Nicole Kidman describes 'Babygirl' as a liberating erotic thriller that left her feeling exposed.

In her new erotic thriller "Babygirl," Nicole Kidman discussed her experience of pushing her limits.

In the film, a 57-year-old actress portrays Romy, a powerful CEO who risks her family and career by engaging in a passionate S&M relationship with her younger intern, Samuel (Harris Dickinson).

At the 2024 Venice Film Festival, Kidman described "Babygirl" as a film that explores themes of sex, desire, inner thoughts, secrets, marriage, truth, power, and consent.

The Academy Award winner said, per Variety, "This is one woman's story, and I hope it is a very liberating one."

Halina Reijn, a Dutch filmmaker and actress, directed and wrote "Babygirl," which was conveyed through a woman's gaze as Kidman explained.

""Being in the hands of a woman with this material was unique to me because it was very dear to our shared instincts and very freeing," she added."

Filming the movie's racy sex scenes made Kidman feel more comfortable because she worked with a female director.

During the press conference, Kidman stated that what made the experience so captivating was being in the care of Halina because she knew she wouldn't take advantage of him, according to People magazine.

"Regardless of how anyone interprets it, I didn't feel exploited," she said. "I felt completely involved in it. It was the story I wanted to be a part of, and I was fully committed to it."

"Romy" also stars Antonio Banderas as her devoted husband, Jacob, and Sophie Wilde as her ambitious executive assistant, Esme, who begins her own relationship with Samuel.

The press conference, held on Aug. 30, was attended by Reijn, Kidman, Dickinson, Banderas, and Wilde.

"Kidman described her co-stars as being very intimate and caring during their journey together, with all of them taking enormous care and being gentle with each other, according to the Associated Press."

During the press conference, Kidman confessed that she experienced some anxiety before showing "Babygirl" to the public.

"Making it with these people here was delicate and intimate," the "Moulin Rouge" star said. "Right now, we’re all a bit nervous. I was like, I hope my hand’s not shaking."

"Eyes Wide Shut," directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring Kidman and her then-husband Tom Cruise, was not her first foray into the erotic film genre. In the 1999 movie, the couple played a married couple whose relationship is tested by jealousy, infidelity, and sexual obsession.

Kidman has starred in several films and TV shows with suggestive content, including "To Die For," "The Paperboy," "Big Little Lies," and "The Undoing."

"This definitely leaves me exposed and vulnerable and frightened and all of those things when it’s given to the world, but making it with these people here was delicate and intimate." — Nicole Kidman

Recently, the Australia native admitted that "Babygirl" was the most "exposing" project of her career. In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Kidman revealed that she hadn't yet seen the film and wasn't sure if she would have the "courage" to watch it for the first time with the audience at the Venice Film Festival.

"Nicole Kidman has acknowledged that many of the themes in her movies have been explored through the lens of sexuality, and she has not tried to eliminate or deny its presence."

She stated that her previous films were revealing, but not to the extent of this one.

During her interview with Vanity Fair, Kidman discussed the filming of the movie's explicit scenes, which were meticulously choreographed with the help of intimacy coordinators. The scenes were rehearsed and changes were made as necessary during filming.

Once the cameras started rolling, Kidman and Dickinson were fully immersed in their performances.

"I never emerged from it completely," Kidman confessed. "It left me in tatters."

At some point, I felt like I didn't want to be touched or continue with it, but I was also compelled to do it. Halina would hold me, and we would cling to each other because it was very confronting for me.

"At some point I was like, I don’t want to be touched. I don’t want to do this anymore, but at the same time I was compelled to do it." — Nicole Kidman

The anticipation of the movie's release was as daunting for Kidman as its production.

"The feeling of having something you usually keep hidden in your home videos suddenly being seen by the world is quite strange," she said.

"As an actor, a woman, and a human being, Kidman felt exposed. She had to put her protection back on and wondered, "What have I just done? Where did I go? What did I do?""

"Babygirl" made Kidman feel apprehensive because she was still without her "armor" on, she told the outlet.

""I'll embrace vulnerability and see where it leads me," she declared."

The film received a seven-minute standing ovation at its premiere at the Sala Grande Theatre in Venice, and Kidman's performance was widely praised, leading to early speculation of an Oscar nomination.

"Babygirl" will be released in theaters on Dec. 25.