Babygirl is a 2024 American erotic thriller directed, written, and co-produced by Halina Reijn. Featuring Nicole Kidman, Harris Dickinson, Sophie Wilde, and Antonio Banderas, the film explores complex themes of desire, power dynamics, and personal boundaries.
The film had its world premiere on August 30, 2024, at the 81st Venice International Film Festival, where Nicole Kidman won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress. It was later showcased at the 49th Toronto International Film Festival and has been included in the National Board of Review's top ten films of 2024.
For the unversed, the theatrical release in the United States and Canada was on December 25, 2024, distributed by A24 with a runtime of 114 minutes (1 hour and 54 minutes).
Runtime of Babygirl explored in detail
The runtime of Babygirl is 114 minutes. This duration allows the film to carefully build its central conflict while exploring the complex relationships between its characters.
The movie's pacing strikes a balance between intimate character moments and the broader tension that underpins its genre. At just under two hours, the film is structured to maintain audience engagement while thoroughly examining the unfolding drama.
The official synopsis of the movie reads:
"A high-powered CEO puts her career and family on the line when she begins a torrid affair with a much younger intern."
What is Babygirl about?
Babygirl focuses on Romy Mathis, the CEO of a tech company in New York City, played by Nicole Kidman. Dissatisfied with her marriage to Jacob (Antonio Banderas), a theater director, Romy begins an affair with Samuel (Harris Dickinson), a young intern at her company.
Their relationship, initially marked by hesitancy, soon intensifies as they explore power dynamics and personal boundaries. However, Samuel's increasingly intrusive behavior threatens to disrupt Romy's personal and professional life.
The affair begins to unravel when Samuel shows up uninvited at Romy’s home and later appears at her daughter’s birthday party, accompanied by Esme (Sophie Wilde), Romy’s assistant. Esme confronts Romy, threatening to expose the affair unless certain conditions are met.
These events push Romy to a breaking point, leading her to disclose the affair to her husband. This revelation brings further challenges as Romy and Jacob attempt to rebuild their relationship.
The story also delves into Romy’s internal struggles, including her dissatisfaction with her marriage and her conflicted feelings about the affair. The narrative culminates in moments of resolution, where Romy takes steps to assert control over her personal and professional life.
Meanwhile, Samuel departs for a new job in Japan, marking the end of their entanglement.
More details about Babygirl
The cast of Babygirl brings significant depth to the film’s characters. Nicole Kidman leads as Romy Mathis, delivering a performance that captures her character’s vulnerability and complexity. Harris Dickinson portrays Samuel, a character whose actions drive much of the film's tension.
Antonio Banderas plays Jacob, Romy’s husband, navigating his own response to the strain on their marriage. Sophie Wilde features as Esme, whose knowledge of Romy’s affair adds a layer of conflict to the narrative.
The supporting cast includes Esther McGregor and Vaughan Reilly as Romy’s daughters, Isabel and Nora. Other notable performances come from Victor Slezak, Anoop Desai, and Gaite Jansen, who contribute to the film’s exploration of professional dynamics and personal struggles.
Halina Reijn’s direction focuses on the interplay of power, relationships, and morality, while Jasper Wolf’s cinematography enhances the narrative through deliberate framing and the use of light and shadow.
Cristobal Tapia de Veer’s score complements the film's tone, emphasizing key emotional and suspenseful moments. Edited by Matthew Hannam, the film maintains a deliberate pace that allows for both character development and narrative tension.
The production, led by A24 in collaboration with 2AM and Man Up Films, was shot in New York City between December 2023 and February 2024.
Interested viewers can watch Babygirl in theaters for now.