Nicole Kidman is set to watch her new movie, Babygirl, but she’s not entirely sure how she’ll handle it yet. The film is premiering at the Venice International Film Festival on August 30, but Kidman is holding off for now. “There’s a part of me thinking, ‘This was made for the big screen and to be seen with an audience,’” she told Vanity Fair on August 26. “But then I’m like, ‘That’s a high-wire act. I’m not sure I have that much bravery.’”
It’s surprising to hear this from the actress who portrayed suicidal Virginia Woolf in The Hours, a woman abused by an entire town in Dogville, and a mother who believes her dead husband is reincarnated as a 10-year-old boy in Birth—all within three intense years. Kidman knows a thing or two about diving into challenging roles. Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about Babygirl, the film so intense that even Nicole Kidman is hesitant to watch it.
What’s this Scandalous Movie About?
Babygirl is written and directed by Halina Reijn (Bodies Bodies Bodies), with Kidman playing Romy, an executive married to a theater director. The plot thickens as Romy enters a psychosexual relationship with her much younger intern, exploring the complexities of power dynamics and kinks as the movie progresses, with the intern taking on a dominant role.
What Makes it So Sordid?
Beyond the controversial age-gap relationship, Babygirl pushed Kidman into emotionally vulnerable territories, even for someone with her intense filmography. “It left me ragged,” Kidman revealed to Vanity Fair. “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 continue.” She also admitted that she’s not used to sharing this level of intimacy with an audience, adding, “This is something you do and hide in your home videos. It’s not something you typically show to the world.”
Who Else is in It?
Kidman stars alongside two leading men: Antonio Banderas plays her husband, and Harris Dickinson (Triangle of Sadness) takes on the role of her young intern.
When is it Releasing?
While Babygirl premieres in Venice on August 30 and will be featured at TIFF, the rest of us can look forward to its theatrical release on December 25—just in time for a provocative Christmas viewing experience.
For more celebrity news and updates, stay tuned!