Nicole Kidman’s Risky Role in A24’s “Babygirl”
Nicole Kidman delivers a career-defining performance in A24’s erotic thriller, *Babygirl*, a departure from her previous roles. The film, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival between August 28th and September 7th, 2024, received a theatrical release on December 25th, 2024, and garnered Kidman a Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama in 2025.
*Babygirl* follows a high-powered CEO, played by Kidman, who jeopardizes her career and family by embarking on a passionate affair with her much younger intern, Samuel, portrayed by Harris Dickinson. Antonio Banderas also stars as Jacob, adding another layer to the complex narrative. Kidman’s character, Romy, finds herself in a deeply challenging and emotionally raw situation, pushing the boundaries of her personal and professional life.
The film’s intense nature deeply impacted Kidman. In an interview with *Vanity Fair* published on August 26th, 2024, she described the experience as the most exposing of her career, stating, “I’ve made some films that are pretty exposing, but not like this. It left me ragged.” She detailed feelings of vulnerability, confessing, “At some point I was like, ‘I don’t want to be touched. I don’t want to do this anymore,’ but at the same time, I was compelled to do it.” Kidman emphasized the intense emotional toll, describing a feeling of profound exposure “as an actor, as a woman [and] as a human being.” The actress even recalled needing a period of recovery after filming, stating, “I had to go in and go out like, ‘I need to put my protection back on.’”
However, Kidman praised director Halina Reijn for creating a safe and supportive environment on set. She explained, “Halina would hold me, and I would hold her because it was just very confronting to me… being able to talk unbelievably honestly and graphically — and that’s woman-to-woman, as though you are sitting on your bed and talking to your sister or your best friend. That’s incredibly safe.” This collaborative relationship, built on trust and mutual support, appears to have been crucial in navigating the film’s demanding emotional landscape.
*Babygirl* is currently playing in theaters, with a streaming release date yet to be announced.