Halina Reijn, the director of Babygirl, is defending the 29-year age difference between her lead actors, Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson. In a recent interview with W Magazine, Reijn addressed the trend of films featuring older women paired with younger men, highlighting that such relationships should be normalized in cinema. She criticized the societal norms that expect men and women to adhere to age-related expectations in romantic roles.
Reijn believes that the male gaze and patriarchal views still dominate the portrayal of relationships in the film, adding that women must break free from these constraints. The director emphasized the importance of normalizing relationships with age differences, pointing out how rare it is to see stories where women have more complex, age-diverse romantic dynamics.
In Babygirl, Kidman, 57, plays a powerful CEO who embarks on a passionate affair with a younger intern, portrayed by Dickinson, 28. This pairing echoes a growing trend of older women with younger male love interests in films this year, such as in A Family Affair (Kidman and Zac Efron) and The Idea of You (Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine). Kidman’s performance has already received significant praise, especially following the film’s premiere at the Venice International Film Festival.
Reflecting on her character, Kidman shared in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter that she was initially taken aback by some of the more unsettling reviews of the movie, which some called disturbing. Despite this, Kidman expressed how liberating the role was for her. She relished playing an older woman who embraces her sensuality and desires, something rarely explored in Hollywood films.
Kidman noted how women are often sidelined in their careers after a certain age, particularly when it comes to sexuality. She found it empowering to be portrayed as a woman in power who still struggles with her desires and identity, offering a unique and relatable perspective.
Kidman also admitted to the raw and risky nature of making Babygirl. She was surprised the film even received funding due to its bold exploration of sexuality and the age of the characters involved. The film wasn’t designed for a young actor but rather to challenge the conventional norms about the portrayal of older women in sexual roles.
Harris Dickinson, who plays the younger intern, spoke about filming intimate scenes with Kidman. In an interview with Variety, Dickinson described the process of working with an intimacy coordinator to ensure both actors felt comfortable. The scenes were carefully planned to respect boundaries while maintaining the vision for the film.
