A24 has unveiled the trailer for Babygirl, an intense erotic thriller starring Nicole Kidman, which first debuted at the 81st Venice Film Festival in August. The film, which won Kidman the Best Actress prize at Venice, is set to hit theaters nationwide on Christmas Day, promising a sultry and suspenseful story that delves into the complexities of desire and power.
A Torrid Affair with Consequences
In Babygirl, Kidman plays a high-powered business executive who risks it all—her career, her family, and her reputation—by entering into a passionate affair with her much younger intern, portrayed by Harris Dickinson. The film explores the tension and consequences of this forbidden romance, as it threatens to unravel both characters’ lives. The supporting cast features Antonio Banderas, Sophie Wilde, Esther McGregor, and Victor Slezak.
The official logline hints at a steamy and dangerous dynamic, suggesting that Kidman’s character is willing to risk everything in pursuit of her desires. But the affair spirals into dangerous territory, pulling the audience into a world of erotic tension and psychological turmoil.
Exploring Human Duality and Taboo Fantasies
Writer-director Halina Reijn is no stranger to provocative themes. In a statement at Venice, she said, “All of us carry a little black box filled with taboo fantasies that we might never share with anyone.” Reijn’s exploration of the “duality of human nature” drives the film’s narrative, examining the inner struggles between vulnerability, desire, and shame. “To me, feminism is the freedom to study a woman’s vulnerability, love, shame, rage, and inner beast,” Reijn added, framing Babygirl as a deep dive into complex emotions without judgment.
A Continued Collaboration with A24
Babygirl marks the third collaboration between Reijn and A24, following her critically acclaimed films Instinct (2019) and Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022). Reijn not only directed but also wrote and produced the film, with executive producers Christine D’Souza Gelb, Erika Hampson, and Zach Nutman involved in bringing the project to life. The film’s combination of Reijn’s daring storytelling and Kidman’s award-winning performance is shaping up to be a must-watch this holiday season.
Catch Babygirl in theaters on Christmas Day and experience the dark, seductive world A24 is known for.
