About the film (courtesy of A24):
A high-powered CEO puts her career and family on the line when she begins a torrid affair with her much younger intern.
Nicole Kidman, a master of transformation, once again pushes boundaries in Babygirl, a provocative drama that explores the complexities of female desire and the blurred lines between power, vulnerability, and manipulation. Kidman stars as Romy, a high-powered CEO who embarks on a passionate affair with her much younger intern, Samuel (Harris Dickinson). This forbidden romance, fueled by intense chemistry and a shared hunger for something more, quickly spirals into a dangerous game of control and obsession.
Director Sophie Barthes crafts a film that is both alluring and unsettling. The initial attraction between Romy and Samuel is palpable, charged with a raw energy that crackles on screen. Kidman, as always, is captivating. She embodies Romy’s confidence and authority with ease, while also revealing the character’s underlying vulnerabilities and deep-seated loneliness. Dickinson, for his part, is a charismatic and compelling presence, convincingly portraying Samuel’s youthful ambition and gradual descent into a world of moral ambiguity.
However, Babygirl is far from a simple love story. As the affair intensifies, the power dynamics between Romy and Samuel become increasingly blurred. Romy, accustomed to being in control, finds herself drawn into a dangerous game of manipulation, while Samuel, initially drawn to Romy’s power and sophistication, begins to question her motives and his own role in the relationship.
Babygirl‘s exploration of these complex themes is both thought-provoking and unsettling. Barthes doesn’t shy away from the darker aspects of the characters’ desires and motivations, exposing the potential for exploitation and self-deception that lies beneath the surface of their passionate connection.
While the Babygirl‘s narrative is compelling, its true strength lies in its performances. Kidman delivers a nuanced and layered portrayal of a woman grappling with her own desires and vulnerabilities. She captures Romy’s internal conflict with remarkable subtlety, revealing the character’s conflicting emotions – her longing for connection, her fear of vulnerability, and her struggle to reconcile her personal and professional lives.
Babygirl is not a film that offers easy answers or tidy resolutions. It is a film that challenges viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about desire, power, and the complexities of human relationships. While its subject matter may not appeal to all audiences, those willing to engage with its challenging themes will be rewarded with a thought-provoking and ultimately unforgettable cinematic experience.
One last thought which serves as a performance nod. Antonio Banderas gives maybe the most electrifying performance of his career in under a two-minute span. Now, he’s got much more screen time than that, but there is a surreal raw intensity that is brought forward like I’ve never seen before. Banderas needs to be recognized for this.
Babygirl is releasing in theaters everywhere starting Wednesday, December 25th. With that being said, you’ll probably want to be mindful about making it a family affair…pun intended.
