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Should we (re)watch the erotical drama Babygirl?
Shown at Venice Festival (where the movie has been rewarded a Volpi Cup), Babygirl, most recent Halina Reijn’s movie (Bodies, Bodies, Bodies) shows Nicole Kidman more sensual than ever in an intriguing plot unraveling slowly. But, is this movie worth it after earning hype at cinema festivals and airing on Canal+ on September 9th, 2025 ?
by Olivier Joyard.
Nicole Kidman crowned at the 2024 Venice Festival
Power. Control. Letting things go. No keywords of a self-help book turned bestseller but the plot points of Babygirl, Halina Reijn’s new movie (Bodies Bodies Bodies’ director, also starring on Blackbook directed by Paul Verhoeven) that every festival-goer attending the 81st edition of the Venice Film Festival wanted to have the first look of.
What for ? Nicole Kidman, awarded of the Volpi Cup at 2024 Venice Film Festival, is the protagonist of this erotical drama feature-film, which contributes to the rise of popularity of S&M as had done 50 Shades of Gray ten years prior, although the movie reminds us more – by the exploration of its topics – of Secretary (2002), starring Maggie Gyllenhaal, combining slaps and professional relationships.
The Australian star portrays a CEO living in New-York, captivated by the domineering aura of one of her interns. She catches a glimpse of him ordering a dog around, which startles her (to put it politely). Right before meeting Samuel, a toxic guy (Harris Dickinson, already picked by Ruben Östlund in Triangle of Sadness), she hugs her husband (played by Antonio Banderas), which ends when he comes during a sexual intercourse while telling her he loves her.
A movie with S&M themes
In order to climax, Romy touches herself while she is watching a S&M video in secret. It has to change, and will change. This woman, whose position at work puts her in a commanding place every day will slowly let herself get more vulnerable nestled in Samuel’s arms, despite striking stakes at the horizons : she could lose her job if this relationship ever sees the light of day.
Produced by A24, a powerful American production company renowned for picking daring movies, Babygirl follows the same steps without batting an eye : sex, societal stakes… The feature-film wants to do it all : capturing a middle-age woman’s sexual liberation while setting her in a liberal portrayal of the United States where desires are concealed behind closed doors.
Babygirl directed by Halina Reijn: games and seduction
Emmanuelle, released on September 25th, 2024, a remake directed by Audrey Diwan has confirmed the public’s interest for troubled female characters. This movie, starring Noémie Merlant, depicts the female protagonist’s issue to come during intercourse and searching to connect again with her sexual desire. As shown in Babygirl, the movie tackles a major issue in heterosexual intercourses, called the “orgasm gap”, where men and women’s pleasure is not equal.
Halina Reijn does not make us forget what ties her screenplay together, but Babygirl remains an interesting movie – especially when it takes its time, stretching out erotic scenes and letting the danger simmering in. Characters as troubled as they are troubling (the young man as well as Romy) who do not know what to do of their jism and therefore invent new ceremonies to spark it. Troubling actress too. And what an actress.
Nicole Kidman and her gripping performance
Believing, even for a second, that Nicole Kidman is outranked, concerning her more or less successful recent roles, would be a mistake. Her performance in Babygirl proves it all, she remains one of the greatest, as much as Isabelle Huppert is – Venice Film Festival’s jury chairwoman. With the help of this hard-hitting role, Kidman rekindles Eyes Wide Shut (1999) memories, directly quoted by the sight of her naked back and ass on screen.
On the opposite end of Stanley Kubrick’s masterpiece, she does not represent the object of a man’s fantasy : she incarns it. Everything unveils from the point of view of her gaze, even while tasting a bowl of milk. Nicole Kidman bares the search of desire, portraying the recklessness and adrenaline of it – both in art, love and intercourses. She reaches the third act of the movie, full of emotions. Indeed, she is one of the greatest.
Babygirl (2025), directed by Halina Reijn, airing on Canal+ on September 9th, 2025.
