Peridot

Mother has paused her career as an artist to become a stay-at-home mom for her two-year-old son. Because her husband is away on work trips most of the time, she is responsible for the majority of the caregiving for the boy. Feeling isolated from her artistic identity and resentful of what she sees as the expectation to be friends with other mothers, she frequently fantasizes about lashing out at those around her. She begins to experience surreal physical changes, including patches of fur on her body, the growth of a tail and additional nipples, and heightened senses. Although she initially dismisses these developments as symptoms of emotional stress and perimenopause, she soon becomes convinced that she is turning into a dog. She begins to dream about her childhood in a Mennonite society, including memories of her mother running on all fours and concocting stews with unusual ingredients. Seeking understanding, Mother visits the library to check out a book about mythical transformations, reinforcing her belief in her metamorphosis. Embracing her new identity, she adopts increasingly canine behaviors, finding liberation from societal expectations and a renewal of her artistic passions. She has her son play with dogs, eat from dog bowls and sleep in a dog bed, which calms him down and allows her to sleep through the night as she envisions herself transforming into a dog to run free. During these transformations, she kills small animals, including the family's pet cat. When her husband questions these developments, Mother lashes out at him over his insensitivity to her needs; he tells her he is disappointed in her for shutting him out. They agree to a trial separation while she works on an art project. Mother realizes that her mother could also transform into a dog, and that her son's rebellious and willful nature indicates that she has passed the animal trait to her son. The separation allows Mother to harmonize her animalistic and artistic identities. Eventually, Mother rekindles her relationship with her ex-husband as the two finally come to an understanding, reuniting the family. Some time later, Mother gives birth to her second child, a daughter.