# Babygirl

Babygirl is a 2024 erotic thriller film written, directed, and produced by Halina Reijn. Babygirl stars Nicole Kidman as a high-powered CEO who puts her career and family on the line when she begins an affair with a much younger intern (Harris Dickinson). Sophie Wilde and Antonio Banderas also star.
Babygirl premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on August 30, 2024, where Kidman won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress, followed by a premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2024, with a wide theatrical release by A24 on December 25, 2024. It received positive reviews and became a box office success grossing $64.1 million on a $20 million budget. It was named one of the top ten films of 2024 by the National Board of Review, where Kidman was also awarded the Best Actress prize.

## Plot

Romy Mathis, the CEO of a robotic process automation company in New York City, is dissatisfied with her sex life with her husband, Jacob, a theater director. While on the way to work one day, she is almost mauled by a dog until a young man stops and calms it down. That young man, Samuel, turns out to be an intern at Romy's company and picks Romy as his "mentor" through the company's mentorship program. Samuel propositions Romy during a private meeting; she objects, then gives in and kisses him. Initially conflicted about the incident, the two later meet at a hotel. Romy expresses concern that she may be taking advantage of Samuel due to their power difference, but Samuel explains to her that he is the one with the power, as he could get her fired "with one phone call". Romy comes to an intense orgasm at the hotel in dominance and submission dynamic with Samuel the dominant partner; however, Romy sobs with deep conflict about her enjoyment of this experience after the orgasm. The two continue to meet at multiple rendezvous, their sexual affair gaining considerable intensity.
Samuel continues to push boundaries. In one instance, he appears at Romy and Jacob's country home, ingratiating himself with the entire family, under the pretense of returning Romy's laptop, which she left at the office. Feeling disrespected, Romy lashes out at Samuel, telling him that her family is everything to her and to never show up at her home again. The two argue and Samuel says he will request a transfer to a different department, which Romy objects as she fears it will only stir questions about her role in his transfer request. Unable to handle the stress, Romy tells her husband that she is dissatisfied with their sex life and has never experienced an orgasm with him. Desperate, Romy meets with Samuel to convince him to continue their affair, but only after she confirms her submission to Samuel. Soon afterward, Samuel appears uninvited at her house again for her daughter's birthday party. He attends with Esme, Romy's secretary, whom he is dating.
Esme informs Romy that she knows about her affair with Samuel. She asks Romy to end the affair, make structural changes to the company, and promote Esme to prevent her from coming forward with what she knows. Romy later confesses the affair to Jacob, albeit describing it as a stranger and a one-night stand. She desperately reaches out to Jacob, expressing her intense sexual needs, but Jacob is more upset about the affair. Jacob walks into their country house sometime later to find Romy and Samuel together. He confronts Samuel in a fistfight but then suffers a panic attack, with Samuel coming to his aid before finally leaving. After being encouraged by her teenage daughter Isabel, Romy and Jacob decide to rekindle their marriage and sex life.
A board member informs Romy that Samuel has taken a new job in Japan. He asks if she had anything to do with Samuel leaving, seemingly implying he knows about the affair, and invites her to his house when he is alone. Disgusted, Romy firmly states that she is unafraid of him and tells him to leave her office.
In the final scene, Romy and Jacob are at home, having restarted their relationship. Together, they reenact the type of rough sex that Samuel introduced to Romy, although she is only able to orgasm by imagining Samuel playing with the dog in the hotel room that both Romy and Samuel shared earlier in the film.

## Cast

* Nicole Kidman as Romy Mathis, a CEO
* Harris Dickinson as Samuel, Romy's intern
* Antonio Banderas as Jacob Mathis, Romy's husband
* Sophie Wilde as Esme Smith, Romy's assistant
* Esther McGregor as Isabel Mathis, Romy and Jacob's teenage daughter
* Vaughan Reilly as Nora Mathis, Romy and Jacob's younger daughter
* Victor Slezak as Mr. Missel, a board member
* Leslie Silva as Hazel, an executive
* Gaite Jansen as Hedda / Scarlett
* Robert Farrior as Brack / Stephen
* Bartley Booz as Tom
* Anoop Desai as Robert
* Dolly Wells as Therapist
* Maxwell Whittington-Cooper as Josh

## Production
### Development

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. 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. In addition to her role as producer, Halina Reijn directed the film from a screenplay she wrote. The project marked Reijn's second English-language feature film, both produced by A24.
The original plan was to make a summer movie; however, it was changed to Christmas due to the impact of the 2023 WGA strike and 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike on the film's schedule. The film's workplace dynamics were influenced by cinematic elements from Indecent Proposal and Basic Instinct. 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.
Reijn was inspired to write the script after hearing about a woman who had never experienced an orgasm throughout her 25-year marriage. She added that her interest in exploring women's relationships with their bodies was a key motivator for making this movie. 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. Lizzy Talbot was hired as the intimacy coordinator.
The film features a significant 24-year age gap between its lead characters, with Romy written as 49 and Samuel as 25. Interestingly, the real-life age difference between Nicole Kidman (56 during filming) and Harris Dickinson (27) was even greater. Reijn emphasized the importance of normalizing age gaps in relationships, particularly when women are the older partners, stating, "It should completely be normalized that the age gaps switch and that women have different relationships. We're not trapped in a box anymore." Dickinson noted that the limited pre-filming interaction between him and Kidman ultimately benefited the project, as it allowed them to build trust and work together with kindness, enhancing the authenticity of their on-screen dynamic.
Kidman and Reijn built a strong bond while preparing for the film in New York, fostering trust and openness. They worked closely, revising scenes and sharing personal stories, creating a collaborative, intimate environment. Kidman credits Reijn's supportive approach for helping her embrace the emotional and physical vulnerability required for the role.

### Casting

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

### Filming

Principal photography began in December 2023 in New York City, and wrapped in February 2024.

### Music

On December 2, 2024, Sky Ferreira announced the release of "Leash", a song written and co-produced by her for the soundtrack of the film. The film score was composed by Cristobal Tapia de Veer and was released digitally on December 25, 2024, through A24 Music.
The film features INXS's 1988 single "Never Tear Us Apart". A24 struggled to secure the rights to the track, which Reijn complained about to Kidman, who personally secured the rights within "a couple of days".

## Release
### Theatrical

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

### Home media

Babygirl was released in the United States on VOD on January 28, 2025. The film is set to be released on Max on April 25, 2025.

## Reception
### Box office

On January 30, 2025, A24 announced that Babygirl had exceeded $50 million in global box office revenue, securing its place among the studio's top ten highest-grossing films worldwide. As of March 16, 2025, Babygirl has grossed $28.1 million in the United States and Canada, and $35.9 million in other territories, for a total of $64.1 million worldwide. The film's break-even point was reported around $50 million.
In the United States and Canada, Babygirl was released alongside Nosferatu, A Complete Unknown, and The Fire Inside, and was projected to gross around $7 million from 2,115 theaters in its five-day opening weekend. The film made $1.5 million on its first day and then $1.3 million on its second. It went on to debut to $4.4 million in its opening weekend (and a total of $7.3 million over the five days), finishing in seventh. It then made $1.4 million on the first day of 2025, for a total of $10.5 million over its first eight days of release. The film enjoyed a stronghold in its second weekend, dropping just 0.5% to $4.5 million. It fell by 31% and earned $3.1 million, finishing eighth in its third weekend with a reduction in theaters. The film dropped only 36% and earned a solid $1.9 million, finishing eleventh in the fourth weekend despite losing 427 theaters and playing across just 1,460 theaters. It managed to earn $812.3k on the fifth weekend with only 777 theaters, finishing fourteenth. The film grossed $330.8k in 308 theaters in its sixth weekend, finishing twentieth. The film earned $118k on 152 screens on the seventh weekend, placing twenty-sixth. The film had a rerelease date on Valentine day with more theaters than previous week (262 screens), earning $92.7k on the eighth weekend, placing twenty-fifth. It scored $13.1k on the ninth weekend, placing thirty-eighth with only 25 theaters.
In the U.K. and Ireland, where the film was released on January 10, 2025, it made $5.1 million from January 3–February 6, 2025, and placed eighth. The film achieved strong performance in international markets, with notable success in countries such as Ukraine, the Netherlands, Denmark, Poland, Romania, France, Spain, Belgium, and Luxembourg.

### Home media performance

In its debut week on PVOD in the U.S., the film was the top-rented title, placing third on iTunes and sixth on Fandango. It placed eighth on iTunes for the second week.

### Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 76% of 252 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.9/10. 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." Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 79 out of 100, based on 55 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews. Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B–" on an A+ to F scale, while those surveyed by PostTrak gave it a 67% overall positive score, with 38% saying they would "definitely recommend" it.
Michelle Goldberg of The New York Times observed that "On the cusp of our terrible new era, it felt, for all its darkness and perversity, like an artifact of a more optimistic moment, when equality seemed close enough at hand that the orgasm gap between men and women – something the movie's director, Halina Reijn, often talks about in interviews – could be a subject of serious concern." 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." 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.
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". 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."
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 [the fictional tech company] 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." In contrast, 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". He later concluded that Kidman had the best performance by a female actor in 2024.
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." 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." 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." Kevin Maher of The Times mentioned that "...like the best BDSM experiences (they say), is slightly contrived but very satisfying."
Radhika Seth of Vogue acknowledged that the film is not 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. Ben Croll of TheWrap said that despite hints at deeper themes and narratives, the film stands out for its surprising absence of cynicism. 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.
Stephanie Zacharek of Time called out that this was one of Kidman's finest performances in a long career of more than 40 years, while Carla Meyer of Los Angeles Times considered Kidman's performance was an Oscar's worthy. Concurred with that, Peter Travers of ABC News mentioned that "Kidman's daring is now the stuff of legend". Nick Schager of The Daily Beast mentioned that the film featured a standout performance from Kidman as a woman on a daring quest for self-discovery and fulfillment, and delivered a bold and entertaining cinematic jolt. Richard Roeper of Chicago Sun-Times praised Banderas's performance as he served as a steady presence, with a standout moment later in the story showcasing his formidable acting prowess.

### Accolades

The film appeared on multiple filmmakers, critics and editors' lists of the best films of 2024, including:
* 1st – Time
* 3rd – Vincent Perella of IndieWire
* 4th – Tim Dams of Screen Daily
* 4th – Ben Dalton of Screen Daily
* 7th – Jon Frosch of The Hollywood Reporter
* 8th – Owen Gleiberman of Variety
* 8th – Marshall Shaffer of Slant Magazine
* 8th – Harper's Bazaar
* 9th – John Waters
* 9th – Nicholas Barber and Caryn James of BBC
* 10th – Dazed
* Top 10 film (listed alphabetically) – David Ehrlich of IndieWire
* Top 10 film (listed alphabetically) – Veronica Flores of IndieWire
* Top 10 film – National Post
* 20th – Screen Rant
* 22th – Glamour
* 29th – IndieWire
* One of the best movies of 2024 – Vogue
* One of the best movies of 2024 – Elle
* One of the best movies of 2024 – The Economist
The film score was also on the shortlist for 2024 Academy Award for Best Original Score. Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson were recognized in the 2024 BAFTA Longlists for Best Actress in a Leading Role and Best Actor in a Supporting Role, respectively. Kidman and Dickinson were also named one of the best performances in film in 2024 by Rolling Stone and IndieWire, respectively.

### Awards and nominations

| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result |
| Venice International Film Festival | September 7, 2024 | Golden Lion | Halina Reijn | Nominated |
| Venice International Film Festival | September 7, 2024 | Volpi Cup for Best Actress | Nicole Kidman | Won |
| Gotham Awards | December 2, 2024 | Best Feature | Halina Reijn, David Hinojosa, and Julia Oh | Nominated |
| Gotham Awards | December 2, 2024 | Outstanding Lead Performance | Nicole Kidman | Nominated |
| National Board of Review Awards | December 4, 2024 | Best Actress | Nicole Kidman | Won |
| National Board of Review Awards | December 4, 2024 | Top Ten Films | Babygirl | Won |
| Michigan Movie Critics Guild | December 9, 2024 | Best Actress | Nicole Kidman | Nominated |
| Phoenix Critics Circle | December 12, 2024 | Best Actress | Nicole Kidman | Nominated |
| New York Film Critics Online | December 16, 2024 | Best Actress | Nicole Kidman | Nominated |
| IndieWire Critics Poll | December 16, 2024 | Best Performance | Nicole Kidman | 6th place |
| Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association | December 18, 2024 | Best Actress | Nicole Kidman | 5th place |
| Florida Film Critics Circle | December 20, 2024 | Best Actress | Nicole Kidman | Nominated |
| Palm Springs International Film Festival | January 3, 2025 | International Star Award | Nicole Kidman | Won |
| Palm Springs International Film Festival | January 3, 2025 | Directors to Watch | Halina Reijn | Won |
| Golden Globe Awards | January 5, 2025 | Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama | Nicole Kidman | Nominated |
| Austin Film Critics Association | January 6, 2025 | Best Actress | Nicole Kidman | Nominated |
| Music City Film Critics Association | January 10, 2025 | Best Actress | Nicole Kidman | Nominated |
| AARP Movies for Grownups Awards | January 11, 2025 | Best Actress | Nicole Kidman | Nominated |
| North Dakota Film Society | January 13, 2025 | Best Actress | Nicole Kidman | Nominated |
| Portland Critics Association | January 14, 2025 | Best Actress | Nicole Kidman | Nominated |
| Pittsburgh Film Critics Association | January 15, 2025 | Best Score | Cristobal Tapia de Veer | Runner-up |
| Women Film Critics Circle | January 15, 2025 | Best Actress | Nicole Kidman | Nominated |
| Satellite Awards | January 26, 2025 | Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama | Nicole Kidman | Nominated |
| Annual Girls On Film Awards | January 26, 2025 | Female Orgasm on Screen Sponsored by Intimacy on Set | Nicole Kidman | Won |
| London Film Critics' Circle | February 2, 2025 | Actress of the Year | Nicole Kidman | Nominated |
| AACTA International Awards | February 7, 2025 | Best Actress | Nicole Kidman | Won |
| International Cinephile Society | February 9, 2025 | Best Actress | Nicole Kidman | Nominated |
| Santa Barbara International Film Festival | February 9, 2025 | Virtuoso Award | Harris Dickinson | Won |
| Dorian Awards | February 13, 2025 | Film Performance of the Year | Nicole Kidman | Nominated |

## Cultural impact

The film gained attention in the U.S. for its milk scene and the resurgence of George Michael's "Father Figure". Kidman humorously recreated the milk scene during her acceptance speech for Best Actress at the National Board of Review Awards. At the 2025 Critics Choice Awards, Chelsea Handler and Ralph Fiennes brought a touch of humor and homage to the ceremony by also recreating the milk-scene moment. Many fans of the film recreated moments on social media such as Dickinson dancing to George Michael's "Father Figure", or Kidman being commanded to stand in the corner before lying on the floor.
Initially popular with older women, its audience has expanded to nearly equal gender representation. In Spain, it has sparked discussions on mature female representation, while in Ukraine and Denmark, mental health professionals use it to explore female sexuality and aging. The film offered a fresh perspective, standing out amidst the wave of #MeToo-themed content that has dominated recent years. The film added to the evolving portrayal of older women in cinema, challenging the stereotypical "bitter older woman" trope. This shift aligned with a broader trend in recent films that focus on characters over 40, offering more nuanced and diverse representations.