Introduction Babygirl(2024), directed by Luca Guadagnino (Call Me By Your Name, Suspiria), has sparked heated debates since its premiere at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. Starring Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson, this psychological thriller dissects a taboo relationship between a powerful CEO and her young intern, blending sensuality with psychological manipulation. With a 68% Tomatometerand a sharply divided 53% Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes, Babygirl challenges viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about power, desire, and control.
1. Overview of Babygirl 2024
Synopsis
Lena Carter (Nicole Kidman), a ruthless tech CEO, hires 24-year-old intern James Collier (Harris Dickinson) as her personal assistant. What begins as a professional relationship spirals into a twisted game of dominance and submission, blurring the lines between mentorship, romance, and psychological warfare. Set against the backdrop of Silicon Valley’s cutthroat corporate culture, Babygirl explores the corrosive effects of power imbalances and unresolved trauma.
Key Details
Category
Details
Director
Luca Guadagnino
Cast
Nicole Kidman, Harris Dickinson, Zendaya, Brian Cox
Genre
Psychological Thriller/Drama
Release Date
May 24, 2024 (Cannes Premiere), June 14, 2024 (Theatrical)
Runtime
134 minutes
2. Director and Cast Insights
Luca Guadagnino’s Vision
Guadagnino, known for his lush aesthetics and emotional intensity, called Babygirl “a study of vulnerability masked as control.” He collaborated with intimacy coordinator Ita O’Brien to choreograph the film’s charged scenes, aiming to avoid exploitation while maintaining raw authenticity.
Cast Breakdown
Actor
Role
Performance Highlights
Nicole Kidman
Lena Carter
A career-best performance; chillingly magnetic
Harris Dickinson
James Collier
Nuanced portrayal of naivety and ambition
Zendaya
Emily Carter (Lena’s daughter)
A standout supporting role, embodying generational rage
Babygirl
3. Genre and Themes
Psychological Thriller Tropes
Power Dynamics: Lena’s manipulation of James mirrors corporate exploitation.
Visual Symbolism: Mirrors, tight framing, and cold color palettes reflect emotional imprisonment.
Themes Explored
Taboo Relationships: Is this love, abuse, or transactional obsession?
Corporate Misogyny: Lena’s ruthlessness as a survival tactic in a male-dominated world.
Generational Trauma: Emily’s rebellion against her mother’s legacy.
4. Critical Reception & Box Office
Rotten Tomatoes Scores
Source
Score
Key Quote
Tomatometer
68%
“Kidman is phenomenal, but the script’s ambiguity frustrates.” — IndieWire
Audience Score
53%
“Too uncomfortable to enjoy—what’s the point?”
Babygirl
Box Office Performance
Metric
Details
Opening Weekend
$12 million (US)
Global Total
$48 million (as of July 2024)
Babygirl
5. Audience Reactions
Social Media Poll
Platform
Sentiment
Common Feedback
Twitter/X
Mixed
“Kidman deserves an Oscar, but the plot is bleak.”
Reddit
Negative
“Exploitative and pretentious.”
Letterboxd
3.5/5
“A film you respect more than love.”
Babygirl
6. Behind-the-Scenes Breakdown
Production Challenges
Controversy: Protests erupted during filming over the age-gap premise.
Reshoots: The ending was reworked after test audiences found it “too nihilistic.”
7. Cultural Impact
Babygirl has ignited discourse about #MeToo-era storytelling, with critics split on whether it critiques or glorifies abuse. Feminist scholars praise Kidman’s layered portrayal, while advocacy groups condemn its “ambivalent messaging.”
