Wikipedia

Babygirl

For other uses, see Baby Girl (disambiguation).

Babygirl is a 2024 American erotic thriller film written, directed, and co-produced by Halina Reijn. It stars Nicole Kidman, Harris Dickinson, Sophie Wilde, and Antonio Banderas.

Babygirl
Theatrical release poster
Directed byHalina Reijn
Written byHalina Reijn[1]
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyJasper Wolf[2]
Edited byMatthew Hannam[3]
Music byCristobal Tapia de Veer[2]
Production
companies
Distributed byA24
Release dates
  • August 30, 2024 (2024-08-30) (Venice)
  • December 25, 2024 (2024-12-25) (United States)
Running time
114 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The film debuted on August 30, 2024, at the 81st Venice International Film Festival, where Kidman won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress.[4] Its North American premiere followed at the 49th Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2024, with a U.S. theatrical release by A24 scheduled for December 25, 2024.

Premise

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The film explores the complexities of power dynamics and sexuality within a professional setting as a high-ranking CEO (Nicole Kidman) embarks on a forbidden romance with a captivating intern (Harris Dickinson), who is significantly younger.[5][6]

Cast

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Production

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Development

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It was announced in November 2023 that David Hinojosa of 2AM was going to produce the project alongside Halina Reijn of Man Up Films, with A24 financing the project. Julia Oh, Zach Nutman, and Christine D'Souza Gelb of 2AM served as executive producers.[9] It was later revealed that Julia Oh would take on the producer role, contrary to earlier reports that she would serve as an executive producer.[10] In addition to her role as producer, Halina Reijn directed the film from a screenplay she wrote.[11][12] The project marked Reijn's second English-language feature film, both produced by A24.[13][14]

The film's workplace dynamics were influenced by cinematic elements from Indecent Proposal and Basic Instinct.[15][16] The affair in the film was set in an American workplace because the stricter hierarchy and rules in the U.S. compared to Europe was felt by the filmmaker to make such a relationship feel even more forbidden and taboo.[17]

Reijn added that her interest in exploring women's relationships with their bodies was a key motivator for making this movie.[18][19] She also credited her passion for the erotic thrillers of the 1980s and 1990s, particularly those by directors Paul Verhoeven and Adrian Lyne, as the inspirational driving force behind her decision to make this film.[20][21] Lizzie Talbot was hired as the intimacy coordinator.[22]

Casting

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In November 2023, Nicole Kidman, Harris Dickinson, Antonio Banderas, Sophie Wilde, and Jean Reno were announced as part of the cast.[23][24] Other cast members included John Cenatiempo, Vaughan Reilly, Victor Slezak, Anoop Desai, and Maxwell Whittington-Cooper.[8] Esther McGregor was reported to star.[25]

Filming

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Principal photography began in December 2023 in New York City,[26][27] and wrapped in February 2024.[28]

Release

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Halina Reijn during the presentation of the film at the Venice International Film Festival

Babygirl premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on August 30, 2024.[29][30][31] Following this, it was also premiered at the 49th Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2024.[32][3] The film was initially set for a release in the United States and Canada on December 20, 2024,[33] but the date was later shifted to December 25, 2024, for its theatrical debut.[34][35]

Reception

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Critical response

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On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 90% of 52 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.7/10. The website's consensus reads: "Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson memorably smolder together in Babygirl, with writer-director Halina Reijn's clinical gaze keeping this sexually frank thriller more provocative than prurient."[36] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 82 out of 100, based on 23 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[37]

Damon Wise of Deadline Hollywood praised the performance of Kidman as "[she] really goes the distance, imbuing Romy with a psychological vulnerability that is missing from the film it most obvious sounds like (Fifty Shades of Grey) and presenting a unique reversal of the film it most obviously looks like (Secretary)." He also mentioned Dickinson's performance as "an inspired piece of casting, manifesting like a monster from the id with his dorky, knife-and-fork haircut and clothes that he appears to have put on with a shovel."[38] Nicholas Barber of the BBC lauded Reijn's gritty, indie-style direction in Babygirl, highlighting how she avoids the usual Hollywood neo-noir gloss, choosing instead to expose the raw, unpolished truth behind moments like the intern's arrival at the family's retreat or the co-worker's discovery of the affair. Barber also praised Kidman for delivering a bold and captivating performance, describing it as one of her most daring and impactful in years.[39]

David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter called out the film as "sexy, dark and unpredictable" and praised the cast performance. He mentioned Dickinson was "a magnetic screen presence", Kidman was "in spectacular form, swinging from outrage to fear to ravenously lustful consent", Wilde brought "sly notes of humor".[40] Richard Lawson of Vanity Fair praised the overall film as "Reijn creates the sense that we are watching test subjects through a two-way mirror. This doesn’t necessarily make the proceedings any less interesting. But one does maybe crave a bit more heat from a movie that is so willing to tackle intimate matters."[41]

In a more critical review, Xan Brooks of The Guardian stated, "for all its excited carnality and seesawing power struggles, the film’s thrills feel machine-tooled and vacuum-packed. Babygirl rolls off the track looking almost as neat and anonymous as a box from Tensile’s upstate delivery warehouse." However, he commended Kidman's "bright, bold performance" as it "carries a top-note of distress, as though she is not entirely convinced by everything she’s signed up for."[42] On the contrary, Owen Gleiberman of Variety praised the overall film as "a shrewdly honest and entertaining movie about a flagrantly 'wrong' sadomasochistic affair" and he termed Kidman's performance "fearless".[43]

Robbie Collin of The Telegraph praised the film, noting that it "is sharp enough – and hot enough." He highlighted Nicole Kidman's performance as "ferociously good, convincing utterly as this formerly level-headed careerist whose deeply buried, long-denied appetites are simultaneously proving her making and downfall."[44] Alison Willmore of Vulture described the film as "a self-love story," emphasizing that part of its message is about the importance of allowing oneself to be vulnerable and to "let yourself be small for a while."[45] Glenn Kenny of RogerEbert.com praised Kidman's performance but the film itself did not convince him "Kidman has garnered kudos for an uninhibited and daring performance, but when has she ever shied away from uninhibited and daring performances? I love to see them always, but I love to see them even more in good movies."[46] Kevin Maher of The Times mentioned that "...like the best BDSM experiences (they say), is slightly contrived but very satisfying."[47]

Radhika Seth of Vogue acknowledged that the film isn't for everyone, dividing critics and even premiere attendees. However, she praised Antonio Banderas, Nicole Kidman, Halina Reijn, and Cristobal Tapia de Veer for their standout contributions to the film.[48] Ben Croll of TheWrap said that despite hints at deeper themes and narratives, the film stands out for its surprising absence of cynicism.[49] Martin Tsai of Collider noted that while the film does elicit some laughs, whether intentional or not, it ultimately feels more demeaning for Nicole Kidman than Dogville. He pointed out that Catherine Breillat had already addressed similar themes more skillfully in Last Summer, and criticized Reijn for lacking the nuance needed to elevate the film into something more meaningful.[50]

Accolades

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Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Venice International Film Festival September 7, 2024 Golden Lion Halina Reijn Nominated [51][52]
Volpi Cup for Best Actress Nicole Kidman Won
Gotham Awards December 2, 2024 Best Feature Halina Reijn, David Hinojosa, and Julia Oh Pending [53]
Outstanding Lead Performance Nicole Kidman Pending
Palm Springs International Film Festival January 3, 2025 International Star Award Won [54]
Directors to Watch Halina Reijn Won [55]
AARP Movies for Grownups Awards January 11, 2025 Best Actress Nicole Kidman Pending [56]
Santa Barbara International Film Festival February 9, 2025 Virtuoso Award Harris Dickinson Won [57]

References

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  1. ^ "Babygirl". Writers Guild of America West. July 15, 2024. Archived from the original on July 15, 2024. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Bergeson, Samantha (July 23, 2024). "Nicole Kidman Seduces Harris Dickinson in A24's Erotic Thriller 'Babygirl' — First Look". IndieWire. Archived from the original on July 23, 2024. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Lee, Anita (August 13, 2024). "Babygirl". tiff.net. Archived from the original on August 13, 2024. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  4. ^ Wiseman, Andreas; Tartaglione, Nancy (September 7, 2024). "Venice Winners: Pedro Almodóvar's 'The Room Next Door' Wins The Golden Lion; Also Wins For Nicole Kidman, Brady Corbet, 'I'm Still Here' & More". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 7, 2024. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  5. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (November 21, 2023). "Nicole Kidman, Antonio Banderas Join A24's Erotic Thriller 'Babygirl'". Variety. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  6. ^ Fuster, Jeremy (November 21, 2023). "Nicole Kidman, Antonio Banderas to Star in A24 Erotic Thriller 'Babygirl'". TheWrap. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  7. ^ "Babygirl". A24 Publicity. August 26, 2024. Archived from the original on August 26, 2024. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  8. ^ a b c d e Melissa, Billie (February 9, 2024). "Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson Spotted on Set of New A24 Erotic Thriller". Men's Journal. Archived from the original on February 9, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  9. ^ Lattanzio, Ryan (November 21, 2023). "Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson Set for A24 Erotic Thriller from 'Bodies Bodies Bodies' Director Halina Reijn". IndieWire. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  10. ^ Gardner, Chris; Roxborough, Scott (August 30, 2024). "Nicole Kidman Steamy Pic 'Babygirl' Wows Venice Film Festival Crowd at World Premiere". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  11. ^ Booth, Ned (November 21, 2023). "'Babygirl': Nicole Kidman, Harris Dickinson, Antonio Banderas & More To Star In 'Bodies Bodies Bodies' Director's A24 Erotic Thriller". The Playlist. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
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  44. ^ Collin, Robbie (August 30, 2024). "Babygirl: Nicole Kidman's 21st-century Fatal Attraction is a complete knockout". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  45. ^ Willmore, Alison (August 30, 2024). "Babygirl Might Just Be The Year's Hottest Movie". Vulture. Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  46. ^ Kenny, Glenn (September 1, 2024). "Venice Film Festival 2024: Babygirl, The Order, The Brutalist, I'm Still Here". RogerEbert.com. Archived from the original on September 1, 2024. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
  47. ^ Maher, Kevin (August 30, 2024). "Babygirl review — Nicole Kidman stuns as a botoxed CEO in a steamy thriller". The Times. Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
  48. ^ Seth, Radhika (September 3, 2024). "Nicole Kidman's Sexy, Prickly Babygirl Is Utterly Thrilling". Vogue. Archived from the original on September 2, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  49. ^ Croll, Ben (August 30, 2024). "'Babygirl' Review: Nicole Kidman Goes Dom-Com for Safe, Commercial Kink". TheWrap. Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  50. ^ Tsai, Martin (August 30, 2024). "'Babygirl' Review: Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson Drama Is No 'May December' Venice 2024". Collider. Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
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  54. ^ McGovern, Joe (November 15, 2024). "Nicole Kidman to Receive Palm Springs Film Festival's International Star Award". TheWrap. Archived from the original on November 15, 2024. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  55. ^ Gilchrist, Todd (November 19, 2024). "'The Substance,' 'The Piano Lesson,' 'Babygirl' Filmmakers Selected for Variety's 2025 Directors to Watch". Variety. Archived from the original on November 25, 2024. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  56. ^ Lewis, Hilary (November 20, 2024). "Movies for Grownups Awards: 'Conclave' Leads With 6 Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 20, 2024. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  57. ^ Feinberg, Scott (November 19, 2024). "Santa Barbara Film Fest: Mikey Madison, Ariana Grande and Selena Gomez Among Eight Tapped for Virtuoso Award". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 19, 2024. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
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