Who Stars Alongside Nicole Kidman In Erotic Thriller

Thanks to its premiere at the Venice International Film Festival, Babygirl made waves ahead of its theatrical release — and it helps that it boasts an all-star cast. Directed by Halina Reijn (Bodies Bodies Bodies), the Nicole Kidman-led erotic thriller centers on Romy, a high-powered CEO who finds herself entangled in a high-stakes affair with her much younger intern, Samuel (Harris Dickinson). Although Romy is mostly satisfied with her long-time marriage to Jacob (Antonio Banderas), something is missing when it comes to desire and sex. Hailed as one of the best erotic thrillers in years, Babygirl explores complex power dynamics.

Not only does the film feature an age-gap romance, but Babygirl plays with the characters’ positions of power. While Kidman’s Romy is in charge in the workplace, the ever-confident Samuel takes control elsewhere. The character-driven narrative easily makes Babygirl one of Nicole Kidman’s best movies, though it also leaves ample room for Dickinson, an alum of projects like The Iron Claw and Triangle of Sadness, to flex his acting chops. Without a doubt, Babygirl excels in large part because of its talented ensemble, who are driven to mine every nuance of the narrative by the assured Reijn.

Nicole Kidman As Romy

Date Of Birth: June 20, 1967

Actor: Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Nicole Kidman’s breakthrough in Australia came with roles in the 1989 projects Dead Calm and Bangkok Hilton. Soon after, she became an international star thanks to hits like Far and Away, To Die For, Batman Forever, Practical Magic, and Eyes Wide Shut. Kidman won an Academy Award for playing Virginia Woolf in The Hours and went on to receive acclaim for projects like Moulin Rouge!, Rabbit Hole, The Others, Australia, and Big Little Lies. Now one of the world’s highest-paid actors, Kidman has also won a BAFTA Award, two Emmys, and six Golden Globes.

Character: In Babygirl, Kidman plays the film’s protagonist, Romy. A high-ranking CEO, Romy finds herself drawn into an affair with her intern, which allows the erotic thriller to interrogate the nature of power dynamics — both in and outside the workplace.

Harris Dickinson as Samuel

Date Of Birth: June 24, 1996

Actor: Born in London, England, Harris Dickinson got some minor parts in British TV series like Some Girls and Clique. In 2017, Dickinson landed his breakout role in the coming-of-age drama Beach Rats. After his award-nominated turn in Beach Rats, the actor appeared in Trust and The King’s Man, and he lent his voice to The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. Dickinson’s popularity surged thanks to star-making performances in the Palme d’Or-winning Triangle of Sadness, Brit Marling’s psychological thriller series A Murder at the End of the World, and the much talked-about The Iron Claw.

Character: Dickinson stars opposite Kidman in Babygirl, playing the young yet confident intern Samuel. After a chance run-in with Kidman’s Romy on the street, Samuel just so happens to be one of the CEO’s new mentees — and one half of the movie’s forbidden romance.

Antonio Banderas as Jacob

Date Of Birth: August 10, 1960

Actor: Born in Málaga, Spain, Antonio Banderas caught the attention of director Pedro Almodóvar while performing onstage. In a twist of fate, Almodóvar went on to provide Banderas with his film debut in 1982’s Labyrinth of Passion. Later, the actor became an international star thanks to ’90s hits like The Mambo Kings, Philadelphia, Interview with the Vampire, Assassins, Evita, and The Mask of Zorro. Banderas has also appeared in numerous family films, including the Spy Kids, Shrek, and Puss in Boots series. In addition to working with Almodóvar, Banderas collaborated several times with Robert Rodriguez, making classics like Desperado.

Character: In Babygirl, Banderas plays Romy’s long-time husband, Jacob. So far, not too much is known about Jacob’s role or personality in the film.

Sophie Wilde as Esme

Date Of Birth: February 22, 1998

Actor: Born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, Sophie Wilde gained attention in Australia for her work in series like Eden and You Don’t Know Me. However, the young actor’s breakout role came in Danny and Michael Philippou’s Australian horror film Talk to Me. Since then, Wilde has appeared in The Portable Door, Tom Jones, Everything Now, and Boy Swallows Universe. Wilde is set to play an undisclosed role in the upcoming film adaptation of Ubisoft’s Watch Dogs video game series.

Character: So far, not too much is known about Wilde’s character. Based on the Babygirl trailer, Esme appears to be Romy’s assistant — and someone who wrongly believed that having a woman in charge would correct workplace power dynamics.

Gaite Jansen as Hedda / Scarlett

Date Of Birth: December 25, 1991

Actor: Born in Maastricht, Netherlands, Gaite Jansen comes from a family of filmmakers, so she knew she wanted to pursue acting even at a young age. The actor’s breakout role came in 2011, when Jansen starred in the acclaimed arthouse film 170 Hz as a deaf teenager. Jansen’s other notable credits include a several-episode stint in the Cillian Murphy-starring Peaky Blinders, a role in the police procedural Line of Duty, and a starring turn in the Cinemax series Jett.

Character: Ahead of Babygirl‘s release, very little is known about Jansen’s role(s) as Hedda/Scarlett.

Babygirl’s Supporting Cast & Characters

Nicole Kidman’s Erotic Thriller Features A Solid Ensemble

Izabel Mar as Anna: Known for roles in Showing Up and FBI: Most Wanted, Mar plays the role of Anna in Babygirl.

Esther McGregor as Isabel: Ewan McGregor’s daughter, Esther McGregor, has appeared in Obi-Wan Kenobi and Clea DuVall’s High School, she will play the role of Isabel in Kidman’s latest film.

Vaughan Reilly as Nora: Best known for playing Maude Ivory in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Reilly plays Nora in Babygirl.

Victor Slezak as Mr. Missel: Slezak, who is known for films like The Bridges of Madison County and The Devil’s Own, plays Mr. Missel.

Anoop Desai as Robert: A former American Idol contestant, Desai became widely known as an actor for his work in What We Do In the Shadows before appearing in Babygirl as Robert.

Bartley Booz as Tom: Booz, who features in projects like The Good Fight and Turn: Washington’s Spies, plays Tom in Babygirl.

Maxwell Whittington-Cooper as Josh: Best known for his work in When They See Us, Mrs. Fletcher, The Sympathizer, and Rustin, Whittington-Cooper plays Josh in Kidman’s upcoming movie.

Leslie Silva as Hazel: Providence and Poker Face actor Leslie Silva plays the role of Hazel in A24’s erotic thriller.

Dolly Wells as Therapist:Doll & Em co-writer and star Dolly Wells plays a therapist in Babygirl.