Babygirl is a raw, sexy and surprising examination of an illicit affair between a high-powered CEO and her much younger intern.
The film from writer and director Halina Reijn (Bodies Bodies Bodies) is broadly described as an "erotic thriller" but that doesn't begin to encapsulate the messy, confusing and often amusing spectacle that follows.
Nicole Kidman is Romy Mathis, the unflappable head honcho of a tech company in New York and the picture-perfect epitome of "have-it-all" womanhood.
While juggling a demanding work schedule and never-ending stream of emails, she creates a calm and loving home life with her devoted, passionate theatre director husband Jacob (Antonio Banderas) and two spirited teenage daughters Isabel (Esther McGregor) and Nora (Vaughan Reilly).
Romy is supremely in control. Except, something is missing. She is deeply unsatisfied with her sex life with her husband of almost two-decades and has an unspoken desire for submission.
Enter Samuel (Harris Dickinson), a cocky, smart and intuitive new intern at her company who somehow senses her yearning to be told what to do.
The early scenes of the affair that ensues, as they map out the parameters of their uncharted sexual dynamic, are earnest and playful.
Samuel oscillates between supreme confidence and fumbling awkwardness, while Romy wrestles with the inherent wrongness of the situation and her unquenchable lust.
The push-and-pull of their power dynamic is expertly realised and, crucially, non-judgemental.
Nicole Kidman’s performance is bold and vulnerable as she portrays a woman finding liberation while yielding to her basest desires. Harris Dickinson is utterly magnetic as her lover, imbuing a slightly opaque character with immense charm and depth.
A pitch-perfect score and soundtrack, which most memorably includes George Michael’s Father Figure, propels the action to intoxicating levels. Babygirl goes to unexpected places and leaves you wanting more.
Succumb to its pleasures.
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