Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5 Stars)
Released 12-25-2024
Watched 02-02-2025
Reviewed 02-19-2025
Rented on Apple TV+
"You're confusing ambition with morality. They're different things."
Babygirl (2024), directed by Halina Reijn, is an American erotic thriller that delves into the complexities of power, desire, and control. The film stars Nicole Kidman as Romy Mathis, a high-powered CEO who jeopardizes her career and family by engaging in a tumultuous affair with her much younger intern, Samuel, portrayed by Harris Dickinson. While the movie offers a compelling narrative and standout performances, it occasionally succumbs to excessive sensationalism, detracting from its core themes.
Nicole Kidman’s portrayal of Romy is both fearless and nuanced, capturing the internal conflict of a woman torn between societal expectations and personal desires. Her performance earned her the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the 81st Venice International Film Festival, underscoring her ability to embody complex characters with depth and authenticity. Harris Dickinson complements Kidman well, bringing a raw intensity to the role of Samuel, whose enigmatic presence challenges Romy’s controlled existence. Antonio Banderas delivers a steady performance as Jacob Mathis, Romy’s husband, adding layers to the film’s exploration of marital dynamics.
The film’s narrative is built on a solid foundation, exploring themes of power dynamics and forbidden desire. However, Babygirl occasionally overindulges in explicit content, with certain scenes seemingly designed solely for shock value. These moments, rather than enhancing the story, can feel gratuitous and may detract from the film’s more profound messages. A more restrained approach could have allowed the underlying tension and psychological complexity to resonate more effectively with the audience.
Director Halina Reijn’s vision is evident in the film’s atmospheric tension and stylistic choices. The cinematography by Jasper Wolf captures the stark contrasts between Romy’s structured corporate world and the chaotic unraveling of her personal life. Cristobal Tapia de Veer’s eclectic score further amplifies the film’s mood, blending operatic vocals and instrumental arrangements to mirror the protagonist’s tumultuous journey.
Despite its strengths, Babygirl misses opportunities to delve deeper into the psychological aspects of its characters. The power struggle between Romy and Samuel, while central to the plot, could have been explored with greater subtlety and depth. Instead, the film sometimes opts for overt dramatization, which may overshadow the intricate dynamics at play.
In summary, Babygirl is a provocative film that offers strong performances and a compelling storyline but occasionally falters due to its overreliance on sensationalism. Nicole Kidman’s fearless portrayal of Romy Mathis stands out, making the film worth watching. However, a more measured approach to its explicit content and a deeper exploration of character dynamics could have elevated the movie to a higher echelon of cinematic achievement.
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