This Wednesday, January 15, Babygirl hits theaters. Directed by Halina Reijn, the film stars Nicole Kidman as Romy, a renowned CEO who embarks on a passionate affair with a young intern. Balancing power and desire, the movie boldly explores feminine longing.
In Babygirl, Halina Reijn reinvents the erotic thriller with a modern and unapologetically bold approach. Anchored by a masterful performance from Nicole Kidman, the film tells the story of Romy, a powerful woman juggling her roles as a CEO and a mother. Married to a devoted husband (played by Antonio Banderas), she becomes entangled in an extramarital relationship with Samuel, an intern portrayed by Harris Dickinson. By flipping traditional dynamics of power and domination, Reijn delves into the complexities of female desire.
A bold and empowering female perspective
Halina Reijn delivers, unsurprisingly, a daring female gaze that transcends expected clichés. While Babygirl could have easily fallen into the pitfalls of a typical toxic romance akin to Fifty Shades of Grey, the film skillfully avoids such missteps. By focusing on Romy’s paradoxes, the director genuinely interrogates the intricacies of womanhood.
Visually, the film frequently centers on Romy’s face, capturing each of her emotions with rare intensity. The camera dares to linger in close-ups, with Nicole Kidman fully embracing her image and body.
A tense love triangle
Opposite a compelling Nicole Kidman, we find Antonio Banderas and Harris Dickinson as two drastically different male counterparts. On one side is the loving husband, and on the other, the enigmatic lover—both orbit around Romy while allowing the narrative to focus on her personal evolution. This intricate dynamic further underscores themes of female emancipation.
A new take on the erotic thriller
With Babygirl, Halina Reijn redefines the conventions of the erotic thriller, turning this often-criticized genre into a vehicle for social and feminist commentary. More than just a film about desire, it’s a nuanced portrait of a woman grappling with her contradictions. Nicole Kidman delivers an intense and moving performance that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression.
Babygirl, directed by Halina Reijn and starring Nicole Kidman, Harris Dickinson, and Antonio Banderas, is now playing in theaters as of January 15, 2025.
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