Nicole Kidman Took This Role Because It Was "A Place That I Haven't Been" – And She Had to Answer the Call

Nicole Kidman's career includes roles that have broken stereotypes and forced us to reconsider her: she worked with Stanley Kubrick on Eyes Wide Shut, with Lars von Trier on Dogville, and delighted families in the heartwarming Paddington.

However, there's one recent movie that she considers especially important – one for which she felt a deep calling. It's the bold, provocative drama Babygirl, directed by Halina Reijn.

Nicole Kidman Agreed to Make 'Babygirl' Because It Was Something She Haven't Seen On Screen

Kidman admits she was drawn to Babygirl's themes and its desire to bring a conversation about female sexuality to the forefront, a topic that is rarely openly discussed. She had long vowed to work with female directors, and this film marks another step in that direction.

Nicole Kidman said:

“From the minute I read it, I was like, ‘Yeah, this is a voice I haven't seen, this is a place that I haven't been, I don't think audiences have been.’

My character has reached a stage where she's got all this power, but she's not sure who she is, what she wants, what she desires, even though she seems to have it all. And I think that's really relatable.”

What Is 'Babygirl' About?

The movie revolves around Romy, a successful company CEO whose life appears perfect. However, behind the facade of being a devoted wife and a confident leader, she is a woman who struggles to find intimate satisfaction with her husband and is forced to secretly seek it alone.

Everything changes with the arrival of a young intern named Samuel. From the beginning, he acts out of character: he boldly looks her in the eye, asks uncomfortable questions, and seems to know her repressed desires.

Their relationship is a game in which the balance of power constantly shifts, turning the corporate hierarchy upside down.

'Babygirl' Is a Story About Vulnerability and Overcoming Stereotypes

Babygirl is more about psychology and liberation than it is about sex. Halina Reijn creates a safe space for exploring the most intimate and sensitive topics, and Kidman trusts her director completely.

Their collaboration results in intimate scenes that capture the main character's emotional outpourings and natural, living body.

Babygirl may not reveal anything new about female desire, but it conveys it as if we're hearing it for the first time – without judgment and with genuine tenderness and irony for its characters.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Babygirl'?

• Babygirl has 76% from critics and 48% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 5.7/10.

• On Letterboxd, Babygirl scored 2.7/5.0.

Where to Watch 'Babygirl'?

Babygirl is available to stream on HBO Max.