'Babygirl,' Nicole Kidman’s latest film, is proving to be quite the unexpected success at the box office during this holiday season. Directed by Halina Reijn, this erotic thriller follows Romy Mathis, portrayed by Kidman, who puts everything on the line when she begins an affair with her much younger intern, Samuel, played by Harris Dickinson. Although it opened at No. 7 on the domestic chart, 'Babygirl' has garnered increasing attention and earnings since its Christmas Day release.
Initial projections have the film grossing approximately $4.6 million over its second weekend from January 3 to January 5, bringing its total earnings close to $16.2 million. This figure not only positions 'Babygirl' as No. 19 on A24’s list of highest-grossing films but also surpasses the previous domestic total of MaXXXine, which stands at $15.1 million, according to Deadline. The film’s growing popularity suggests strong word of mouth among audiences, reflecting particularly well on its future box office prospects.
The film’s themes resonate deeply, tackling not just the allure of forbidden romance but also the undercurrents of power dynamics and personal identity within professional relationships. Kidman brings depth to her role as Romy, who is portrayed as both ambitious and vulnerable, trapped within the restrictions of her high-powered career and personal life. The film expertly explores her internal conflicts, igniting conversations about female desire, ambition, and the consequences of crossing moral boundaries.
Halina Reijn's direction has been well-received, with early audience feedback highlighting the film's provocative storyline as well as Kidman’s compelling performance. 'Babygirl' achieved a Certified Fresh score of 77% on Rotten Tomatoes, which could contribute significantly to sustaining its traction at the box office throughout January. 'Already, its week-on-week growth during its second weekend saw it rise 3% overall,' as stated by Screen Rant, reinforcing the belief among critics and analysts alike about the film's staying power as viewers begin to revisit movies they missed over the holidays.
With its reported budget set at $20 million, the film must break the $50 million mark to be considered profitable, something industry experts are hopeful may be achievable. If 'Babygirl' continues performing at this pace, it could surpass other A24 hits like 'The Green Knight' ($17.1 million) and 'The Whale' ($17.4 million), eventually positioning itself even closer to the $20.8 million of 'Priscilla' or the $21.1 million of 'The Disaster Artist.' The current holiday season often sees movies gain residual earnings as audience attendance begins to rise.
With the awards season just around the corner, any nomination could significantly boost interest and box office numbers for 'Babygirl.' Considering Nicole Kidman's prospect for Best Actress nominations at the 97th Academy Awards, optimism continues to surround the film's ability to captivate audiences on both the small and big screens.
A24 has established itself as a powerhouse of independent cinema, particularly noted for blending critically acclaimed films with commercial success. 'Babygirl' embodies this strategy perfectly and serves as yet another example of how mid-budget films are beginning to flourish again, after years of blockbusters dominating the market.
Striking the right balance between art and commerce, A24's slate of films, including hits like 'Everything Everywhere All At Once,' and now 'Babygirl,' reflects growing demand for narratives fueled by authenticity and emotional depth. The chatter around this erotic thriller contributes to this momentum as audiences explore mature themes with complexity and nuance during this festive season.
Whether it can reach or even exceed its production budget remains to be seen, but 'Babygirl’s box office performance showcases the enduring appeal of nuanced storytelling and quality filmmaking, securing it as one of A24’s notable titles this year. Regardless of its ultimate box office final tally, 'Babygirl' is already establishing itself as more than just another holiday release; it’s turning out to be one of the defining films of the season, capturing both the zeitgeist and the imaginations of its audience.