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Babygirl starring Nicole Kidman, one of the most talked-movies of 2024, has received much praise from cinephiles and critics alike. In this A24 movie directed by Halina Reijn, Kidman plays a high-powered CEO named Romy Mathis. Although she has an envy-worthy professional life, she feels unsatisfied in her marriage. Instead, she feels drawn to the new intern, Samuel (Harris Dickinson).
Babygirl's main highlight is the way it is able to portray a steamy narrative without making it feel cringy or vulgar. The dreamlike cinematography coupled with intense performances by Kidman and Dickinson helps create a cinematic experience that stays with the audience long after having watched it.
Cinephiles who enjoy Babygirl's thrilling narrative should keep an eye out for the noteworthy titles on this list that are equally intimate and riveting.
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Disclaimer: This list contains information from various sources.
Disobedience, Sanctuary and four other movies like Babygirl that are strikingly fierce and distinctive
1) Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
Like Babygirl, this psychological thriller also sees Nicole Kidman play a married woman who is unsatisfied with her husband. Based on Dream Story by Arthur Schnitzler, this movie is Stanley Kubrick's final film.
Kidman's character, Alice, confesses to her husband, William (Tom Cruise), that she contemplated having an affair to satisfy her desires. He feels deeply disturbed and eventually ends up becoming involved with a dubious underground group.
Like Babygirl, Eyes Wide Shut boasts a provocative narrative that explores mature themes like jealousy, dominance, s*xuality and more. It's also interesting how Kidman's expressive glances and body language help get the message across better than any dialogue.
Where to watch: Eyes Wide Shut can be streamed on Netflix and Prime Video.
2) Disobedience (2017)
The unrelenting tension between Romy and Samuel in Babygirl is partly due to the secretive nature of their relationship. Disobedience by Sebastián Lelio also brings a forbidden romance to the forefront. Rachel Weisz plays a New York photographer named Ronit Krushka who was banished from her community because she was unwilling to conform to the orthodox culture.
When she returns for her father's funeral, she meets her childhood friends, Dovid (Alessandro Nivola) and Esti (Rachel McAdams), who are now married. But as she spends more time with them, she is made aware that Esti sees her as more than a friend.
The thoughtful narrative of this movie explores how holding on to archaic beliefs can hamper personal freedom and lead to discontentment and loneliness. It's not as fast-paced as Babygirl but is still able to share moving messages about being true to oneself and pursuing happiness.
Where to watch: Disobedience is available for streaming on Apple TV+ and Prime Video.
3) Deep Water (2022)
In Babygirl, Romy is drawn to Samuel because he unleashes her deepest desires, something that her husband has been unable to do. Likewise, Ana de Armas' character Melinda Van Allen is married to Ben Affleck's Vic Van Allen, but they have a strained relationship. To avoid a divorce, they make an arrangement that allows Melinda to take lovers as and when she pleases.
Things get even more complicated when Melinda's lovers start disappearing and Vic becomes a prime suspect. The main highlight of this movie has to be the push-and-pull dynamic between Melinda and Vic. Their characters portray the consequences of a toxic relationship that thrives on destroying each other.
As compared to Babygirl, Deep Water has only a handful of steamy scenes but they are aesthetically shot and add to the overall vibe of the movie.
Where to watch: Deep Water by Adrian Lyne is available on Hulu and Prime Video.
4) Sanctuary (2022)
Like Samuel in Babygirl, Margaret Qualley's character in this psychological thriller, Rebecca Marin, is a master of mind games. A skilled dominatrix, she has a knack for finding out what makes her clients tick. Hal Porterfield, portrayed by Christopher Abbott, is one of her clients who wants to cut ties with her as he prepares himself to take over as the CEO of a large company.
But their final session gets much more intense than what Hal was expecting. Films that are confined to minimal actors can feel a bit monotonous if not done right but Sanctuary is able to keep the audience invested with only Qualley and Abbott on screen. Their characters, albeit flawed, feel real and believable.
Sanctuary, like Babygirl, has several tough scenes that are hard to swallow but they are there for a reason and add to the overall storytelling. This movie by Zachary Wigon will particularly appeal to viewers who enjoy character-driven narratives.
Where to watch: Sanctuary can be streamed on Apple TV+ and Prime Video.
5) Love and Leashes (2022)
Kidman's character in Babygirl has a hard time coming to terms with the desires bubbling within her, and she isn't sure whether she should bottle them up or let them loose. Lee Jun-young's character Jung Ji-hoo in Love and Leashes is also unable to give in to his BDSM desires because he fears judgment and chastisement.
However, things start to change for him when he meets Jung Ji-woo, portrayed by Seohyun. After getting to know him, Ji-woo also starts to embrace a side of her that she didn't even know existed.
Directed by Park Hyun-jin, Love and Leashes, despite its tantalizing premise, is a lot tamer than Babygirl but is still an exciting exploration of romance and desires driven by interesting characters. Also, unlike Babygirl, this movie blends intense moments with witty humor that makes for an enjoyable watch.
Where to watch: Love and Leashes is available on Netflix.
6) Burning Betrayal (2023)
Like Babygirl, this Brazilian thriller boasts a compelling narrative centered on a sizzling romance rife with secrets and unpredictable risks. Giovanna Lancellotti plays Babi, a successful accountant who's about to get married. But when she learns of her fiancé’s infidelity, she's forced to start over. She meets the alluring Marco, portrayed by Leandro Lima, who has held his secrets close to his heart.
Like Kidman and Dickinson in Babygirl, Lancellotti and Lima have great on-screen chemistry. Even though it is just attraction at first, it is interesting to see how their relationship evolves with time. The best thing about Burning Betrayal is that it has a little of everything - action, romance and mystery. It would be amiss not to mention the soundtrack as it helped amplify the tone of the narrative.
Where to watch: Burning Betrayal by Diego Freitas can be viewed on Netflix.
Cinephiles who enjoyed watching Babygirl will appreciate these exciting titles that offer the perfect mix of risqué relationships and entertaining plotlines.
