The Babygirl director addresses age-gap relationship controversy

On By Littum

The director of erotic thriller Babygirl has said she hopes her film will show women are no longer “trapped in a box” when it comes to relationships.

Baby girl stars Nicole Kidman as the accomplished CEO Romy, who risks her family and career when she begins a psychosexual affair with her much younger intern, Samuel (Harris Dickinson).

Writer-director Halina Reijn said it should be “normalized” for women to have relationships where their partner is younger than them: “We internalize the male gaze, we internalize the patriarchy, and we have to break free from that,” she said. W Magazine. It is really difficult.”

In the same interview, Reijn said her film is a “warning” against the pressure on women to maintain an outward appearance of perfection, both physically and in their personal and professional lives.

IN Baby girlRomy has unfulfilling sex with her husband, attends Botox appointments and recites her company’s PR statements until she meets Samuel, at which point she risks unraveling completely.

“My film is a warning,” said Reijn. “What happens if you say, ‘No, I’m perfect.’ I have no blemishes on my soul. I’m not even getting older – I look fertile even though I’m 55.’? I wanted to tell the story of a woman who suppresses the beast in her – and then it wakes up.”

Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson in 'Babygirl'

Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson in ‘Babygirl’ (© Miss Gabler Productions LLC; Miss Gabler Rights LLC)

Kidman recently told The sun that she was first drawn to the film because it was an area she had never explored before.

“I’ve always been on the hunt as an actor,” she said. “I’m always going, where haven’t I been? And what can I explore as a human? And this was an area I had never been to.”

The Hollywood star is already receiving critical raves for his performance after Baby girl premiered at the Venice Film Festival, where she was named Best Actress.

Apple TV+ logo

Watch Apple TV+ for free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/month after free trial period. Schedule automatic renewal until cancellation

Try for free

Apple TV+ logo

Watch Apple TV+ for free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/month after free trial period. Schedule automatic renewal until cancellation

Try for free

The independent’s Geoffrey Macnab said of her performance: “We’ve all seen Kidman in TV dramas like The perfect couple and Expatswhich gives accomplished, but somewhat stiff and moderate performances. Here she digs much deeper.”

He added: “Reijn is one of Holland’s most respected stage actors, known for his work with the controversial Ivo van Hove.”

“She evokes Kidman’s best performance in years as the headstrong, fiercely independent businesswoman whose sexual submissiveness never seems like a weakness. A film that could have slipped into voyeuristic prurience is instead witty, subversive and emotionally revealing.”

Nicole Kidman plays Romy, a CEO 'whose sexual submissiveness never seems like weakness'

Nicole Kidman plays Romy, a CEO ‘whose sexual submissiveness never seems like weakness’ (© Miss Gabler Productions LLC; Miss Gabler Rights LLC)

Speaking to VFF, Reijn said the relationship between Kidman and Dickinson’s characters allows them to “play out their confusions around power, gender, age, hierarchy and primal instinct”.

“Despite its forbidden nature, the joy of this exploration is liberating, even healing,” she said.

Baby girl will be released in theaters on January 10, 2025.