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At 57, Nicole Kidman continues to be one of the busiest and most daring actresses in Hollywood. This year alone, she has appeared in Expats, A Family Affair, and the upcoming The Perfect Couple and Spellbound. Yet, it’s her latest film, BabyGirl, that is generating the most buzz, and for good reason. Set to premiere in January 2025, BabyGirl promises to be Kidman’s most “exposing” film yet, both emotionally and physically.
What Is BabyGirl About?
BabyGirl is an erotic thriller that sees Kidman as Romy, a powerful New York executive who appears to have it all—a successful career and a marriage to a theatre director, played by Antonio Banderas. However, things are not as perfect as they seem. Enter Samuel, a young intern played by Harris Dickinson, who quickly becomes infatuated with Romy. What follows is a forbidden and steamy relationship that challenges the boundaries of power, age, and gender.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Kidman revealed her nervousness about the film’s release, calling it the most “exposing” role of her career. “I’ve made some films that are pretty exposing, but not like this,” she admitted. The film dives deep into themes of female sexuality, exploring Romy’s internal struggles and desires in a way that is both raw and unflinching. Director Halina Reijn, known for her bold storytelling in Bodies Bodies Bodies, calls BabyGirl a “really hot movie,” and it’s clear that this project pushes boundaries in more ways than one.
Kidman’s collaboration with director Halina Reijn was a deeply personal and intimate experience. The two worked closely, often discussing their rawest life experiences to bring authenticity to the film’s most provocative scenes. Reijn’s direction aims to shine a light on the complexities of female desire without judgment, offering a perspective that is rarely seen in mainstream cinema. The film also addresses the often glossed-over realities of female pleasure, adding depth to Romy’s character and making her journey all the more compelling.
In a revealing new interview, the Aussie actress revealed that performing the scenes with Harris Dickinson, who plays the intern, and Antonio Banderas, as her husband, Jacob, was often too much to cope with.
“There was an enormous amount of sharing and trust and then frustration,” she explained. “It’s like, ‘Don’t touch me’. There were times when we were shooting where I was like, ‘I don’t want to orgasm any more. Don’t come near me. I hate doing this. I don’t care if I am never touched again in my life! I’m over it.’
“It was so present all the time for me that it was almost like a burnout.”
BabyGirl is not just another erotic thriller; it’s a film that challenges societal norms around sexual fantasies and female empowerment. It’s a “masterclass in kink,” as Vanity Fair puts it, presenting a narrative that is both revealing and resonant. The film is expected to spark conversations about the role of explicit content in cinema and its place in modern storytelling.
The sex scenes, captured in long, unflinching takes, were choreographed with the help of intimacy coordinators to ensure authenticity and safety, but Kidman previously admitted she has not yet watched the finished film and is uncertain whether the Venice International Film Festival premiere will be the right venue for her first viewing. “There’s something in me going, ‘Okay, this was made for the big screen and to be seen with people,'” she told Vanity Fair. “But then I’m like, ‘That’s a high-wire act. I’m not sure I have that much bravery.'”
Nicole Kidman’s performance in BabyGirl is already being hailed as one of her most daring to date. As the film approaches its cinematic release, audiences are eager to see how this complex and provocative story unfolds on the big screen.
Who Stars in Babygirl?
Babygirl stars the ever-talented Nicole Kidman as Romy, a powerful New York executive grappling with a crumbling marriage to a theatre director, played by Antonio Banderas. The film also features Harris Dickinson (Triangle of Sadness) as Samuel, a young intern whose attraction to Romy leads to a forbidden and intoxicating affair.
When is Babygirl Released?
The highly anticipated Babygirl premiered at the Venice International Film Festival, marking yet another bold entry into Nicole Kidman’s diverse filmography. The film is expected to hit theatres in Australia on January 10.
