Directed by Halina Reijn, Babygirl is a provocative erotic thriller that delves into the complex dynamics of desire, power, and infidelity. The film stars Nicole Kidman as Romy, a high-powered CEO in New York City who, on the surface, appears to have it all: a successful career, a loving husband, Jacob (Antonio Banderas), and a seemingly perfect life. However, beneath this polished exterior, Romy is deeply unsatisfied, particularly in her marriage. Her sexual desires, which she feels are unfulfilled, lead her to a secret life, seeking an escape from the predictability of her existence.
Her world is turned upside down by the arrival of Samuel (Harris Dickinson), a charismatic and perceptive intern at her company. Their initial interactions are charged with an undeniable tension, culminating in a flirtatious and forbidden mentorship. Samuel, who is significantly younger than Romy, senses her hidden desires and challenges the established power dynamics from their first meeting. He is portrayed not as a naive young man, but as a confident and assertive figure who understands exactly what he wants—and what Romy wants, even if she won't admit it to herself.
What begins as a seemingly harmless attraction quickly spirals into a torrid and intense affair. The film explores the thrill and danger of their relationship as they meet in secret, their rendezvous becoming a space where Romy can shed the responsibilities of her public persona and embrace a more submissive side of herself. Samuel’s dominant demeanor in the bedroom becomes a powerful outlet for Romy's long-repressed needs. She finds herself in a precarious position, risking her career, her family, and her entire life for these moments of intense, raw passion.
The movie expertly navigates the moral ambiguities of Romy's actions, making it clear that her affair is not simply about physical gratification but about a deeper yearning for liberation and self-discovery. Her journey is a psychological one, forcing her to confront her own identity and the person she has become versus the person she truly is inside. Antonio Banderas's character, Jacob, serves as an emotional anchor to the life Romy is putting in jeopardy. Their marriage, while stable, lacks the excitement and connection she finds with Samuel, creating a dramatic conflict that puts everything at stake.
Babygirl is a taut, character-driven story that uses the genre of the erotic thriller to explore a modern take on female sexuality and autonomy. It subverts traditional power structures and societal expectations, placing a woman in a position of corporate authority while showing her submissive desires in her private life. The film is a sleek and stylish examination of the taboos and complexities of an age-gap relationship where the woman holds all the professional power. Ultimately, it’s a film that asks profound questions about what people are willing to risk to be their authentic selves and the price of seeking desire outside the bounds of a conventional life.
Babygirl is a 2024 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 54 minutes.
It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9 and a MetaScore of 79.
