With the dawn of 2025 approaching, excitement builds around upcoming female-led films, particularly one that's already making waves—"Babygirl." Opening on Christmas Day 2023, this provocative drama starring Nicole Kidman captures both the complications of midlife and the nuanced exploration of desire.
Kidman steps fully and memorably as Romy, the poised, high-femme chief executive of a flourishing robotics company. Married to Jacob, played by Antonio Banderas, who is also successful as a theater director, the duo navigates the challenges of family life with their two teenage children. Romy embodies both professional success and domestic bliss, often swapping out her pussy-bow blouses for aprons to whisk up wholesome meals. At first glance, all appears perfectly curated—a life seemingly automated, mirroring her role as the head of automation.
But beneath this glossy surface, Romy is grappling with inner turmoil, as hinted at through her sessions of eye movement desensitization therapy and her past growing up in a cult. The film sets its provocative tone early: it begins and ends with moments of orgasm—fakes, illicit encounters, and real pleasures. It all spirals when Romy, amid this perceived perfection, begins to see Samuel, depicted by Harris Dickinson, her youthful intern. Together, they forge not only a forbidden romance but also traverse power dynamics and personal discovery.
This erotic thriller and fairy tale combo takes viewers on what resembles moral tragedy, where Romy effectively pays for her quest for personal freedom. Surprisingly, it closes with what Halina Reijn, the film's writer and director, cheekily describes as both "literally and figuratively" happy endings. The film's depiction of Romy’s sexual life at the age of 57 is both bold and refreshing, joining a lineage of recent narratives featuring midlife women who embrace sexuality and autonomy.
2023 witnessed similar intriguing explorations of age-gap dynamics, with films such as "The Idea of You" featuring Anne Hathaway's alluring performance, or Léa Drucker cavorting freely among the wilds of summer, representing women at different phases of life and sexuality. Kidman herself appeared previously this year, portraying another woman negotiating her desires, as seen in "A Family Affair" alongside Zac Efron.
Further characterization of midlife entanglements emerged from Julianne Moore's semi-comedic baking adventure, as well as Ali Wong's captivating show, "Single Lady," wherein she humorously relates to the eccentricities of being pursued by the legions of men capitalizing on her 'divorced mom energy.' Interest soars as we explore the lives of these complex women brought to light by contemporary cinema.
Kidman's performance aligns with many other narratives spotlighting older women. Gillian Anderson—a once quintessential sex symbol and now matriarch on "Sex Education"—also contributed to the dialogue on sexuality recently via her edited collection of female fantasies titled "Want." Meanwhile, streaming platforms have seen waves of shows like "Big Little Lies," "Dead to Me," and "Younger" focusing on midlife journeys and modern femininity. The discussions and depictions are abundant, showing women grappling with the realities of their lives.
Yet, "Babygirl" stands out by showing its titular character as not just seeking connection but as confronting her identity amid the structures imposed by peer expectations. Caught between the fulfilling aspects of personal fulfillment and the potential stigma of infidelity, Romy's experiences resonate with many women—bridging authenticity with intrigue.
The film highlights both the societal challenges women over midlife face and their capacity for delight and exploration. Its honest portrayal of sexual liberation within the boundaries of character conflict and film narrative enriches popular culture, showcasing the strong roles females are increasingly allowed to occupy.
Ending on themes of hope and self-realization, "Babygirl" may mark its place proudly within this wave of compelling female leads. Its candid take on the realities of women's sexual lifestyles today not only reflects their stories but also engages the audience through the vibrant spectrum of cinema moving forward.