Veteran actress Nicole Kidman is making headlines with her latest project, the erotic thriller “Babygirl,” in which the 57-year-old star boldly explores themes of power, desire, and submission.
In a revealing new interview, Kidman admitted that the intense nature of the film’s intimate scenes left her at times overwhelmed, even needing to pause production to regain her composure.
“There was an enormous amount of sharing and trust, and then frustration,” Kidman shared. At times while filming, I said, ‘I don’t want to orgasm anymore. Don’t come near me. I hate doing this. I don’t care if I never experience this again in my life! I’m over it.'” Up-and-coming British actor Harris Dickinson plays Romy, a high-powered CEO, in the film. Veteran actor Antonio Banderas stars as Romy’s husband, Jacob.
The project’s exploration of the complexities of human desire drew Kidman, who has never shied away from challenging roles. “I’ve always been on a quest as an actor,” she explained. “I’m always exploring; where have I not been?” she said. What avenues can I pursue as a human being? This was an area I had never ventured into before.
Director Halina Reijn, whose previous film “Bodies, Bodies, Bodies” garnered critical acclaim, cited the 1992 thriller “Basic Instinct” and stories of women who had never experienced sexual fulfillment in long-term relationships as inspirations for the story.
“The affair at the heart of ‘Babygirl’ allows Nicole and Harris’ characters to play out their confusion around power, gender, age, hierarchy, and primal instinct,” Reijn said in a director’s statement. “Despite its forbidden nature, the joy of that exploration is liberating, even healing.”
Kidman, who has been married to country singer Keith Urban for 18 years, acknowledged the challenges of balancing her family life with her artistic ambitions. She shared, “Unfortunately, when you have a family at home and everything, there has to be a sort of agreement where you go, ‘I’m now going to go into this, and I’m asking your permission to let me go.'”
The film’s provocative themes and Kidman’s fearless performance have already generated Oscar buzz, with the actress receiving the Best Actress award at the recent Venice Film Festival. On Christmas Day in the US and January 10th in the UK, “Babygirl” will open in theaters.
Kidman, known for her willingness to push boundaries in her roles, has previously appeared in risqué scenes, including a memorable orgy sequence in 1999’s “Eyes Wide Shut” with her then-husband Tom Cruise. But the actress believes she was able to tackle the intimate moments in “Babygirl” with greater ease under the guidance of a female director.
“I don’t think I could have done it, working with a man,” Kidman admitted. “I actually think the only way I could do this was with [Reijn], because the two of us would sit and talk,” Kidman said. We have discussed a wide range of topics and continue to do so; this approach is both secretive and vulnerable, yet it provides a secure environment.
As Kidman continues to captivate audiences with her versatility and fearlessness, “Babygirl” looks poised to solidify her status as one of Hollywood’s most celebrated and influential actresses.