Babygirl, a gripping and provocative erotic thriller about a high-powered female CEO who finds herself entangled in an illicit affair with a younger, male intern, holds far more complexity than its surface-level intrigue around sexual relationships. The film dives deep into themes of desire, secrets, marriage, truth, power, and consent, as highlighted by star Nicole Kidman during her press conference at the Venice Film Festival on Friday. Kidman expressed that the film is poised to spark extensive discussions in the forthcoming months.
Directed by Halina Reijn, “Babygirl” made its world premiere on Friday evening at the Lido, vying for accolades in the fiercely competitive festival before its scheduled theatrical release by A24 in December. The film boasts an impressive cast featuring Antonio Banderas as the husband of Kidman’s character and Harris Dickinson as the young intern, whose affair with the CEO sets off a series of dramatic and life-altering consequences.
“I hope it’s a very liberating story,” Kidman shared during the press conference. “It was told by a woman through her gaze … that’s what to me what made it so unique.” She exuded elegance as she arrived at the festival by water taxi, pausing for the awaiting photographers on the dock in the bright sunlight. Dressed in a striking black Bottega Veneta midi dress featuring short sleeves and a deep V-neck, Kidman made a bold fashion statement that perfectly complemented the daring themes of her film.
Kidman’s return to Venice is particularly significant, marking a 25-year milestone since she attended the festival for another boundary-pushing role in Stanley Kubrick’s “Eyes Wide Shut.” Despite her vast experience with taboos and challenging roles, Kidman admitted that she still felt a considerable amount of trepidation.
“I hope my hands aren’t shaking,” she confessed, highlighting her genuine anxiety despite her accomplished career. She further elaborated on how her passion for acting lies in the examination of the human condition, especially women’s experiences on screen. Kidman spoke candidly about her interest in exploring questions of what it means to be human and navigating the complexities of female desire and vulnerability.
Director Halina Reijn, known for her previous work in the youthful and anarchic slasher “Bodies Bodies Bodies,” explored female desire and existential crises in “Babygirl.” Reijn emphasized the importance of depicting the husband as both attractive and masculine, a role perfectly suited for Antonio Banderas. “It’s a cautionary tale about what happens when you suppress your own desires,” Reijn explained.
. Her vision of the film drew on a love for erotic thrillers from the 1980s and 90s, but with a modern twist of refusing to punish the female protagonist.
“I don’t want any of my characters to be punished,” Reijn stated. “I just want them to be.” This ethos guided her approach to storytelling, creating characters who face real-world dilemmas without moralizing or forceful consequences.
Kidman and Dickinson developed their on-screen chemistry through thorough rehearsals in New York, preparing intensively given the quick filming schedule. They also worked closely with an intimacy coordinator to navigate the more explicit scenes responsibly and authentically.
“Babygirl” also bravely examines generational perspectives on intimacy and sexuality, juxtaposing the experiences of Kidman and Banderas’s characters with those of the younger lovers played by Dickinson and actor Sophie Wilde. “It was four of us together on a journey and it was really, really intimate,” Kidman remarked on their collaborative effort. She noted the mutual care and gentleness the cast maintained towards each other throughout the filming process.
Harris Dickinson expressed his appreciation for the film’s nuanced approach to exploring a young man’s confusion about self-conduct, particularly regarding sex and relationships. He praised Reijn for her readiness to dissect and challenge the subtleties of behavior both on and off-screen. “Halina was always ready to dissect and challenge that and challenge the nuance of the behavior. That opened up a whole new world of the film,” Dickinson reflected.
On the red carpet, Antonio Banderas engaged warmly with fans, signing autographs, while Nicole Kidman took a moment to speak with a man in a hospital bed, showing her characteristically generous spirit. The Venice crowd warmly welcomed her with a standing ovation as the lights dimmed for the film’s premiere.
In a fierce competition for the festival’s top honors, “Babygirl” is pitted against other strong contenders, including Maria and the yet-to-premiere “The Room Next Door,” “Queer,” and “Joker: Folie à Deux.” The festival’s winners will be revealed on September 7, adding further anticipation to the already electric atmosphere.
