Nicole Kidman ventures into erotic thriller territory with Babygirl; explores themes of desire and existential crisis

Nicole Kidman ventures into erotic thriller territory with Babygirl

Nicole Kidman has boldly ventured into uncharted territory with her latest film, Babygirl, which premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on August 30, 2024. The film, directed and written by Dutch filmmaker Halina Reijn, is an American erotic thriller that delves deep into themes of desire, power dynamics, and self-exploration.

In Babygirl, Kidman stars as Romy, a high-powered CEO in New York who engages in a tumultuous, sado-masochistic affair with a new intern, portrayed by Harris Dickinson. This affair threatens not only her marriage to Antonio Banderas's character but also her family life. The film opens and closes with intense scenes of desire and psychological manipulation, leaving audiences in a state of heightened anticipation throughout its run.

At a press conference before the premiere, Nicole Kidman expressed her feelings of vulnerability and exposure, stating, "This definitely leaves me exposed and vulnerable and frightened and all of those things when it's given to the world, but making it with these people here, it was delicate and intimate and very, very deep. Right now we're all a bit nervous."

The film is competing for the prestigious Golden Lion prize and marks the third feature from director Halina Reijn, who also co-produced the film. Babygirl explores complex power relationships and shifts some of these dynamics in unexpected ways. Early reviews have been generally positive, with Variety praising Kidman’s fearless performance and IndieWire describing the film as a "sexy, darkly funny, and bold piece of work."

Halina Reijn, who previously worked on films such as Instinct and The New Economy, highlighted the film's focus on female desire and existential crisis, emphasizing its multi-layered nature. “I’m very delighted to be able to make a film about female desire but it's also a film about a woman in an existential crisis and it has many layers,” Halina Reijn said.

Nicole Kidman, who has previously explored themes of sexuality and human psychology in films like Eyes Wide Shut with her then-husband Tom Cruise, was drawn to Babygirl for its unique narrative and its opportunity to support female directors. She praised Halina Reijn’s vision, noting, "It's told by a woman through her gaze... that's to me what made it so unique because suddenly I was going to be in the hands of a woman with this material and it was very, very deep to be able to share those things and very freeing."

Nicole Kidman, who appeared on the red carpet in a striking two-tone Schiaparelli gown, downplayed concerns about nudity in the film. Instead, she focused on the story and her character's emotional journey, saying, "I will just completely abandon (myself) to the story, to the nature of the character I'm playing, so I don't think about bodies per se, I just think about how do we tell the story."

In November 2023, it was announced that David Hinojosa of 2AM would produce Babygirl alongside Halina Reijn of Man Up Films, with A24 providing financing for the project. Julia Oh, Zach Nutman, and Christine D’Souza Gelb from 2AM were initially set to serve as executive producers. However, it was later confirmed that Julie Oh would take on the producer role, contrary to earlier reports. Halina Reijn not only directed the film but also wrote the screenplay, marking her second English-language feature film, both of which were produced by A24.

The film’s depiction of workplace dynamics drew inspiration from classic erotic thrillers such as Indecent Proposal and Basic Instinct. The choice to set the affair in an American workplace, known for its stricter hierarchies and regulations compared to Europe, enhances the sense of taboo and forbidden nature of the relationship depicted.

Halina Reijn highlighted her interest in exploring women’s relationships with their bodies as a significant motivator for the film. She also acknowledged her admiration for 1980s and 90s erotic thrillers, particularly those directed by Paul Verhoeven and Adrian Lyne, as a major influence on her decision to create Babygirl.

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Babygirl is set to continue its festival circuit with a North American premiere at the 49th Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2024. The film will then be released in the United States and Canada by A24 on December 25, 2024, after an initial release date was shifted from December 20.

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Filming for Babygirl began in December 2023 in New York City and wrapped up in February 2024. The film stands out as a bold exploration of human desires and the complexities of power in professional and personal relationships, cementing its place as a significant work in the genre.