Nicole Kidman leads provocative drama ‘Babygirl,’ exploring power and desire

Nicole Kidman is no stranger to pushing boundaries on-screen, and her latest film, Babygirl, promises to be her boldest yet. Opening with a dramatic orgasm and featuring scenes that outdo even the most infamous erotic dramas, Babygirl delves into themes of power and sexual exploration.

A fearless exploration of female desire

In Babygirl, Kidman stars as Romy, a powerful CEO dissatisfied in her marriage who embarks on an affair with her much younger intern, played by Harrison Dickinson. The film, directed by Halina Reijn, challenges traditional narratives by focusing on an older woman’s perspective on lust and empowerment.

Kidman, 57, praised the project’s unique viewpoint, noting her fascination with the script. “It’s about power and what that does to you sexually,” she said in an interview. Reijn described the film as a space for women to explore untamed desires, a theme rarely addressed in mainstream cinema.

Balancing artistry and personal life

While the explicit nature of Babygirl has sparked conversation, Kidman emphasized the professionalism behind her performance. “I was so in character,” she said, noting that her husband, country singer Keith Urban, supports her work but avoids involvement in the creative process until completion.

Kidman’s approach to her craft has long involved taking risks. Reflecting on her infamous role in Eyes Wide Shut (1999), which some speculate contributed to her divorce from Tom Cruise, Kidman explained, “I did it because it was important for the film. The scenes couldn’t be fake—they had to be real and raw.”

A diverse portfolio in 2024

Babygirl caps off a busy year for Kidman, who also appeared in Netflix’s The Perfect Couple, the action series Special Ops: Lioness, and the rom-com A Family Affair, where she reunited with Zac Efron for another playful take on older-woman dynamics.

While Babygirl has already been described as one of the most disturbing yet empowering films of the year, Kidman sees it as a celebration of artistic freedom. The film is set to release on Dec. 25.