The Hollywood Reporter: “Nicole Kidman is a transformative actress, capable of embodying a wide range of characters with depth and nuance, from complex heroines to formidable antagonists.”
BBC: “Kidman’s performances are marked by an emotional honesty and a willingness to explore the darker sides of her characters.”
Nicole Kidman delves deep into a provocative role in Halina Reijn’s new film, Babygirl, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival. The film explores the intense dynamics of power, desire, and identity, and features Kidman as Romy, a high-powered executive in New York who enters a tumultuous relationship with a younger intern, Samuel, played by Harris Dickinson. Their affair begins after Samuel saves her from a near-dog attack, leading to a relationship filled with domination, submission, and psychological complexity.
Nicole Kidman has arrived to the Venice Film Festival premiere of #Babygirl. pic.twitter.com/mFI245qidM
— Variety (@Variety) August 30, 2024
Kidman’s portrayal of Romy is one of her most revealing performances, both emotionally and physically. The character’s journey involves exploring her deepest desires and vulnerabilities in a relationship where she relinquishes control, which is a stark contrast to her professional life. This intense relationship with Samuel, where she becomes the submissive partner, highlights themes of power, control, and personal liberation. The affair provides an escape from her unsatisfactory marriage to a character played by Antonio Banderas, who himself praised the film for its bold exploration of human nature and instincts.
Reijn’s direction offers a contemporary take on the erotic thrillers of the past, drawing comparisons to films like Secretary and 9 1/2 Weeks. Babygirl is part of Reijn’s ongoing exploration of complex female characters, following her previous film, Bodies Bodies Bodies. With explicit scenes and a narrative centered around power dynamics and sexual exploration, Babygirl is set to provoke conversations about gender, sexuality, and self-acceptance.
Kidman expressed her enthusiasm for the role, highlighting how the film allowed her to explore various facets of human nature and female desire through a female gaze, a perspective often underrepresented in cinema. She described the film as a journey of self-discovery and liberation, where her character confronts her own weaknesses and strengths. The narrative delves into complex themes of secrecy, consent, and the often-taboo subject of female sexual desire, particularly focusing on the “orgasm gap” and women’s relationship with their bodies.
The film’s explicit content, including numerous intimate scenes, was carefully choreographed to ensure authenticity and comfort among the cast. Both Kidman and Dickinson worked closely with an intimacy coordinator to navigate these scenes, which Kidman noted felt respectful and safe. This meticulous preparation helped create a believable and compelling portrayal of a relationship defined by both vulnerability and strength.
Nicole Kidman Stuns at Venice Film Festival with Baby Girl and Dazzling Fashion https://t.co/vnSMsqwEoM
— C•TN (@CTN_CZ) August 30, 2024
Reijn aims to challenge societal norms and stereotypes about good and evil through her characters, presenting them as multifaceted beings who defy simple categorization. She emphasized the importance of not punishing her characters but allowing them to exist in their complexity. For Kidman, taking on this role was about fully immersing herself in the character without fear or hesitation, trusting in Reijn’s vision to explore themes of liberation and self-love.
Babygirl is set for a Christmas Day release and is expected to generate significant discussion as it continues its run on the film festival circuit, including at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Key Points:
i. Nicole Kidman stars in Babygirl, a provocative film exploring power dynamics and sexual liberation, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival.
ii. The film, directed by Halina Reijn, features Kidman as a high-powered executive who engages in a complex, submissive relationship with a younger intern.
iii. Babygirl draws on themes of desire, power, and the human psyche, with explicit scenes that explore the characters’ vulnerabilities and strengths.
iv. Kidman embraced the challenging role, emphasizing the freedom of exploring a female character’s desires through a woman’s perspective.
v. The film is expected to spark conversations about gender, sexuality, and self-acceptance, with a planned release on Christmas Day.
Charles William III – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News