Nicole Kidman, the 57-year-old award-winning actress, recently revealed the complexities and challenges she faced while working on her latest film, Babygirl. This provocative erotic thriller, directed by Halina Reijn, sees Kidman take on the role of Romy Mathis, a high-powered CEO who embarks on a passionate and risky affair with a younger intern, portrayed by Harris Dickinson.
The film dives into themes of power, desire, and the intricate personal sacrifices people make when navigating such intense relationships.
In an appearance on The Graham Norton Show, Kidman opened up about her experience filming the movie, particularly regarding its explicit content. She explained that she had no reservations about participating in the numerous intimate scenes, saying, “Not at all. I loved the script, I love supporting women in the industry, and it was just really good.
It is exciting and bold, and I am always looking to push out of my comfort zone.” Kidman emphasized how thrilling it was for her as an actor to challenge herself with a role that was so different from what she had done before.
The actress further reflected on the motivation behind accepting the role, stating, “I’ve always been on a quest as an actor. I’m always going, ‘Where have I not been? And what can I explore as a human being?’
And this was an area I’d never been.” She revealed that exploring this type of character, one who delves into a complicated, forbidden relationship, presented a unique opportunity for her as a performer, allowing her to push the boundaries of her craft.
Balancing her professional career with her personal life, Kidman, who has been married to country singer Keith Urban for nearly two decades, discussed the importance of having family support while working on such a challenging project. She explained that, with a family at home, her career choices require open communication and understanding.
“Unfortunately, when you have a family at home and everything, there has to be a sort of agreement that’s made where you go, ‘I’m now going to go into this and I’m asking your permission to let me go.’ So there’s a releasing of you into your artistic life and then you come back to your home and your real life. But there is a sort of letting go that’s required.”
As expected, the role demanded Kidman to participate in multiple intimate scenes, which proved to be both physically and emotionally demanding. She shared that the process left her feeling drained and frustrated at times. In an interview with The Sun, Kidman openly discussed the emotional toll of filming these scenes, saying, “There was an enormous amount of sharing and trust and then frustration.
It’s like, ‘Don’t touch me.’ There were times when we were shooting where I was like, ‘I don’t want to [perform intimate scenes] anymore. 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.’”
She also admitted that these scenes left her feeling “ragged” by the end of the day, highlighting the emotional exhaustion that came with portraying such an intense and demanding character. Despite these challenges, Kidman’s performance in Babygirl has been praised by critics and audiences alike.
Her portrayal of Romy Mathis has earned her a great deal of recognition, with a particularly notable honor at the 81st Venice International Film Festival, where she won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress. Kidman received a seven-minute standing ovation for her compelling performance, further cementing her reputation as one of Hollywood’s most talented and versatile actresses.
The film is set for release in theaters on December 25, 2024, in the United States, and will follow with a UK release on January 10, 2025. Babygirl also stars Sophie Wilde and Antonio Banderas, both of whom add to the movie’s appeal and intrigue.
The film explores the complex and often dangerous territory of forbidden relationships, particularly focusing on how power dynamics can influence personal lives.
Kidman’s character, Romy, is faced with the dilemma of balancing her successful career and family life while engaging in a relationship that crosses professional boundaries. Her journey through this affair highlights the tension between power, desire, and the pursuit of personal fulfillment.
Under the direction of Halina Reijn, Babygirl challenges societal expectations by exploring taboo themes in an unflinching and thought-provoking manner. Reijn is known for her bold and daring storytelling, and her collaboration with Kidman promises to create a cinematic experience that resonates on an emotional level with audiences.
Kidman’s commitment to taking on roles that push boundaries and explore uncharted territories continues to affirm her status as one of the industry’s most fearless performers. With her role in Babygirl, Kidman proves once again her ability to embrace challenging and controversial roles, taking on complex characters that require not only physical bravery but emotional vulnerability.
As the release date for Babygirl approaches, it is poised to ignite conversations around the portrayal of intimacy on screen, as well as the dynamics of power and vulnerability in relationships.
Kidman’s involvement in such a provocative project underscores her ongoing commitment to creating art that is both challenging and transformative, constantly pushing the limits of what is expected in mainstream storytelling. Through this role, she is sure to further solidify her place as a trailblazer in the entertainment industry, demonstrating once again her unwavering dedication to her craft.