'Babygirl' review: Nicole Kidman shines in holly jolly erotic thriller

(NEXSTAR) — All the way back in 1999, Nicole Kidman starred alongside then-husband Tom Cruise in Stanley Kubrick's "Eyes Wide Shut," an erotic psychological drama that happens over the Christmas holidays. Twenty-five years later, Kidman's back in an erotic thriller during the most wonderful time of the year, this time in director Halina Reijn's ("Bodies Bodies Bodies") tense and titilating "Babygirl."

The film follows CEO Romy (Kidman), who is in charge of her life in every way — except in her marriage. Romy has been married to Jacob (Antonio Banderas) for many years but he's never been able to give her what she wants in the bedroom. Given Romy's demanding job (and the couples' two young daughters), it's a problem that's easy to forget about.

But then a handsome and enigmatic young intern begins at Romy's company.

Soon, Romy can't stop bumping into Samuel (Harris Dickinson) and a steamy and dangerous game of power and control begins. In Samuel, Romy gets everything she wants in bed but will it cost her everything else?

With a script also written by Reijn, "Babygirl" expertly balances its tension and its comedy, offering just enough fantasy of the forbidden within the real-world moral complexities it presents. Romy is a female CEO in a world where still only about 10% of Fortune 500 companies are run by women and while the film touches on the damage Romy's actions could do to other corporate women, it doesn't delve too far into the questions of whether or not Romy should have to represent all women in power.

And while that would have been an interesting direction to take the film, Reijn keeps the focus intimate and relatively non-moralistic. This is Romy's story and what matters to the film is whether her desires will be her undoing. While there are worthwhile explorations to be had around the behind-closed-doors-behavior of women in power vs men in power, the film's ultimately more successful and more fun for not trying to make a statement about any of these things.

Some might find the movie a little hollow for this reason but those who were excited by the torrid trailers and the idea of Nicole Kidman in a soapy affair story won't be disappointed. "Babygirl" delivers what it promises.

Chief among the film's many strengths are the performances by Kidman, Dickinson and Banderas. Kidman, now 20 years removed from her Best Actress win, has a strong case for inclusion in this year's Academy Awards conversation, owing to a meticulously considered performance. From beat to beat, Kidman expertly pulls back or goes further into emotions and mannerisms, all while changing into and out of the various conflicting identities Romy's battling within. It's the kind of acting you'd expect from any actor of Kidman's prestige but it's nonetheless still impressive to see in action. It's a feat that at 57, and after a long and varied career, Kidman is still leveling up. But we're very lucky to get to see it.

Dickinson, meanwhile, pushes what could have been played as a one-note fantasy archetype into something more perplexing, seductive and real. Dickinson is obviously hot — and Reijn films him accordingly — but Samuel the character is more than just a body and face. As Romy and Samuel's meetups intensify, Dickinson is given more space to charm and confuse both Romy and us. It's easy to understand why Romy can't resist but there's also a red flag waving somewhere in your head wondering if he's taking the game too far.

Though Banderas has fewer scenes than Kidman and Dickinson, he dazzles and devastates at multiple points, particularly in the film's explosive climax. It's difficult to discuss Banderas' performance without potentially spoiling too much, so we'll just say that Banderas seems likely to turn up in a Best Supporting Actor category this season and it'll be a deserved nomination.

"Babygirl" is a fun (and ultimately kind of sweet) ride for all the adults this holiday season. Though the film is somewhat tame in the amount of nudity and sex we actually see, it still goes without saying that this is probably one to catch while you send the kids into "Mufasa: The Lion King."

"Babygirl" is in theaters nationwide Christmas Day.

Score: ★★★★☆