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Nicole Kidman Discusses Her Role in ‘Babygirl’ and the Challenges of Finding Compelling Characters
Renowned for her remarkable career, Nicole Kidman stands out as one of Hollywood’s most prolific actresses. With nearly 100 film and television credits to her name, she continues to attract attention this season with a slate of projects including A Perfect Couple, Lioness, Spellbound, and Babygirl. Notably, the latter has earned her a 20th nomination for a Golden Globe.
Despite her extensive experience, Kidman notes that securing intricate and compelling roles, such as the one in Babygirl, remains a challenge. “Getting something made is hard, let alone something that’s complicated and unusual and exciting and not run-of-the-mill,” she explained in a conversation with Gold Derby. “It’s never what people think.”
This sentiment captures her excitement about working on director Halina Reijn’s screenplay, a bold thriller centered on a powerful CEO, Romy, who embarks on a risky affair with a charming young intern, played by Harris Dickinson. “It was so captivating, and I hadn’t seen a woman’s sexuality portrayed like that,” Kidman shared. She highlighted Reijn’s commitment to a “radically honest” portrayal of a woman’s quest for freedom and the expression of her desires.
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The character of Romy is sent into an unexpected emotional tailspin with the arrival of her intern, a narrative turn that presented Kidman with a unique exploration of womanhood. “It’s a deep look at a woman’s psychology and her secrets and her shame and her desire,” she noted. Critics have remarked on her performance, reflecting that it showcases her dedication to risk-taking in her craft.
In the pursuit of authentic representation, Kidman has consciously chosen to collaborate with female directors in recent years, further enriching her creative output. Her partnership with Reijn involved a deep dive into character development. “It was like sitting with your best girlfriend and just sharing secrets,” she described their collaboration. “It was really exciting, working with a woman like that.” Kidman emphasized how Reijn’s background contributed significantly to pushing boundaries in their storytelling.
Kidman aimed to portray Romy as a multifaceted character. “I wanted to be able to capture her interior life, not just the lines of the script,” she explained. Through various scenes, she endeavored to convey Romy’s complexities and inner thoughts. “There were times when I was licking milk out of the saucer and thinking, ‘What am I doing?’ But that’s what Romy is thinking, too. So anything I’m feeling, Romy’s feeling. We became very intertwined,” she added.
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On set, Reijn fostered an unorthodox filmmaking atmosphere, encouraging spontaneity from the actors and using a filming style that kept them unaware of camera positions. Kidman embraced this method, opting not to view the monitors to focus on staying present in her performance. “I want to be there, I want to be present, not censoring myself,” she stated.
Having previously explored complicated physical relationships in her roles, Kidman reflected on her tendency to gravitate toward such narratives. She contrasted Babygirl with her past work, highlighting a more personal journey of self-acceptance within this story. A poignant moment arises in a confession scene where Romy reveals her affair to her husband, Jacob, portrayed by Antonio Banderas. Her admission, “I’ve tried to be what you want me to be, and I can’t,” resonates deeply with audiences.
Kidman concluded by acknowledging the universal relatability of the film’s themes, stating, “I think that’s a deeply relatable feeling, and that’s probably why people of all ages and all different genders are responding to the film. I love that.”
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