Where do I even start with Babygirl? It all began when Nicole Kidman acting like a cat popped up on my TikTok For You page—I couldn’t believe my eyes. How could something so absurd actually exist? And then there was that unforgettable moment at the Oscars when Kidman chugged milk—a performance in itself! At that point, my curiosity wasn’t just piqued; it was undeniable. Iconic doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Babygirl follows Romy (Nicole Kidman), a powerful female CEO, as she embarks on a risky affair with her new intern, Samuel (Harris Dickinson). I’ll admit, I went into this film with some hesitation. The buzz on Letterboxd and other reviews has been overwhelmingly negative. Is the plot groundbreaking? Absolutely not. Halina Reijn, the director, seems intent on framing the power dynamics as something profound. But really, am I supposed to buy that Samuel knew Romy would instantly become submissive? It’s a stretch, to say the least.

Do I think this film was groundbreaking? No, not at all. HOWEVER—it’s pure camp. The entire theater was laughing throughout. It was absurd in the best way. Harris Dickinson is an absolute gem. His character is so cringeworthy it’s hilarious, yet somehow, he remains incredibly seductive. The movie also delivered some great twists and turns that had me gasping. For some reason, this film made me unusually expressive—maybe because I didn’t expect it to be as bold as it was. Case in point: Nicole Kidman acts like an animal not once, but twice. Truly, what a time to be alive.

Contrary to popular believe, I think that the cinematography in Babygirl was fantastic. Whoever decided Harris Dickinson should dance shirtless to “Father Figure” deserves a medal—it was pure genius. The soundtrack is a fascinating mix of cult classics (INXS, Robyn) and White Lotus-style instrumentals, creating a vibe that’s both nostalgic and edgy. One standout moment was the rave scene, set to Yellow Claw’s “CRUSH,” a song that’s had me hooked ever since. The intensity of that scene pulled me completely into the film, though I do think a flash warning was necessary for viewers.

One of the movie’s key flaws, however, is how absurdly accepting everyone is of the chaos unfolding. The stakes never feel particularly high. Romy’s husband is so open-minded it’s almost comical. I also find it hard to believe that someone would cheat on Antonio Banderas. Romy herself seems skilled enough at managing corporate politics, and Samuel never feels like a true threat to expose her. The moments where her career or family appear at risk are fleeting at best.

It’s also interesting to see some elements from Halina Reijn’s life in the film. She shared the inspiration behind the scene where Samuel sends a glass of milk to his boss, Romy, at a bar and orders her to drink it—a moment drawn from her own real-life experience. She claims: “It happened to me. I was playing in Belgium onstage, and I got offstage, and I had a really good run, and I was like, ‘Oh my god!’ I felt really good about myself for one night in my life. All my colleagues were like, ‘No, we’re going to bed.’ They’re all boring. I was all alone. I went to a bar, and I ordered something boring like a Diet Coke because I didn’t drink at that time because I was a control freak. There was this young Belgian actor — I can’t say who it is — but he was famous. I knew of him. I’d never spoken to him. He was at least 15 years younger than I, and he ordered me a glass of milk. I thought it was an incredible, hot thing to do, and so courageous, and so I wanted to reward him by drinking the whole thing, and I did. It did make me a little nauseated, to be honest with you, because it was cow milk. It was back in the day.” Read all about it HERE. 

Overall, in my opinion, Babygirl is a bold, unforgettable ride that embraces its own absurdity. Nicole Kidman delivers a wildly captivating performance as Romy, while Harris Dickinson masterfully balances cringe and charm. Its audacious exploration of power dynamics and messy relationships keeps you laughing, gasping, and shaking your head in equal measure. With stunning cinematography and a killer soundtrack, the film lingers in your mind long after the credits roll.