The Reel Review
A high-powered CEO, devoted wife and doting mother puts her entire career and personal life on the line when she begins a reckless and torrid affair with a much younger intern. Nicole Kidman, Harris Dickinson and Antonio Banderas star in this BDSM-themed erotic thriller.
On the heels of her terrible 2022 horror/comedy Bodies Bodies Bodies, Dutch actress turned writer/director Halina Reijn’s story explores the sexual power dynamics between men and powerful women, in particular, those into dom/sub roleplay. Sexually unfulfilled by her theater director husband (Antonio Banderas), Kidman’s Romy turns to intern Samuel (Dickinson), who seems to have an uncanny sense of what she really wants.
Be it the flimsy, monotonous story, some truly ridiculous moments, or too on-the-nose song choices at key moments, Babygirl is less Eyes Wide Shut and more cheap, soft-core 50 Shades of Grey. The provocative performances are solid, but if you’ve seen the trailer, you’ve seen the whole movie and can save yourself two hours of pointless tedium.
REEL FACTS
• Harris Dickinson has been in a relationship with British pop star Rose Gray since they were teenagers.
• The role by Jean Reno (Leon: The Professional) as a rival business executive was completely cut from the movie during editing.
• Sophie Wilde, who plays Romy’s assistant Esme, starred in the 2023 horror Talk to Me.
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