NICOLE KIDMAN AND DIRECTOR DEFEND AGE GAP IN 'BABYGIRL' FILM
Director Halina Reijn speaks out on casting choices and empowering portrayals of women.
The release of Nicole Kidman's new film 'Babygirl' has sparked significant conversation surrounding the 29-year age gap between Kidman and her co-star Harris Dickinson. The film, directed by Halina Reijn, hit theaters on December 25, featuring Kidman, 57, as Romy Mathis, a powerful CEO who embarks on an affair with her intern, played by the 28-year-old Dickinson.
During recent interviews, Reijn passionately defended the unconventional age dynamic. "If we see a movie where the male actor is the same age as the female actor, we find it odd. Which is insane. It should completely be normalized!" she stated, emphasizing the need to challenge societal double standards about relationships between older women and younger men. "We’re not trapped in a box anymore. We internalize the male gaze, we internalize patriarchy, and we need to free ourselves from it. It’s really hard," she added.
Kidman's character, Romy, is depicted as having both authority and uncertainty about her desires, making her relatable to many viewers. Kidman regarded the opportunity to portray this complex character as empowering, noting, "A lot of times, women are discarded at a certain period of their career as sexual beings. So, it was really beautiful to be seen this way." She appreciates the modern narratives offered through her roles, stating, "From the minute I read it, I was like, ‘Yeah, this is a voice I haven’t seen, this is a place I haven’t been.'" Kidman implies this film resonates with her own experiences.
Reijn revealed how she wanted the erotic scenes to feel authentic and engaging, stating, "I wanted those scenes to feel incredibly hot and steamy and fun, but I also wanted them to be real. Sexuality is stop-and-go. It’s never like glamour scenes from a Hollywood movie from the ’90s. That’s just not how it works." The director also highlighted the importance of using intimacy coordinators on set to create safe, well-choreographed interactions.
Kidman corroborated Reijn’s insights about the filming environment. She expressed feeling emotionally drained during intense scenes, but appreciated the safe atmosphere created on set. Her husband, Keith Urban, showed support for her role, adding to the film's overall positive dynamics.
This isn't the first time Kidman has explored relationships with significant age differences on screen. Earlier this year, she starred alongside Zac Efron, 37, in Netflix's 'A Family Affair', highlighting her commitment to diverse narratives. With six upcoming projects slated for 2024, including the Paramount+ series 'Lioness' and Netflix's 'The Perfect Couple', Kidman appears determined to continue pushing boundaries.
Reijn's casting choice was met with mix reviews, but both women remain steadfast about the broader societal significance of their work. According to Reijn, "I needed someone to be as courageous as the script tries to be." After seeing Dickinson’s performance, she felt confident in choosing him to balance Kidman’s portrayal of Romy. "He’s so vulnerable, yet so masculine and macho," she explained. "He has all of these layers. He's kind of the ideal man."
Halina also underscored the need for safety during intimate scenes, stating, “Because I was an actress, safety is my first priority at all times.” She recounted experiences from her own acting days where she felt exposed and uncomfortable so quickly after such scenes, underscoring her approach to nurturing safety for her actors.
"Having someone who knows the little tricks makes everything feel safe. Within the structure of choreographed scenes, the actors can let go and be totally free," she noted, explaining how this methodology can lead to more authentic portrayals.
While the age gap has drawn flak from some viewers, both Kidman and Reijn are excited for audiences to engage with the film and its themes of desire, and power dynamics. They hope to challenge traditional storytelling structures and normalize complex relationships.
With 'Babygirl', Nicole Kidman and Halina Reijn aren't just telling stories; they're reshaping conversations around age, power, and femininity, both on and off the screen.
