The erotic thriller that depicts an older woman having an illicit affair with a young man has been done effectively in the past. “Notes on a Scandal” and the Hulu series “A Teacher” come to mind. And more recently, Todd Haynes’ “May December.” However, with the upcoming film “Babygirl,” there’s a new, more contemporary approach, as promised by Venice Film Festival artistic director Alberto Barbera. He spoke recently to Variety about the Nicole Kidman-starring vehicle right before the film debuted in Venice, followed by a North American premiere at TIFF (you can read our review here).
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“Well, ‘Baby Girl’”’ speaks for itself, right? It’s about a sadomasochistic relationship within an American corporation with the novelty that, compared to other similar films, the ending actually testifies to the differences between now and the past…Without spoilers, I will say that the female protagonist who engages in illicit behavior, so to speak, in the past would have been punished.”
It sounds like the indication is filmmaker Halina Reijn (“Bodies, Bodies, Bodies”) finds less fault with the older female and maybe more in the younger, typically victimized male. Audiences will have to wait until the movie arrives in theaters later this year.
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In addition to Kidman, the movie stars Harris Dickinson (“The Iron Claw”), Sophie Wilde (“Talk to Me”), Antonio Banderas, and Jean Reno. It’s written, directed, and produced by Halina Reijn, who gained much acclaim after her aforementioned ‘Bodies x3’ gen Z thriller. Additional producers include Christine D’Souza Gelb (“Past Lives”) and David Hinojosa (“Beatriz at Dinner”).
The movie follows a corporate executive, Romy (Kidman), who has a passionate affair with one of her interns, Samuel (Dickinson). A shifting power dynamic ensues, and Romy’s professional and personal life hangs in the balance.
Synopsis:
This cinematic work explores the complexities of power dynamics and sexuality within a professional setting as it revolves around a high-ranking CEO who embarks on a forbidden romance with a captivating intern who is significantly younger.
A24 plans to release “Babygirl” in theaters on December 25.