaction.
Amy Adams's name in the film is simply "Mother", a designation Adams says characterises the singular way her character perceives herself and feels recognised by society at that time.
Adapted from the novel of the same title by Rachel Yoder, who also served as a writer on the film.
Director Marielle Heller insisted the dog into which Mother transforms should have blue eyes and red hair reminiscent of Amy Adams, a combination that is rare for Siberian Huskies. The film’s animal trainers had no dog matching that description in their database, so they turned to shelters and found and rescued Juno. Juno was trained for the role within six weeks — a quicker-than-usual turnaround for most acting dogs. After production, Juno went to live with trainer Adriana 'Andie' Echeverria.
Amy Adams and Scoot McNairy both appeared in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016).
It had been slated to enter production during the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike, but was postponed for a year.
The librarian recommends "A Field Guide to Magical Women" to the Mother — a completely fictionalised book title attributed to Wanda Wasserstein, PhD, in the film, whereas in the original novel it is credited to Wanda White.
Marielle Heller: A woman in a supermarket, finding it difficult to cope with two young children.
Zoë Chao and Mary Holland both featured in The Afterparty (2022).
Ella Thomas and Roslyn Gentle both featured in the Tubi original horror-thriller "Unborn (2022)".
Mum reads 'Goodnight Construction Site' to her son. The picture book was also read aloud by Chris Evans during a CBeebies Bedtime Story.
