My Review of Babygirl (2024)

 

Written And Directed by Halina Reijn

Romy: "I see myself as a..."

Samuel: "Power-hungry personality?"

Romy: "You think that's what I am?"

Samuel: "I think you like to be told what to do."

2024 was the year that tried to bring some sexiness back into adult movies and make them into award contenders. Luca Guadagnino tried to satisfy (and mostly succeeded) both bisexuals and the gays with Challengers and Queer (still have to catch up with it) but what about the straights?

Well, writer and director Halina Reijn took on the assignment and on paper, this definitely felt like it should've been a clear winner. For a lot of people it has been but for me, I hate to say it but it didn't quite work for me. I really wanted to like this one. I really did.

First of all, I will point out that in terms of onscreen chemistry, both Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson do their level best here and had the movie been less messy, I think it would've really worked. Sadly though, it didn't. At least not for me.

Anyways, Kidman played the role of CEO Romy Mathis. Her tech company was embracing AI and there was an intern scheme she got roped into. The intern, Samuel (Dickinson) ended up getting under her skin by crossing too many professional boundaries. This also resulted in an affair in which Romy took on a submissive role.

If you've ever seen the movie Secretary with James Spader and Maggie Gyllenhaal, then this movie felt like a reverse of that dynamic. Romy's affair with Samuel intensified to the point where another one of her subordinates, Esme (Sophie Wilde) knew what was going on and Romy's marriage to theatre director, Jacob (Antonio Banderas) almost came crashing down.

However by the end of this movie and despite the repeated threat of losing everything, Romy lost nothing. She fixed her marriage, got an orgasm from her husband, had Samuel transferred to another country and even put a co-worker in his place. Overall, there was no real consequences or stakes to any of the events itself. 

- Romy's oldest daughter, Isabel (Esther McGregor) was sympathetic to her mother because she had cheated on her girlfriend and could relate.

- Jean Reno filmed scenes but his role was cut from the film itself.

- Standout music: Sly Ferreira's Leash, appropriately enough.

- Chronology: Around the Christmas period in New York City.

Babygirl had potential but overall, for me, I don't think it came together. The script felt sloppy in parts, the last act could've definitely been fleshed out. I wanted to like it but it felt lacking for me.

Rating: 6 out of 10