The Venice premiere of Babygirl, an edgy thriller sometimes referred to as Bad Girl or Baby, drew a seven-minute ovation from the audience, a moment captured and reported by Deadline. The extended standing acclaim underscored the film’s bold reception on the Lido, signaling strong early momentum for what’s positioned as a provocative and suspenseful experience on screen.
The premiere was a high-wattage event, attended by a constellation of international stars and industry figures. Nicole Kidman, Antonio Banderas, Sophie Wilde, Harris Dickinson, and the film’s director Halina Rein—who also stars in the project—were among those in the audience. Eyewitnesses noted that the applause continued unabated until the very last crew member departed the hall, a testament to the palpable energy in the room as the credits rolled.
Babygirl centers on a high-powered general manager at a major corporation. Nicole Kidman portrays this executive who finds herself entwined in a tumultuous romance with a much younger intern. The narrative is driven by tension and risk, exploring themes of power, desire, and consequence as a professional life collides with a personal and perilous passion. The production is backed by A24, the studio behind acclaimed titles such as Reincarnation, Everything Everywhere All at Once, and Ex Machina, among others, adding a pedigree of genre-bending storytelling and ambitious filmmaking to the project.
Early critical reception has been favorable, with the film earning notable praise from reviewers and audiences alike. The response includes high scores and strong sentiment about its craft, with aggregate indicators reflecting a positive reception. Critics have described Babygirl as a bold entry that pushes boundaries in both performance and narrative approach, inviting viewers to confront uncomfortable truths within a stylish thriller framework.
Kidman has acknowledged that her involvement in Babygirl presented a different challenge compared with her long and storied career. She initially felt apprehensive about certain explicit moments, yet she emphasized that the character’s arc offers uncharted territory and that audiences around the world will witness scenes that push viewers to reconsider what they expect from intimate on-screen dynamics. Her portrayal is positioned as a departure from past roles, highlighting a commitment to risk-taking and nuanced character work that resonates with contemporary storytelling norms.
As the Venice festival continues to unfold, stories of ovations and conversations around Babygirl contribute to a broader dialogue about contemporary thrillers and the kinds of experiences that dominate global film conversations. The festival landscape often serves as a proving ground for performances and projects that aim to challenge conventional boundaries, and this premiere appears to fit that mold by inviting debate and discourse among critics, festival-goers, and industry professionals.
In addition to Kidman’s involvement, the ensemble cast and the creative team behind Babygirl have drawn attention for their shared willingness to push cinematic limits. The collaboration between director, actors, and studio partners is shaping expectations for a film that seeks to leave a lasting impression on audiences looking for bold, character-driven suspense. The Venice debut thus marks a pivotal moment in the project’s journey from screen to international conversation, with anticipation mounting for subsequent festival screenings, wider release strategies, and critical consensus as the film travels beyond its premiere setting. Researchers and fans alike are keen to see how Babygirl will perform against contemporary thrillers and where it will land in year-end discussions about daring, performance-led cinema. Attribution: Deadline, festival press coverage.