Academy Award-winning actress Nicole Kidman is diving into bold new territory with her latest film, Babygirl, an erotic thriller that explores power, sexuality, and desire. During a Q&A session in Los Angeles, following a screening of the highly anticipated film, Kidman shared her experiences alongside her costar Harris Dickinson, 28, and writer-director Halina Reijn. As she opened up about the complexities of portraying her character, a powerful business executive entangled in an affair with her young intern, she emphasized how vital trust was in bringing the film’s provocative themes to life.
The Importance of Trust on Set
Reflecting on her work in Babygirl, Kidman, 57, explained that exploring kink and intimate dynamics on screen required “an enormous amount of trust” between herself and her costars, especially Dickinson. The actors developed a deep connection to portray the layered and intense relationship their characters share. Kidman described moments on set where they would look at each other for reassurance, knowing they needed to be fully aligned emotionally to execute their scenes.
Dickinson, who gained attention for his role in The Iron Claw, admitted there were days he felt apprehensive about certain scenes. He spoke of moments where the entire cast and crew prioritized comfort over time, allowing them the freedom to pause and regroup if the atmosphere didn’t feel right. “There was never a day that if the scene wasn’t working, or if we weren’t comfortable, we couldn’t stop and say, ‘Let’s take a break and figure this out,'” he said.
A Groundbreaking Role for Kidman
For Kidman, who is known for taking on challenging and diverse roles throughout her career, Babygirl presented an exciting new opportunity to explore an area of her craft she hadn’t previously ventured into. Portraying a woman in a position of power who enters into a secretive, steamy affair allowed Kidman to break away from traditional character dynamics, something she found both “liberating” and challenging.
“I’ve always been on a quest as an actor,” she said, “always going, where have I not been? And what can I explore as a human being? This was an area I’d never been.”
The film, which flips the narrative by placing a woman in a position of control over her intern, delves into complex power dynamics. This shift in focus allowed Kidman to explore the nuances of desire from a fresh perspective.
Working with Halina Reijn
Kidman attributed much of her comfort during filming to director Halina Reijn. With Reijn at the helm, Kidman felt safe and supported throughout the film’s most intimate and emotionally charged moments. She shared that Reijn made it clear she would protect the actors, ensuring that no scene would make them feel uncomfortable or exploited.
“You have your director at the helm going, ‘I will protect you. Nothing that’s going to be in the film will be anything that you are not comfortable with. You are going to be okay,'” Kidman revealed.
This level of care created an environment where Kidman could throw herself fully into the role, pushing past her own boundaries in a way she had never done before. “There’s a sort of a jump-off-the-cliff thing,” she said, “where you go, okay, I’m just going to abandon everything and explore this.”
The Emotional Toll
While the experience was artistically fulfilling, it also took an emotional toll on Kidman. Ahead of the film’s premiere at the Venice Film Festival, she told Vanity Fair that the role left her “ragged.” There were moments, she confessed, when she felt like she didn’t want to continue. Yet, despite these challenges, Kidman remained committed to telling the story.
“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 do it,” she said. During the more confronting moments, Reijn and Kidman would lean on each other for support. “Halina would hold me, and I would hold her,” Kidman shared, noting how emotionally intense the process could be.
As Babygirl gears up for its Dec. 25 release, Kidman reflected on the vulnerability of bringing such a raw and intimate performance to the screen. “It’s like, ‘Golly, I’m doing this, and it’s actually now going to be seen by the world,'” she said. “That’s a very weird feeling.”
Careful Collaboration on Set
Despite the intensity of the subject matter, Kidman emphasized that the experience on set was collaborative and considerate. During a press conference at the Venice Film Festival, she reiterated that she never felt exploited while filming the intimate scenes. Thanks to Reijn’s leadership and the support of the cast and crew, the atmosphere remained safe and respectful.
“There was enormous care taken by all of us,” Kidman said. “We were all very, very gentle with each other and helped each other.”
As Babygirl prepares to hit theaters, Kidman’s bold portrayal is already generating buzz for its fearless exploration of power, desire, and control. Her commitment to the role, combined with the supportive environment on set, allowed her to deliver one of her most daring performances yet.
Mark your calendars—Babygirl arrives in theaters on December 25.
