As a cinephile with a penchant for the darker and more complex corners of cinema, I must say that Babygirl has truly caught my attention. Having watched countless erotic thrillers from the 90s and beyond, it’s rare to find one that delves so deeply into the human psyche while still maintaining an air of intrigue and suspense.
Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson ignite the screen in “Babygirl,” a new movie directed by writer-director Halina Reijn. To get ready for the film, Reijn sent the two actors movies that represent the best of the genre shared by “Babygirl.” As reported by Entertainment Weekly, Rejin suggested watching 2001’s “The Piano Teacher,” 1992’s “Damage,” and 1988’s “Dangerous Liaisons” to help the actors get in the right frame of mind for filming. Although Rejin aimed to challenge the conventions of erotic thrillers, it was crucial that the actors and filmmaker were well-versed in what they were intending to overturn. As a result, Halina Reijn looked to the classics as her guide.
As reported by Dickinson, the director chose not to present straightforward sexual content, but rather focused on depicting vulnerability and uncovering the truth.
Halina generally avoids including graphic sexual content in her films. She finds that portraying sex on screen can frequently appear cheesy or overly intrusive. Instead, she prefers to focus on depicting the awkwardness surrounding intimacy, or if nudity is necessary, highlighting the vulnerability and exposed emotions it conveys. For Halina, the allure lies in revealing truths through shared exposure rather than simply showing explicit sex scenes that have been done repetitively.
When it comes to resources for crafting an erotic thriller, it’s challenging to find superior options than the movies suggested by Reijn. For instance, “The Piano Teacher,” directed by Michael Haneke (streamable on MAX), delves into the tormenting influence of desire using Haneke’s stark and chilling filmmaking style. Additionally, Louis Malle’s “Damage” (currently not available for streaming) investigates the destructive consequences of something beyond mere passion and less than love, unfolding as a heart-wrenching, slow-motion train wreck of an illicit affair. Lastly, “Dangerous Liaisons” (rentable on Apple TV) portrays the depraved actions of aristocrats with weak wills yet great power, and their manipulative tactics that leave people adrift in their wake, like debris in a stormy sea.
Babygirl Has Been Met With Critical Acclaim, Has a Rating of 90% on Rotten Tomatoes
Erotic thrillers experienced their peak popularity in the 1990s, gradually falling out of favor in the 2000s, possibly because music no longer features the saxophone as prominently and modern home renovations have eliminated glass block walls. However, the 2020s might mark a resurgence for this provocative genre. Movies such as Love Lies Bleeding, Saltburn, and Benedetta are setting the stage for the decade, suggesting that audiences may be more receptive to themes of power, attraction, and sexuality in contemporary films.
According to Dickinson, much like Rejin’s homework movies, Babygirl isn’t so much about the act of sex but rather delves deeper into the themes of sexuality and character development.
The exploration revolves around feelings of awkwardness, actions meant to impress, and experimenting with someone you have affection for – delving into its complexities, even the unpleasant aspects…It transcends mere physical intimacy. It’s also about understanding and expressing love, preferences, and all the associated nuances. How does one prefer to be treated? What triggers their best response? In this relationship, they both experience a sense of liberation and release. They discover a level of self-freedom within themselves.
The movie centers around a character named Romy, portrayed by Nicole Kidman, who finds herself in a challenging relationship with a young intern called Samuel (Dickenson). As power and age differences become evident, Romy navigates through a field of moral dilemmas, learning more about her own wants and limitations. The film “Babygirl” will hit theaters on December 25th, 2024, and has garnered much anticipation with a current rating of 90% on Rotten Tomatoes.
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2024-11-13 16:31