Babygirl is a bold and refreshing drama that dives deep into themes of desire, self-discovery, and complicated relationships. Set against a modern backdrop, the film explores the tension between youthful freedom and societal expectations, making it a story that feels both daring and relatable. With its edgy narrative, sharp dialogues, and unfiltered emotions, Babygirl instantly stands out as a film that challenges the norms of conventional cinema. At its core, the movie captures the struggles of identity and the blurred lines between love, obsession, and self-worth. Featuring strong performances, stylish direction, and a soundtrack that resonates with today’s generation, Babygirl is not just a movie—it’s an experience that sparks conversation. It speaks directly to youngsters who crave raw, unapologetic storytelling that reflects the complexities of modern life.
Overview
Babygirl follows the story of a young woman caught between her search for independence and the pressures of relationships that test her boundaries. Set in a modern urban environment, the narrative unfolds around themes of love, temptation, and the blurred lines of personal choices. The film builds its world through moments that highlight both vulnerability and strength, keeping the audience connected to the character’s inner struggles.
The storyline gradually explores how youthful freedom collides with emotional complexities, creating a space where decisions shape identities. With its mix of drama, romance, and tension, Babygirl paints a picture of contemporary life that feels authentic to younger audiences. The film doesn’t just tell a story—it sets the stage for conversations about choices, relationships, and the challenges of self-discovery in today’s world.
Cast and Crew
Director: Halina Reijn
Halina Reijn directs Babygirl with her signature daring approach to storytelling, blending psychological tension with emotional intimacy. She brings out the rawest layers of her characters, never shying away from taboo themes or uncomfortable truths. With this film, Reijn continues her reputation for pushing boundaries, crafting a narrative that feels both unsettling and captivating.
Lead Actor: Harris Dickinson
Harris Dickinson shines as Samuel, the young intern whose entanglement with his boss sets the entire story in motion. His nuanced performance captures the duality of innocence and manipulation, making the audience question his true intentions. Dickinson embodies the unpredictability of youth, balancing charm with an undercurrent of danger that keeps viewers hooked.
Lead Actress: Nicole Kidman
Nicole Kidman delivers a powerful performance as Romy Mathis, a CEO struggling between professional control and personal vulnerability. She portrays the complexity of desire and secrecy with elegance, switching effortlessly between strength, fear, and longing. Kidman’s ability to humanize Romy adds emotional weight, making her journey feel authentic and compelling.
Supporting Cast
Antonio Banderas plays Jacob Mathis, Romy’s husband, grounding the story with authority and seasoned experience. His performance provides a striking contrast to the volatile chemistry between the leads, offering stability amid chaos. Alongside him, Sophie Wilde, Esther McGregor, Vaughan Reilly, and others bring sharp performances that flesh out the world of Babygirl, ensuring the tension feels layered and alive.
Music Composer: Cristóbal Tapia de Veer
Cristóbal Tapia de Veer creates a haunting and atmospheric score that becomes an unspoken character in the film. Known for his distinctive style, he blends unsettling tones with moments of quiet beauty, reflecting the characters’ shifting emotions. His music heightens the suspense, guiding the audience deeper into the psychological undertones of the story.
Production Company: A24
Produced by A24, 2AM, and Man Up Films, Babygirl benefits from the backing of studios that specialize in bold, boundary-breaking cinema. Their involvement ensures the film retains artistic authenticity while also reaching a wide audience. The combination of creative freedom and strong production values gives the movie both grit and polish.
Run Time: 1 Hrs 55 mins
With a total runtime of 1 hour 55 minutes, Babygirl unfolds with careful pacing that mirrors the growing tension in its story. The first half slowly builds the power dynamics, drawing viewers into the forbidden relationship with intrigue and unease. The second half accelerates into emotional turmoil and high-stakes consequences, ensuring the climax feels both inevitable and impactful.
Budget and Box Office
Babygirl was made on an estimated $20 million production budget, according to sources. Given the film’s scale, cast, and production values, this budget allowed for strong visuals, locations, and marketing push without being an ultra-blockbuster spend.
At the global box office, Babygirl earned approximately $64.6 million worldwide (with around $28.2 million domestically and $36.4 million internationally). The film recouped its budget several times over, with the first half of its theatrical run building momentum through word of mouth and strong opening in domestic markets, and the second half sustaining interest internationally, pushing it past the break-even threshold and into profit territory.
Story
Babygirl centers on Romy Mathis, a successful and powerful CEO whose life is defined by discipline, control, and a carefully maintained image. Beneath her commanding exterior, however, lies a woman burdened by emotional complexities and the pressures of leadership. Her marriage to Jacob Mathis appears steady on the surface, but distance and unspoken conflicts create a void that leaves her vulnerable. Into this world steps Samuel, a young and ambitious intern whose presence begins to unsettle the delicate balance of Romy’s life.
The relationship between Romy and Samuel develops in an environment charged with secrecy and temptation. What begins as a subtle attraction gradually transforms into a dangerous entanglement, marked by an intensity neither can fully control. Samuel’s youth and unpredictability contrast sharply with Romy’s maturity and need for stability, creating a dynamic that blurs boundaries of power, desire, and vulnerability. Their connection grows in private spaces, away from the world’s gaze, intensifying the tension between hidden passion and looming consequences.
As the affair deepens, the story shifts into a web of lies and fractured loyalties. Jacob Mathis, Romy’s husband, becomes a silent but looming figure whose presence underscores the moral and emotional stakes. Supporting characters such as Romy’s assistant Esmée and others in her orbit become witnesses—sometimes knowingly, sometimes unknowingly—to the changes in Romy’s behavior. These interactions create ripples in her professional and personal worlds, further complicating her ability to keep control of the situation.
The latter part of the film delves into the unraveling of this fragile balance, where choices have irreversible consequences. The story examines the thin line between desire and destruction, asking how far one can go before their personal and professional lives collapse. Through its progression, Babygirl paints a layered narrative of power, secrecy, and emotional turmoil, where every decision echoes with weight. The conclusion leaves its characters transformed, shaped by the fallout of their own actions and the inevitable clash between passion and consequence.
Review
Babygirl is a daring and provocative drama that thrives on tension and secrecy. From the opening scenes, Halina Reijn sets the tone with an atmosphere of unease, where power, desire, and restraint intertwine. The storytelling is deliberate, slowly peeling back layers of the characters’ lives, which keeps the audience both intrigued and unsettled. Its bold subject matter makes it a film that instantly stands apart from conventional Hollywood dramas.
Nicole Kidman’s portrayal of Romy Mathis is nothing short of magnetic. She delivers a performance filled with nuance, shifting between control and fragility with seamless precision. Her ability to embody a woman torn between professional authority and personal vulnerability anchors the film. Kidman’s Romy is never simplified; she is both sympathetic and flawed, a character who leaves a lasting impression.
Harris Dickinson as Samuel provides the perfect counterbalance to Kidman’s performance. He captures the energy and unpredictability of youth, creating a character who is equal parts alluring and unsettling. Dickinson’s chemistry with Kidman is electric, giving their interactions a raw and dangerous edge that drives the story forward. His performance ensures Samuel is never just a stereotype but a fully realized, complex figure.
Antonio Banderas, in the role of Jacob Mathis, grounds the film with a calm authority. His presence adds weight to the narrative, representing the stability and tradition that contrasts sharply with the chaos of the central affair. Supporting cast members like Sophie Wilde and Esther McGregor add further depth, ensuring that the secondary characters feel meaningful and connected to the unfolding drama.
Beyond the performances, Babygirl excels in its technical execution. Cristóbal Tapia de Veer’s score heightens the tension, weaving unease into even the quietest moments. The cinematography captures both the intimacy and the isolation of the characters’ worlds, using shadow, color, and framing to emphasize their emotional states. Combined with Reijn’s unflinching direction, these elements create a film that lingers in mood and atmosphere long after it ends.
Why Babygirl Will Keep You Hooked? (Even If It Gets Uncomfortable)
Babygirl isn’t your average drama—it’s a film that dares to push buttons, challenge norms, and keep viewers on edge. If you’re looking for a movie that combines bold storytelling with powerhouse performances, this one delivers. Nicole Kidman commands the screen with layered emotions, while Harris Dickinson brings intensity and unpredictability that make their on-screen dynamic impossible to ignore. Add Antonio Banderas’ grounded presence and Cristóbal Tapia de Veer’s haunting score, and you have a film that feels both thrilling and unsettling.
Of course, that same daring edge may not be for everyone. The slow-burning pacing in the first half demands patience, and the morally grey themes may feel uncomfortable to some viewers. But those very choices are what make the movie stand out—it’s provocative, stylish, and willing to go places mainstream films often avoid. In short, you should watch Babygirl because it doesn’t just tell a story—it makes you feel it, question it, and remember it long after the credits roll.
Conclusion
Babygirl stands out as a film that dares to blend power, desire, and secrecy into a narrative that is both intimate and unsettling. With Halina Reijn’s bold direction, Nicole Kidman’s layered performance, and Harris Dickinson’s raw intensity, the movie creates a story world that feels gripping and thought-provoking. Its combination of emotional depth and atmospheric storytelling ensures it leaves a lasting impact on the audience.
At its core, the film is more than just a tale of forbidden attraction—it is a study of choices, vulnerabilities, and the fragile line between control and chaos. Whether through its haunting score, sharp performances, or daring themes, Babygirl keeps the viewer engaged from beginning to end. It closes not with easy answers, but with lingering questions that spark conversation long after the credits roll.