Nicole Kidman Unveils Intense Off-Screen Bond with Harris Dickinson in the Seductive Power Play of Babygirl

Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson’s sizzling chemistry in Babygirl is undeniable, but behind their powerful on-screen performances lies an intense off-screen connection that makes the film’s exploration of power, intimacy, and desire even more captivating. In this darkly seductive drama, Kidman portrays Romy Mathis, a middle-aged CEO who embarks on a torrid affair with Samuel (Harris Dickinson), a much younger intern. Directed by Halina Reijn, Babygirl is an exploration of the vulnerabilities and complexities of human emotions, with Kidman and Dickinson’s off-screen relationship being key to their onscreen dynamic.

In a special ScreenCraft conversation moderated by Variety’s Jenelle Riley, Reijn and Kidman reflected on their unique creative process and the trust that made the film’s raw performances possible. Reijn credited Kidman’s openness as essential to the emotional depth of Babygirl. “It’s magical,” Reijn shared. “I have somebody here in front of me that I can ask any detail, any emotion…. I look into her eyes, and she already gets it.”

For Kidman, this partnership is more than just a director-actor relationship; it’s about the melding of two spirits. “The two of us together would make the performance,” she explains. “Because she’s written it, she’s directing it, and I’m doing it. So it requires this kind of melding of spirits in a weird way.” The raw emotional intensity between Kidman and Dickinson comes from this shared sense of vulnerability and mutual understanding.

To create the complicated and passionate relationship between Romy and Samuel, Kidman and Dickinson forged a deep off-screen bond. The two actors took time to ask each other personal questions, establishing a trust that allowed them to immediately tap into the intimacy required for their roles. “It was tempestuous inside me. It was penetrating my psyche, my dreamscape…. I expanded as a person by playing the role,” Kidman admits. Dickinson echoes the sentiment, recognizing how their off-screen connection was crucial for the depth of their performances.

Reijn highlights a particularly climactic scene in a hotel room that encapsulates the emotional core of the film. “It really helps that they knew each other at that point,” she notes. By the time they filmed this pivotal scene—the last one to be shot—the connection between Kidman and Dickinson allowed them to make quick emotional shifts and fully embrace the complexities of their characters. “That gave all the different layers and enabled them to play and make these really quick shifts and emotions,” says Reijn.

For aspiring actors and filmmakers, Reijn offers insightful advice: “Come up with a question that scares you, that makes you nervous, but you’re really curious to know.” By writing it down, she suggests, you set an intention that aligns with your soul. “It’s all about our spiritual intention,” she explains. “No matter what other people will think of our movie, [or] how many people will buy a ticket. We hope, of course, for the best, but in the end, all we can do is have a pure intention that aligns with [our] soul.”

Kidman agrees, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and openness in creating powerful art. “When people talk about bravery, it’s not bravery—it’s just curiosity and staying completely open.” This openness is at the heart of Babygirl, where trust, connection, and vulnerability come together to create a film that is as emotionally complex as it is seductive.

Babygirl is set to release on December 25, and with its potent performances and exploration of power dynamics and desire, it’s poised to be a film that leaves a lasting impression. Fans of Kidman, Dickinson, and Reijn will undoubtedly find themselves captivated by the chemistry and emotional depth that permeates every frame.