Babygirl Movie Review. In an era where mainstream erotic thrillers are few and far between, Babygirl arrives with the promise of intrigue, sensuality, and psychological depth. Headlined by the ever-talented Nicole Kidman and rising star Harris Dickinson, the film dares to enter provocative territory but ultimately fumbles its narrative ambition. While the cast brings an undeniable allure to the screen, the film’s emotional shallowness and unfulfilled premise leave viewers with more frustration than satisfaction.
Babygirl Movie Review Nicole Kidman — At a Glance
- Title: Babygirl
- Directed by: Halina Reijn
- Starring: Nicole Kidman, Harris Dickinson, Antonio Banderas, Sophie Wilde
- Genre: Erotic Thriller, Drama
- Runtime: 115 minutes
- Language: English (with subtitles)
- Available on: Theaters & Video on Demand (VOD)
The Premise: A Promising Start That Loses Its Way
At its core, Babygirl aims to unravel the repressed desires of a woman locked in a passionless marriage. Nicole Kidman plays the character with poise and bravery—she’s a woman rediscovering her sensuality through an affair with a younger man (Dickinson). The setup teases an emotionally rich journey into vulnerability, desire, and personal awakening.
But the film’s execution fails to deliver. Instead of an in-depth character study, the narrative opts for repeated intimate scenes that lose their meaning over time. There’s an attempt to use silence and subtlety to communicate internal conflicts, but it ends up creating emotional distance between the audience and the characters.
Script & Direction: Surface-Level Introspection
Halina Reijn’s direction feels tentative—like she’s unsure whether she wants to make an erotic piece, a psychological drama, or a meditative exploration of female pleasure and loneliness. The result is a film that lacks clear direction. The second act, in particular, drags without any significant development, making the 115-minute runtime feel unnecessarily long.
The script flirts with important themes: marital dissatisfaction, self-identity, aging, and fantasy. But instead of exploring them with nuance, it glosses over them with vague dialogues and long silences. When characters do speak, their words often fail to leave a lasting impact. It’s a case of style overtaking substance.
Performances: Nicole Kidman Carries the Film
Nicole Kidman once again proves her acting prowess. She leans into the discomfort and emotional fragility of her character, making her the most compelling aspect of Babygirl. With fearless vulnerability, Kidman breathes life into a role that could have easily been one-dimensional.
Harris Dickinson brings sincerity and charm to the screen, but his character lacks depth due to a thinly written arc. Still, he makes the best of what he’s given. Antonio Banderas and Sophie Wilde have limited screen time, while Esther-Rose McGregor surprises with a powerful moment in the third act, hinting at bigger things to come for the young actress.
Visuals & Atmosphere
Visually, Babygirl is moody and seductive. The cinematography tries to create intimacy through soft lighting, shadow play, and close-ups, but these techniques feel overused by the midpoint. The bedroom scenes are frequent but begin to feel performative rather than emotionally meaningful.
Loo Break?
Absolutely—especially during the repetitive fantasy sequences that start losing impact. If you need a break, you won’t miss any plot-heavy moments during these.
Should You Watch Babygirl?
Only if you’re a die-hard Nicole Kidman fan or someone curious about the evolution of erotic cinema. Otherwise, Babygirl feels more like a missed opportunity than a must-watch. The lack of emotional depth and narrative follow-through makes it fall flat despite its artistic potential and talented cast.
Final Verdict
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
Babygirl is seductive but shallow—like a beautifully wrapped gift with nothing inside. Nicole Kidman elevates the material with a committed and mature performance, but the film as a whole feels like an unrealized vision. It had all the right ingredients to become a groundbreaking exploration of female desire, but poor pacing, thin character development, and repetitive scenes prevent it from reaching that goal.
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