Babygirl has received a divisive Rotten Tomatoes audience score, setting a shocking record for Nicole Kidman. The erotic thriller, directed and written by Halina Reijn (Bodies Bodies Bodies), delves into the life of Romy, a powerful tech CEO in New York who embarks on a dangerous and impassioned affair with her younger intern, Samuel (Harris Dickinson). The Babygirl cast also features Antonio Banderas and Sophie Wilde, who join Kidman in a story exploring Romy’s sexual repression and journey to self-acceptance.
Babygirl has a 55% Rotten Tomatoes audience score, making it part of an unexpected trend of audience misfires for Kidman this year. Despite Kidman’s compelling performance, which helped the erotic film achieve a 77% Rotten Tomatoes score among critics, the audience response to her recent films, including Netflix’s Spellbound and the rom-com A Family Affair, reveals a surprising disconnect for an actor known for her command of acclaimed and award-winning roles.
What Babygirl’s Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score Means

It’s A Divisive Year For Kidman

While Babygirl earned critical praise for its exploration of power dynamics and emotional complexity, its 56% audience score underscores a trend of polarizing reactions to Kidman’s 2024 movies. Nonetheless, Screen Rant’s Alex Harrison gave the erotic thriller a glowing 9 out of 10 review, commending Reijn’s “wicked sense of humor” and the “great acting” from Kidman and Dickinson, contenting the film is “fascinating to watch.”
However, after Spellbound’s 51% audience score and A Family Affair’s audience score of 30%, both of which fared worse with critics, Kidman’s 2024 output highlights a stark divide between her critical acclaim and broader audience reception. Known for embracing unconventional roles, the star has built a celebrated career by taking creative risks with visionary auteurs between high-profile blockbusters. For instance, she followed Robert Egger’s Viking epic The Northman in 2022 with DC’s Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom in 2023.

Kidman Films In 2024

RT Audience Score

RT Critic Score

Babygirl

56%

77%

Spellbound

51%

45%

A Family Affair

30%

36%

Over nearly four decades, Kidman has demonstrated her versatility across a wide range of genres. She has made a name for herself by seeking eccentric roles in risky projects like Kubrick’s erotic thriller Eyes Wide Shut (1999), where Babygirl pulls inspiration from, and Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge! While this approach has solidified her reputation as one of the most daring actresses of her generation, it also means that some projects may struggle to resonate with broader audiences. Her 2024 scores thus reflect the challenges of balancing artistic ambition with mainstream appeal.
Our Take On Nicole Kidman’s 2024 Rotten Tomatoes Record

Bold Choices Keep The Conversation Alive

Kidman’s 2024 movie year may be defined by divisive audience reactions, but it’s also a testament to her fearless commitment to challenging and unconventional roles. With Babygirl, she continues to explore narratives that defy traditional expectations, tackling complex themes with a boldness that has long defined her career.

Related

Where To Watch Babygirl: Showtimes & Streaming Status

The thriller Babygirl, which stars Nicole Kidman, Antonio Banderas, and Harris Dickinson, is one of the final theatrical releases of 2024.

While audience scores suggest a disconnect with some viewers, they also highlight the creative risks Kidman is willing to take in pursuit of an ambitious story. This approach has consistently set her apart in an industry often reliant on formulas, franchises, and adaptations that are more likely to guarantee broad audience appeal.
Babygirl sparks conversation with a unique, character-driven story that, as Screen Rant’s Harrison notes, “forces us [to] look beyond their easily digestible packaging.” Her ability to surprise and challenge audiences remains one of her greatest strengths, proving that taking risks is often the most powerful move an artist can make.
Source: Rotten Tomatoes

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A high-powered CEO risks everything when she embarks on a passionate and illicit affair with her much younger intern.

Release Date

December 25, 2024

Runtime

114 Minutes

Character(s)

Romy
, Samuel
, Jacob
, Esme
, David
, Hazal
, Robert

Director

Halina Reijn

Writers

Halina Reijn

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