Babygirl (2024)
5.777 /10
513 Reviews
Rate This Movie:
A high-powered CEO puts her career and family on the line when she begins a torrid affair with her much younger intern.
Videos & Photos
cast
... Romy
... Samuel
... Jacob
... Isabel
... Esme
User reviews
It's the most anticipated film of this first part of the 81st Venice International Film Festival. And after the first viewing you immediately understand why.
It pushes the boundaries of sensuality, sex, sound, ambition, morality and feminism.
All this is possible thanks to a captivating Nicole Kidman, an intimate script and direction by Halina Reijn and a production by A24, which as always never disappoints.
Director:
Writer:
Halina Reijn (Writer)
Genres:
Release Date:
2024-12-25
Run Time:
115 min
MMPA Rating:
R
Reviews of
Babygirl
It's the most anticipated film of this first part of the 81st Venice International Film Festival. And after the first viewing you immediately understand why.
It pushes the boundaries of sensuality, sex, sound, ambition, morality and feminism.
All this is possible thanks to a captivating Nicole Kidman, an intimate script and direction by Halina Reijn and a production by A24, which as always never disappoints.
Business executive "Romy" (Nicole Kidman) is initially impressed with the dog-handling skills of "Samuel" (Harris Dickinson) but when she discovers that he is to be an intern in her e-packaging company something else starts to draw her to the man. We already know that though happily enough married to "Jacob" (Antonio Banderas) she's not exactly fulfilled in the bedroom department, and "Samuel" seems to sense that it's an area that maybe he can help with. Were not just talking sex, here - oh. no. This is about a lady with fantasy of being dominated. About her surrendering control completely, and if you're going to do that at all, then why not this tall, handsome and mischievous bit of rough? Of course, like any addiction - it starts to get out of control as the relationship dynamic changes quite profoundly and others start to put two and two together. At times this is quite funny, and milk seems to play a central role from time to time, but as a cinematic version of something akin to tantric, it doesn't really work. Neither of these actors are afraid to get naked yet neither do, simultaneously, here. Indeed I'm sure I saw his black Calvin's shining from under the sheet when the intimacy consultant was at their busiest. I didn't need nudity to augment their unique sort of passion, but I did expect something way more natural, visceral even, and I didn't get it. It's filmed in such a disjointed and bitty fashion, there's no attempt to characterise or contextualise either of these people and in the end I felt like this was little better than a titillation for it's stars that didn't really aspire to engage those watching any more than age-related porn might. Dickinson isn't remotely charismatic and the premiss falls flat quickly, especially when the quite aggravating intervention of "Esme" (Sophie Wilde) rather summed the shallowness of the whole thing up. "Eyes Wide Shut" (1999) or "Beach Rats" (2017) showcase both their talents amidst a sexually charged environment far better: this is all forgettable, over-hyped, stuff.
'Babygirl' is sex and bugger all else. It features two of the more freaky characters in cinematic history, they both kinda creeped me out I'm not going to lie - I will never look at a tie in the same way again, or a glass of milk for that matter. Kudos for creativity, I guess!
Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson do commit to their respective roles, some of the noises coming out of the former were quite something to witness. In fairness, if this is what they were going for then both actors do a fine job. Antonio Banderas is at least there to add sort of normality.
Impressively, aside from a few nips, there isn't much nudity in this, how you show so much without showing barely anything is actually quite the thing. I'm not against seeing films of an erotic nature, I just personally need a bit more substance attached to it. I'm fascinated to see the reception this got, I've no idea.
Babygirl is the story of high-strung CEO who secretly desires to be dominated and controlled. She instead gets into a weird relationship with a young intern who kind of is interested in the same thing, but also just is worried about how much milk she is drinking? There relationship develops throughout the movie but not in any interesting way. At one point he makes her stand in a corner and the music is weirdly intense for no real reason.
Also we are expected to believe that she would cheat on Antonio Banderas with this weird looking lanky kid that doesn't know how to comb his hair?
Babygirl (2024) is yet another attempt at making a “provocative” drama that leans too much on surface-level shock value rather than compelling storytelling. The plot, if you can call it that, revolves around an imbalanced relationship dynamic that lacks any real emotional depth. There is no real buildup, no effort to make the audience care about these characters beyond their physical interactions, and certainly no originality. The film tries to be daring, but instead, it feels like a predictable series of events with little payoff.
The directing is uninspired, relying on overused shaky cam techniques that have no business in a drama like this. The cinematography does nothing to elevate the story, and at times, it feels like the camera is as lost as the script. The only real standout performance comes from Antonio Banderas, but he’s barely in the movie. Nicole Kidman, despite her talent, is stuck in a role that feels more about aesthetics than substance. And of course, we have the usual over-the-top praise for a “bold sexualized performance,” the same kind of overhyped reaction we saw with Demi Moore in Substance, as if established actors being in explicit scenes somehow qualifies as groundbreaking cinema.
The script is painfully weak, with dialogue that does little to make the characters feel real or relatable. The film spends too much time trying to push a message without taking the time to craft an engaging narrative. There are moments where it seems like it might go somewhere interesting, but then it falls back into the same repetitive themes. The pacing is another issue, dragging through unnecessary moments while rushing past anything that could have added depth.
The score is outright annoying. It doesn’t complement the film or enhance any of the scenes, it’s just there, adding to the discomfort in all the wrong ways. In the end, Babygirl tries to be provocative but lacks the intelligence or creativity to make an impact. It’s the kind of movie that confuses shock value with substance, leaving you wondering what the point of it all was.
Cast & Crew of
Babygirl
Cast
... Romy
... Samuel
... Jacob
... Isabel
... Esme
... Nora
... Mr. Missel
... Hazel
... Hedda / Scarlett
... Brack / Stephen
... Tom
... Robert
... Hannah
... Mary
... Intern
... Intern
... Intern
... Ari
... Raver
... Therapist
... Ophelia
... Girl
... Mrs. Holbrook
... Josh
... Mother
Crew
... Executive Producer
... Producer
... Writer
... Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Second Assistant Director
... Special Effects Supervisor
... Assistant Production Manager
... Production Supervisor
... First Assistant Director
... Construction Coordinator
... Assistant Production Coordinator
... Lighting Programmer
... Second Second Assistant Director
... Gaffer
... Digital Imaging Technician
... Location Manager
... "A" Camera Operator
... Key Grip
... Production Coordinator
... Costume Design
... Director of Photography
... Costume Design
... Editor
... Casting
... Original Music Composer
... Production Design
... Director
... Hairstylist
... Steadicam Operator
... Second Assistant "A" Camera
... Production Secretary
... First Assistant "B" Camera
... First Assistant Director
... Props
... Sound Mixer
... Lighting Technician
... Dolly Grip
... Stunts
... "A" Camera Operator
... Casting Assistant
... Art Direction
... Makeup Department Head
... Lighting Technician
... "A" Camera Operator
... Production Assistant
... Props
... Stunts
... Costume Coordinator
... Costumer
... Graphic Designer
... On Set Props
... Costumer
... Location Assistant
... Location Scout
... Best Boy Grip
... Hair Department Head
... On Set Dresser
... Gaffer
... Location Manager
... Location Assistant
... Best Boy Electric
... Camera Operator
... Second Assistant Camera
... Music Editor
... Stunt Double
... Set Costumer
... Key Hair Stylist
... Props
... Stunt Double
... First Assistant Editor
... Music Supervisor
... Producer
... Stunt Coordinator
... Sound Effects Editor
... Dialogue Editor
... Supervising Sound Editor
... Sound Re-Recording Mixer
... ADR Recordist
... Dialogue Editor
... ADR Recordist
... ADR Editor
... Script Supervisor
... Foley Artist
... Visual Effects Supervisor
... Visual Effects Producer
... Casting Associate
... Makeup Artist
... Songs
... Additional Sound Re-Recording Mixer
... VFX Artist
... VFX Artist
... Makeup Artist
... Stunt Coordinator
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Stunts
... Assistant Art Director
... Set Decoration
... Key Makeup Artist
... Set Dresser
... Set Dresser
... Title Designer
... Thanks
... Thanks
... Thanks
... Thanks
... Thanks
Videos & Photos of
Babygirl
Videos (3)
Photos 57
Similar Movies To
Babygirl
The County Chairman (1935)
5/10
Based on George Ade's play which, in part, was based on an incident in a 1902 election in Wyoming, with women's-right-to-vote playing a large role. Here, Jim Hackler, local party-boss in a Wyoming county, has to decide to do what's right and lose the election, or what's wrong and win it.
Release: 1935-01-11
Unicorn Store (2017)
5.9/10
A woman named Kit moves back to her parent's house, where she receives a mysterious invitation that would fulfill her childhood dreams.
Release: 2017-09-11
The Death of Empedocles (1987)
5.3/10
Film adaptation by Straub and Huillet of Hölderlin’s 1798 tragedy on the symbolic death of Empedocles, the legislator in Ancient Greece.
Release: 1987-10-14
My Father and I (2003)
5.9/10
After Xiao Yu's mother died in an accident, she moved back to live with her birth father who she knows little about. Gradually, they grew to know each other and to accept each other for who they are.
Release: 2003-09-10
Mary from Beijing (1992)
5.8/10
Ma Lei which sounds like "Mary" is a Chinese citizen, living in Hong Kong as the kept woman of a jeweler. She wishes for two things: to get her Hong Kong Identity Card, which will enable her to get work as a legal immigrant; and to marry her boyfriend.
Release: 1992-12-24
Tonight Nobody Goes Home (1996)
6.4/10
The Chen family contagiousness extends to taking on an extra-marital affair. Gua Ah-leh is at the movie's centre: she shines as Lung's wife, who finds she has a thing or two to learn from the gigolo after Lung blithely. Lang Hisung plays old dentist for broad comedy he is sixty years old.
Release: 1996-07-04
In Between (1994)
4.5/10
Three flatmates share a luxury flat. A philandering hairdresser meets his match. A young stockbroker meets his boss's soon-to-be-ex-wife. A pregnant lady unsure over the identity of the baby's father.
Release: 1994-01-06
Orlando (1992)
6.9/10
England, 1600. Queen Elizabeth I promises Orlando, a young nobleman obsessed with poetry, that she will grant him land and fortune if he agrees to satisfy a very particular request.
Release: 1992-12-11
Kids (1995)
6.9/10
A day in the life of a group of teens as they travel around New York City skating, drinking, smoking and deflowering virgins.
Release: 1995-07-28
Wuthering Heights (2011)
5.9/10
Yorkshire moorlands, northern England, in the late 18th century. Young Heathcliff, rescued from the streets of Liverpool by Mr. Earnshaw, the owner of Wuthering Heights, an isolated farm, develops over the years an insane passion for Cathy, his foster sister, a sick obsession destined to end tragically.
Release: 2011-09-09
Donnie Brasco (1997)
7.535/10
An FBI undercover agent infiltrates the mob and identifies more with the mafia life at the expense of his regular one.
Release: 1997-02-27
Private Parts (1997)
6.5/10
The life and career of shock-jock superstar Howard Stern is recounted from his humble beginnings to his view from the top. Possessing a desire to be an on-air personality since childhood, Stern meanders through the radio world, always with his supportive wife, Alison, by his side. Landing a gig in Washington, D.C., Stern meets Robin Quivers, who will become his long-time partner in crime. When the two move to New York, they face the wrath of NBC executives.
Release: 1997-03-07
Home for the Holidays (1995)
6.3/10
After losing her job, making out with her soon-to-be former boss, and finding out that her daughter plans to spend Thanksgiving with her boyfriend, Claudia Larson faces spending the holiday with her unhinged family.
Release: 1995-11-02
To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995)
7.4/10
Manhattan drag queens Vida Boheme and Noxeema Jackson impress regional judges in competition, securing berths in the Nationals in Los Angeles. When the two meet pathetic drag novice Chi-Chi Rodriguez — one of the losers that evening — the charmed Vida and Noxeema agree to take the hopeless youngster under their joined wing. Soon the three set off on a madcap road trip across America and struggle to make it to Los Angeles in time.
Release: 1995-09-07
The Quest (1996)
6.131/10
Ghang-gheng, the ancient winner-take-all competition in which the deadliest fighters from around the world employ the most spectacular feats of martial arts skills ever displayed in order to win the prized Golden Dragon. But fighting prowess alone will not be enough for Chris to triumph over such daunting foes.
Release: 1996-04-19
The Wedding Banquet (1993)
7.2/10
A Taiwanese-American man is happily settled in New York with his American boyfriend. He plans a marriage of convenience to a Chinese woman in order to keep his parents off his back and to get the woman a green card. Chaos follows when his parents arrive in New York for the wedding.
Release: 1993-03-01
Now and Then (1995)
6.9/10
Waxing nostalgic about the bittersweet passage from childhood to puberty, four childhood girlfriends — Teeny, Chrissy, Samantha and Roberta — recall the magical summer of 1970. During their walk down memory lane, they reconcile experiences with boys, secrets, bullies and more.
Release: 1995-10-20
Poison Ivy (1992)
5.434/10
A seductive teen befriends an introverted high school student and schemes her way into the lives of her wealthy family.
Release: 1992-05-08
Stick It (2006)
6.8/10
Haley is a naturally gifted athlete but, with her social behavior, the teen seems intent on squandering her abilities. After a final brush with the law, a judge sentences her to an elite gymnastics academy run by a legendary, hard-nosed coach. Once there, Haley's rebellious attitude wins her both friends and enemies.
Release: 2006-04-21
The Color of Milk (2004)
6.3/10
Selma's mother died giving birth to her, and Selma's step aunt is living proof that men only cause trouble. So the 11 year old girl makes a deal with her best friends that they will stay away from boys and dedicate their lives to science. And by the way, Selma was probably born on another planet and not meant to fall in love with anyone. But what happens when her friends break the pact, and she actually meets a boy who's not like the rest?
Release: 2004-08-27