Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson star in Babygirl. Photo: Supplied.
Seductive, suggestive and with some surprisingly amusing bits, Babygirl artfully dismantles the conventions of a typical erotic thriller. The film is worth seeing for the performances alone, even if the story is not quite about a love that endures.
It stars Nicole Kidman (The Hours, Moulin Rouge!), who gives a riveting performance as Romy Mathis, a woman whose self-assurance and power in the boardroom’s formalities stand in stark contrast to her vulnerability.
Misting the lines between passion and authority, Mathis, a high-powered CEO of a robotic process automation company in New York City, enters a risky affair with a young man, Samuel (Harris Dickinson, Where the Crawdads Sing, The Iron Claw).
Mathis has it all — a high-flying job, a loving husband, Jacob Mathis, and their daughters (Vaughan Reilly and Esther McGregor as Nora and Isabel, respectively). She is dissatisfied with her sex life with Jacob, a theatre director, played by Antonio Banderas (Philadelphia, Assassins, Desperado).
If the inconsistencies are starting to overwhelm her, having to be friendly, assertive, accessible and balancing firmness and softness, there’s no evidence of it until Samuel’s arrival. He sets off a chain of feelings she’d previously suppressed.
Amusingly, what brings her excitement is the confident way he takes command of an aggressive dog – who’s gotten away from her owner – while on the way to work one day. Samuel has a prominent presence: making an impression is effortless, self-confidence is high, and the way in which he soothes the canine is noticeable … by just saying “Good girl”.
Samuel turns out to be an arrogant intern at Romy’s company and he picks her as his “mentor” through the company’s mentorship program. He propositions Romy during a private meeting; she objects, and then gives in. Initially ambivalent about the incident, the two later meet at a hotel. Romy expresses concern about her maybe taking advantage of him, and there is an age difference. Multiple rendezvous follow, their sexual affair gaining considerable intensity.
Babygirl is more than what appears on the surface: it sets up a persuasive premise, seemingly poised as a nonconformist in relation to gender, superiority and acquiescence. It’s an age-gap drama that lacks any menace, vulnerability or a threat to unconventional pursuits. It will attract those who enjoy intense, character-centric dramas, even though it fails to challenge conventional storytelling.
This sizzling drama, which became a box-office hit, is directed, written and co-produced by Halina Reijn (Instinct, Redlight). Babygirl premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival last August, where Kidman won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress. It was named one of the top-10 films of 2024 by the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures, where Kidman was also awarded the Best Actress prize.
Kidman adds layers to the character depicting the struggle within, wrestling between her need to be assertive and becoming more emotionally reliant on Samuel. Dickinson also delivers a consistent performance, showing a calm but powerful inner force that’s compelling. Nevertheless, the screenplay fails to expatiate Samuel’s background story or his motivations. His essence, his full potential, his complexity are diminished.
Featuring spectacular visuals, Babygirl is artfully lit, masterfully shot and cinematically sophisticated to intensify the emotional, intimate connection and the anxiety between the two co-leads. The carefully curated aesthetic choices imbue the relationship with a sense of style and elegance, enhancing its charm.
The narrative, however, feels disjointed from its visual presentation. The story’s progression is well trodden, but it doesn’t quite reach an unfeigned shocking level or feature insurrectionary moments. Contemplation leads to questions about undue influence, often through coercive behaviour. One of the significant imperfections is its reticence in exploring deeper layers.
The attraction between Romy and Samuel feels superficial, avoiding careful scrutiny of the psychological aspects of such a relationship. It broaches the subject, violating a social prohibition, but evades delving into the darker aspects, not quite revealing the multifaceted aspects of the desire between the co-stars.
In spite of these blemishes, it’s a compelling watch, primarily due to the charisma of the actors’ ability to draw us into their performances, and the provocative atmosphere that prevails!
Furthermore, Reijn explores the central ideas where the movie’s spotlight is on the emotional development of Romy to conquer her chilly disposition. Her affair with Samuel doesn’t negatively impact her family or her career, but promotes self-worth where she doesn’t have to give up what she’s achieved.
Babygirl, directed by Halina Reijn, is available on various streaming platforms
