While some actors earn minimal salaries, Amy Adams prefers Froot Loops as her treat.

In her latest dark comedy “Nightbitch,” hitting theaters on Friday, Adams embodies a stay-at-home mother to a young son (played by 3-year-old twins Arleigh and Emmett Snowden) who starts to think she is transforming into a dog. The film opens with the tired mother in a grocery store with her child, where she encounters the woman who took over her old position, leading her to express feelings of being “trapped in a prison of my own making.”

At 50, Adams cleverly kept breakfast cereal in her shirt pocket to keep the young actors entertained between scenes. “I recall the boys were completely fixated on me, eagerly waiting for their Froot Loop,” she shares. But “they figured out my secret stash and realized, ‘Oh, I can get to it.’”

Occasionally, Adams indulged in some herself. “I chose Froot Loops because I thought, ‘What would I desire after a take?’” she laughs. (The six-time Oscar nominee has other set snack favorites: “Cheetos, turkey jerky, and Skittles.”)

Adams describes her experience filming “Nightbitch,” and parenting in general, like trying to deliver a lengthy speech while a toddler rummages for snacks: “That’s pretty much what it’s like to juggle both,” says Adams, who is mother to 14-year-old Aviana with her actor-director husband Darren Le Gallo.

In “Nightbitch,” adapted by director Marielle Heller from Rachel Yoder’s 2021 novel, Adams not only stars but also produces, portraying an unnamed mother overwhelmed by sleepless nights and daily challenges of child-rearing, especially with her husband (Scoot McNairy) away for work. As she grapples with emotional struggles, she begins to notice fur growing on her back, sharper teeth, and a tail, ultimately embracing a more primal canine persona that brings about positive changes in her life.

While she has acted alongside Muppets and Superman, and has taken on roles ranging from a Disney princess (“Enchanted”) to an alien linguist (“Arrival”), “Nightbitch” stands out as Adams’ most unconventional character, fusing elements of body horror and magical realism.

In this role, she displays dog-like behaviors—eating, growling, and sniffing—engaging in intimate moments with her husband, and exhibiting acrobatic moves. One standout scene occurs during dinner with old grad school friends, where she clumsily reveals her feelings of being ignored and unseen, ultimately succumbing to her frustrations by choking down kale salad before tossing it back up and taking her anger out on a cheeseburger.

“Certain topics are often left unspoken, and many feel unheard,” remarks Heller. “Every parent knows the sensation of being dismissed. Particularly as women age, a sense of invisibility creeps in, and that can be painful.”

On set, Adams embraced her wild side, often spending time with real dogs. One memorable moment had her character running freely through the night alongside them. “Leading a pack of dogs was exhilarating,” she shares with a chuckle. “Unfortunately, being around them often made me want to just lay down and take a nap—that’s my dog-like nature, very much like a golden retriever.”

Her furry companions kept Adams and the crew focused, just as the young actors did. Heller recalls her 2-year-old daughter visiting the set of “Nightbitch,” noting that having the twin boys around was “quite challenging for her.” Adams shares that she opted not to bring her daughter to work when she was younger: “I didn’t want her to feel like she wasn’t important to me.”

Aviana joined her parents on the red carpet during the Toronto Film Festival premiere of “Nightbitch,” but chose not to stay for the film. “Sometimes, it’s not so great for her to see me in certain scenarios,” says Adams, noting her daughter typically waits a few years to see her movies after their release.

“Oddly enough, we don’t revolve around my career at home,” the actress adds with a laugh. Notably, growing up, Aviana preferred to engage in pretend play with her dad rather than with Adams: “My professional style didn’t sit well with her for some reason.”

Amy Adams gets emotional reflecting on her work with the kids from “Nightbitch,” which reminds her of the earlier days spent with her daughter.

“It made me want to go back,” Adams shares. “The routine becomes a cherished memory that eventually fades, only to be replaced by new experiences, which is beautiful. But I often wonder, why didn’t I let her explore more creatively? Why did I limit her to painting on a small surface? I should have encouraged her to express her wild side more.”

“Working on this project prompted me to evaluate my parenting approach,” she explains. “Every parent I know engages in discussions about how to maximize every moment, how to progress, and the lessons we’re imparting. It’s truly a significant responsibility.”

“How I wish I could sing my daughter her lullaby five times at night again. I’d love to try that now. I’m going to give it a shot tonight and see her reaction. She’ll probably be like, ‘What?!’”