Nicole Kidman continues to make her mark with her powerful and disturbing performance in the erotic thriller Baby girl. The film, directed by Halina Reijn, explores the themes of female desire, power and intergenerational relationships. In this role, the actress plays Romy, a charismatic CEO, confronted with her desires for submission through a sulphurous relationship with a young intern, played by Harris Dickinson. At 57, Nicole Kidman breaks the codes of the representation of women in cinema, in particular by approaching female sexuality from a point of view as intimate as it is daring.
A cult scene at the heart of the film
One of the iconic scenes of Baby girl sees Romy's character drinking a glass of milk in a bar, a key moment in the dynamic between her and her young lover. Inspired by a personal experience of director Halina Reijn, this sequence quickly became a cultural phenomenon, sparked by its presence in the trailer. This moment, where the intern silently orders Romy to drink this glass, embodies a turning point in their subtly staged relationship of domination. This power play, both disturbing and fascinating, encapsulates the essence of this film which subtly questions the notions of consent and control.
A memorable nod to the National Board of Review gala
At the National Board of Review gala, Nicole Kidman won the award for Best Actress for Baby girl. On stage, the actress surprised and amused the audience by raising a glass of milk, an obvious nod to the cult scene from the film. "I raise my glass of milk to every baby girls "present in the room," she said before drinking in one go, to the applause of the audience. She concluded her speech by whispering "Good girl", an iconic line from the film. This bold and humorous gesture once again demonstrates Nicole Kidman's commitment and complicity with her character, but also her ability to play with her iconic image.
