Nicole Kidman Opens Up About Challenging Scenes in ‘Babygirl,’ Revealing She Had to Pause Filming
Nicole Kidman has revealed the emotional and physical challenges she faced while filming intimate scenes for her new movie Babygirl. The 57-year-old actress, who stars alongside 28-year-old Harris Dickinson in the provocative A24 thriller, admitted that at one point, she had to stop filming because she “didn’t want to orgasm anymore.”
Pushing Boundaries in the Erotic Thriller
In an appearance on The Graham Norton Show, Kidman shared how the role pushed her out of her comfort zone, but also excited her for the opportunity to take on something daring and unconventional. In Babygirl, she portrays a powerful businesswoman whose life unravels as she embarks on a passionate affair with her much younger intern, played by Harris Dickinson, best known for his role in Triangle of Sadness (2022).
The film, written, directed, and produced by Halina Reijn, was inspired by a real-life story of a woman who never experienced an orgasm during her 25-year marriage. Reijn, fascinated by exploring women’s relationships with their bodies, wanted to create a dark, unpredictable, and sensual narrative that challenges societal norms.
A Bold and Unflinching Performance
Kidman’s performance in Babygirl has been widely praised for its depth and vulnerability, as she effortlessly transitions from moments of anger and fear to deep, passionate desire. “I love the script, and I’m always looking to push myself as an actor,” Kidman shared. “This role was something I’d never explored before, and I’m constantly on a journey to uncover new aspects of myself.”
With Babygirl, Kidman continues to redefine her career by taking on complex roles that challenge both herself and her audience, proving once again that she’s not afraid to push boundaries in her craft.
Nicole Kidman Reflects on Personal Struggles While Filming Babygirl and the Heartbreaking Loss of Her Mother
Nicole Kidman’s role in the daring film Babygirl pushed her to new emotional and physical extremes, but it wasn’t the only challenge she faced during production. While filming the intense and intimate scenes in the A24 thriller, Kidman had to grapple with both the vulnerability of her character and some very real personal grief.
Balancing Professional and Personal Challenges
Despite the role’s emotional demands, Kidman emphasized the importance of finding balance between her professional commitments and personal life. However, the personal toll became even more poignant after the film was completed. In 2024, Kidman’s life took a heartbreaking turn just as she was arriving at the Venice Film Festival, where she was set to accept the prestigious Volpi Cup for Best Actress. Tragically, she was informed that her mother had passed away as she was en route to the closing ceremony. In an emotional decision, Kidman left Italy immediately, and director Halina Reijn accepted the award on her behalf.
The Intensity of the Intimate Scenes in Babygirl
Filming the erotic scenes in Babygirl proved to be far more challenging than Kidman anticipated. Portraying a character who engages in simulated orgasms with both Harris Dickinson (her lover in the film) and Antonio Banderas (her on-screen husband) required not only physical stamina but also emotional vulnerability. Kidman admitted that while there was an essential trust with her co-stars, the process often became overwhelming.
“There was a lot of sharing, trust, and then frustration,” Kidman said candidly. At one point during filming, she explained, she had to stop the scene entirely, feeling both physically and emotionally drained. “It became too much, and I needed a break,” she revealed.
Her vulnerability and willingness to tackle such a complex role have made her performance in Babygirl stand out, but it’s clear that the journey was far from easy—both on and off-screen.
Nicole Kidman Opens Up About the Physical and Emotional Toll of Filming Babygirl and Her Award-Winning Performance
Nicole Kidman has shared the intense, raw reality of filming Babygirl, revealing that there were moments during production where she felt emotionally overwhelmed. “There were times when we were shooting where I was like, ‘I don’t want to orgasm anymore,’” Kidman confessed, as reported by The Sun. She went on to explain how the pressure of filming these intimate scenes left her feeling physically and emotionally drained. “It was like, ‘Don’t touch me.’ At times, I’d think, ‘I don’t care if I’m never touched again in my life!’ I was just over it.”
A Grueling Experience
Filming Babygirl was undoubtedly a taxing process for the 57-year-old actress, both emotionally and physically. “It left me ragged,” Kidman admitted. Despite the emotional hurdles, her portrayal of a powerful businesswoman navigating an affair with a younger man has already garnered significant praise. Kidman’s performance earned her a seven-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival in 2024, where she was awarded Best Actress for her work in the film.
Box Office Triumph and Critical Acclaim
Despite the challenges, Babygirl has proven to be a major success both critically and commercially. The film has grossed over $60 million against a $20 million budget and was named one of the top ten films of 2024 by the National Board of Review. Kidman’s performance continued to shine, with her winning another Best Actress award for her complex portrayal of a woman pushing the boundaries of intimacy.
A Film That’s Sparking Conversations
Babygirl is a bold exploration of intimacy, personal boundaries, and the complexities of female desire, sparking conversations that go beyond the screen. The raw and unapologetic nature of Kidman’s performance has left audiences questioning where the line between art and real vulnerability lies. With its daring approach to consent, power dynamics, and physical intimacy, Babygirl is a film that will continue to be debated and discussed long after its release.
I haven’t seen Babygirl myself, but it definitely sounds like a bold and thought-provoking film! From the way it explores intimacy, personal boundaries, and vulnerability, it seems like it pushes the envelope in a way that could spark some intense discussions. Nicole Kidman’s performance sounds incredibly raw and powerful, and with the critical acclaim it’s receiving, it’s definitely on my radar!
Have you had a chance to see it? What did you think of the themes it explores?