The VOD release date for Halina Reijn’s Babygirl, starring Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson, has been officially announced. The film will be available to buy or rent on digital HD platforms—including Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Vudu, and Google Play Movies & TV—starting January 28, 2025. This highly anticipated title has received positive reception, scoring 79% on Rotten Tomatoes, 6/10 on IMDb, and 80% on Metacritic.
Babygirl follows the tumultuous story of Romy (Nicole Kidman), who begins cheating on her urbane theatre director husband (Antonio Banderas). It is made clear early on, particularly in the film's opening scene, there's still significant chemistry between them. But when her husband falls asleep, Romy sneaks out to fulfill desires she feels she cannot achieve with him. Enter Samuel (Harris Dickinson), her intern at the company, who seems to understand her realms of desires more than she intends to share. Their relationship soon spirals as they find themselves together under complicated circumstances, culminating at a seedy motel where they wrestle with power dynamics—both literal and metaphorical. Samuel’s youth provides him with advantages even as Romy seemingly holds the upper hand.
The film also boasts performances from notable actors including Sophie Wilde as Esme, Gaite Jansen as Hedda, and Dolly Wells as the Therapist, among others. Produced by Halina Reijn alongside David Hinojosa, the film is brought to life through the efforts of production companies A24 and 2AM, threading together themes of power, sexuality, and control.
Designer insights reveal the intentional choices made behind Samuel’s wardrobe, contributing significantly to the film’s atmosphere. “Samuel has two sides. The work costume is a monkey suit of sorts,” commented Kurt, one half of the film's costume design duo. Their exploration of Samuel’s character suggests not just aesthetic decisions but also the layered identity he portrays throughout the film.
Described as having clear division between work and personal life, Samuel's initial entry scene showcases him wearing casual yet distinctive clothing, including a white ribbed tank top paired with his signature gold chain, pushing boundaries of workplace attire. Bart, the costume designer alongside Kurt, shares, “The chain is a Figaro link and I don’t know why, but Figaro for me always means New York.” This detail adds to Samuel’s complex character, hinting continuously at his layered identity.
The film draws comparisons to pop culture phenomena such as the 2020 series Normal People, where fashion choices directly impacted audience perceptions and attachments to characters. Commenting on Samuel’s chain, Bart says, “You’re either giving someone a chain who loves you or buying it for yourself. Either scenario pulls focus to the wearer.” This sentiment resonates, as the chain becomes emblematic of self-worth and confidence, threading through Samuel's relationship with Romy.
Kidman’s portrayal of Romy as the high-powered CEO dealing with deep personal dilemmas showcases her adeptness at capturing nuanced emotions. Their affair plays with multiple layers of dominance and submission across various scenes as their relationship unravels the intricacies of office dynamics.
Critics have noted the film's compelling take on modern relationships set against the backdrop of workplace ethics, raising questions about consent and power juxtaposition. Babygirl provokes thought and engages audiences by not just telling, but showing how desire navigates through professional boundaries.
Upon its release on December 25, 2024, Babygirl began making waves within the film community. Intrigued viewers are eagerly awaiting the forthcoming VOD release, allowing broader access to what is poised to be one of the most talked-about films of 2025. The anticipation continues to grow, making Babygirl not just a film but part of larger conversations surrounding intimacy, trust, and the complexity of the human experience.
