Washington [US], December 6 : Nicole Kidman is stepping into one of the most intriguing roles of her career in the upcoming film Babygirl, where she portrays Romy, a powerful CEO on a journey of self-discovery and sexual exploration. Reflecting on the role, Kidman revealed she was immediately captivated when director Halina Reijn first mentioned the film’s title. “I love the title. So, I was like, ‘Oh! I’d like to be a Babygirl!'” she said in an interview with Deadline.
After reading the script, Kidman described herself as “completely hypnotized” by the film’s modern portrayal of women’s sexuality and its exploration of desire and authenticity. Babygirl, which hits theaters on December 25, has already garnered considerable attention, earning Kidman the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival and the National Board of Review’s NBR Award for Best Actress.
The film follows Romy, a high-powered CEO of a packaging company, who utilizes an AI system she created. Despite her successful life, including an attractive husband (Antonio Banderas), two teenage daughters, and a luxurious lifestyle, Romy grapples with her identity and desires. Her quest for sexual fulfillment leads to an affair with Samuel (Harris Dickinson), a young intern who seeks her mentorship. Their evolving relationship challenges conventional gender dynamics in erotic thrillers.
Kidman noted that Babygirl is unusual in its focus on a female protagonist, emphasizing, “It’s rare to see a female lead where only her story is followed. You don’t see anybody else’s perspective.” She also pointed out that the film avoids the typical trope of punishing women for their desires, instead portraying a narrative of exploration and empowerment.
“Halina is fully committed to portraying the female journey, but not in a torturous way,” Kidman explained. “It’s about her exploration and her journey.” The film reimagines the erotic thriller genre, traditionally told from a male perspective, through the female gaze, an aspect that particularly resonated with Kidman. Reijn, inspired by iconic 1980s and ’90s erotic thrillers like Fatal Attraction and Basic Instinct, wanted to create a thriller from a female perspective.
Reflecting on her experience with the role, Kidman said, “This came out of nowhere, and I’ve never experienced anything like it—probably never will again.” She praised Reijn for her obsessive dedication to the project, noting, “She’s the writer and the director, which is fantastic. She works seven days a week, 24/7. I love her.”
Kidman’s collaboration with Reijn aligns with her long-standing commitment to working with female directors and writers. Beyond Babygirl, Kidman has worked with several women directors, including Mimi Cave for Welcome to Holland and Lulu Wang for the limited drama Expats.