Cinema Reawakens Desire: How Babygirl Sparks Bold Kink Dialogues

Halina Reijn’s Bold Film Dances Past the Erosion of Screen Sex

Reawakening Audiences’ Appetite for Boundless Eroticism

The cinematic landscape has seen a notable dip in explicitly sexual scenes, but Halina Reijn’s latest erotic drama is turning heads, igniting a fresh surge in viewers’ desire for ​kink-positive storytelling​.

• Sharp, sensual storytelling that challenges conventional taboos
• Intimate character arcs that celebrate sexual freedom
• Cinematic techniques that immerse audiences in an evocative world

Why This Film Matters

By weaving a narrative that embraces both erotic depth and kink appreciation, the movie redefines the genre’s boundaries, offering a welcome respite from the current quiet on screen.

Intense Beginnings of “Babygirl”

Vivid Opening Sequence

From the very first frame, the film plunges into a storm of yearning and constraint.
After a shared intimate moment with her husband, Romy Mathis slips into a secluded, dim room. There, beneath the soft glow of her laptop, the screen flickers with scenes of dominance and submission. She then engages in an urgent, self‑kicking act of pleasure, seeking genuine release.

In a compressed span of seconds, these simmering tensions—between desire and skepticism, performance and self, longing and discomfort—are laid bare before the title card appears, setting the tone for the film’s exploration of sexual liberation.

Related

• Euronews Culture’s Film of the Week: “Babygirl” – Nicole Kidman shines in this sex‑positive BDSM drama.

Reimagining Desire: Nicole Kidman, Harris Dickinson, and the Bold Narrative of “Babygirl”

In the latest work from Dutch auteur Halina Reijn, the story centers on a high‑ranking CEO of a robotics firm who finds herself entangled in a BDSM‑infused romance with an eager intern, Samuel, played by Harris Dickinson. The tale takes off when the protagonist spots him calmly handling a snarling dog outside her office, sparking a passionate spark that threatens to unravel the world she has meticulously curated.

Turning Classic Motifs on Their Head

• Adultery, workplace dynamics, and power imbalance—time‑tested themes—are reexamined from a distinctly female perspective.
• Reijn flips the script, offering a narrative that delves into the rapid, often chaotic, textures of feminine longing.
• The film stands in dialogue with 1980s classics like 9½ Weeks, Fatal Attraction, and Disclosure, yet it rewrites them with fresh eyes.

The Current Landscape of Sexuality on Screen

Stephen Follows of the Economist reports a staggering 40 % decline in sexual content across Hollywood productions since 2000. Roughly half of today’s movies contain no explicit scenes at all. Nevertheless, younger viewers—those aged 10‑25—express a strong preference for plots driven by platonic interactions. More than 62 % of this demographic see sexual content as unnecessary for advancing storylines, according to UCLA’s “Teens and Screens” study.

Are We Back in the Age of Sensual Audacity?

Film releases that unabashedly embrace eroticism—such as Babygirl, Nosferatu, Queer, and Anora—force a reexamination: Is there a resurgence of sexual content in cinema? Moreover, are these stories paving the way toward more authentic portrayals of kink and passion?

More unconventional sex please!

Refreshingly Wild: How “Babygirl” Surprises Online Critics

In the bustling world of film discussions, “Babygirl” has become a hot topic, gathering a mix of unfiltered enthusiasm and imaginative commentary.

Not Your Ordinary Cinema Experience

• “No Ordinary Seat in the House” – a standout note from Letterboxd’s user community, capturing the film’s unexpected charm.
• “We’re Bought Here for the Magic” – exemplifies the fervor critics feel when watching the movie.

From Classic Journalism to Modern Memes

While the film might not find itself under the meticulous scrutiny of iconic film critics like Pauline Kael, digital dialogues have sprinted to form a unique identity. The streaming of passionate reviews and playful memes has amplified the film’s allure, turning it into a fresh cult phenomenon.

New Direction for On‑Screen Sexuality

More Subtle Depictions in Modern Filmmaking

Babygirl challenges the conventional expectations of sexual content. Rather than explicit portrayal, the film relies on atmospheric montages—most notably one set to George Michael’s “Father Figure”—to convey the evolving dynamics between the protagonists. Full, penetrative sex appears only briefly, and the film eliminates male nudity, a point critics highlight as a departure from mainstream aesthetics.

The emphasis shifts to the nuanced, often awkward yet endearing moments that characterize a dominant/submissive relationship. For instance, a scene shows the dominant partner laughing after instructing the submissive to kneel, underscoring a bond that feels both authentic and relatable.

Some viewers wonder why the film feels understated, yet others find this approach liberating, allowing sexual imagination to thrive without overt explicitness.

Director’s Perspective on the “Less Is More” Philosophy

Reijn explained to W Magazine that “sex is not merely a collision of bodies.” He highlighted that the movie contains only a couple of brief sexual acts, with the majority of the narrative dedicated to emotional depth and mystery. He noted attending scenes where a character stands alone in a corner or devours candy out of a hand—moments that feel unexpectedly shocking but truly ground the story in realism.

Future Trends: Character Development Over Explicitness

This minimalist attitude is part of a broader shift in cinematic sexual storytelling. Producers are now prioritizing:

• Deep character arcs that anchor sexual scenes
• Realistic dialogue and consent practices
• Hidden, complex emotions that enrich every intimate interaction

What Younger Audiences Want

Dr. Alisha J. Hines, research director at UCLA, reported that Gen Z’s most popular films of 2024 seldom center on romance or sex. Instead, titles such as Wicked, Inside Out 2, Moana 2, and Dune Part 2 emphasize:

• Friendship and family ties
• Mental health narratives
• Fantasy and imaginative storytelling

These elements resonate because they feel more authentic to young viewers.

The Rise of Intimacy Coordinators

Intimacy coordinators have become essential on set, ensuring scenes are choreographed with performers’ comfort in mind. Their role is to safeguard actors while maintaining the director’s vision.

Industry Reflections in a Post‑MeToo Landscape

As the industry continues to confront its past, there is a growing call for female directors to reshape erotic cinema. Pioneering voices like Reed Amber stress the importance of moving beyond the male gaze prevalent in traditional film. She argues that unrealistic sex scenes mislead audiences and contribute to widespread issues such as dissatisfaction and the orgasm gap.

Reimagining erotic content through this lens offers a pathway to more honest, consent‑based, and inclusive narratives.

Hollywood’s Young Audience Demands More Inclusive Storylines

While steamy scenes continue to headline Hollywood releases—think the gut‑wrenching drama of Love Lies Bleeding and the provocative revelations in Poor Things—adolescents are calling for stories that better reflect the diversity of their lives.

What the Youth Are Saying

• Authenticity over convention: Teens want characters who navigate gender and sexuality outside the traditional labels.
• They emphasize realistic portrayals that respect the depth of queer experiences.
• Storylines that challenge traditional romance tropes resonate more strongly with this generation.

Recent Film Highlights

Notable recent titles showcase this trend:

• Love Lies Bleeding – a film that keeps the audience on edge with raw, unapologetic sexual moments.
• Poor Things – explores queer identity alongside complex female narratives, adding layers to its erotic content.

Expert Insight

In an interview, Hines remarked:

“More young people than ever are experimenting with their gender identities and sexual orientations. Traditional romantic and sexual narratives often fail to capture the nuance of their authentic, lived experience.”

As Hollywood continues to produce bold new characters, the conversation moves toward stories that truly mirror the evolving identities of its audience.

Tackling the taboos of BDSM

Unpacking the Depiction of BDSM in Modern Cinema

Babygirl has sparked intense conversations around its portrayal of power dynamics in the context of domination and submission (D/s) relationships. The film’s exploration of kink is part of a broader cinematic trend that ranges from the artistic depths of The Duke of Burgundy and Secretary to the critiques raised by Fifty Shades of Grey.

Key Takeaways from the Genre

• Consent is the cornerstone: Every D/s interaction hinges on mutual agreement and negotiation.
• Power exchange beyond the bedroom: The relationship can embody protection, discipline, or punishment—not solely physical intensity.
• Common pitfalls in representation: Filmmakers often highlight the sensational aspects of BDSM while overlooking its emotional and ethical dimensions.

The Spectrum of D/s Experiences

Consider the spectrum from delicate psychological support to more intense, structured pain rituals. Regardless of the flavor, each interaction revolves around the proton exchange of security and control—a concept that is frequently misrepresented when audiences assume BDSM is uniformly “extreme.”

Looking Forward

Box office success and critical acclaim are no longer limited to the algorithmically sensational content. Audiences are increasingly craving authenticity and appropriate context in their portrayal of kink cultures.

Exploring BDSM Representation in “Secretary” (2002)

The 2002 film Secretary has long been a topic of debate among scholars who study sexual practices and media. Recent commentary has highlighted how the movie illustrates both alluring fantasies and dangerous pitfalls of entering BDSM for the first time.

Key Points from the Expert

• Authentic portrayal of new‑beginners – The storyline shows characters who are unfamiliar with kink, struggling to navigate their desires.
• Warning of physical and emotional risks – The film concludes with negative outcomes, yet it offers no guidance on safer ways to explore BDSM.
• Absence of healthy negotiation and aftercare – A crucial element missing is the mutual check‑ins and thoughtful aftercare that practitioners recommend.

Expert Commentary

Dr. Stefani Goerlich, a clinical sexologist, remarked:

“I think that Babygirl does an excellent job of portraying two people, new to BDSM/kink, trying to understand and act on their desires. Unfortunately, it shows the risks and pitfalls of stumbling into kink—without calling them out—so the result is a film that accurately depicts how newcomers can get themselves into trouble, but it is not a positive portrayal because it lacks critical analysis of how to do things correctly.”

Illustrated Scenes

One critical scene features the protagonist, Samuel, negotiating with Romy. The tension escalates when he threatens applying a professional transfer that could jeopardize Romy’s career if she refuses. This scenario highlights:

• The transition from negotiation to coercion.
• The lack of an agreed-upon safe word or boundary.

Additionally, the film briefly touches on Romy’s traumatic childhood, hinting at a cult background—an early example of the kink-as‑trauma trope. Despite this, the director, Reijn, remains non‑judgmental, offering a narrative that strives to destigmatize “shameful” sexual desires.

Changing Perceptions of BDSM

Reed suggested that contemporary audiences are shifting away from the stereotype of BDSM as merely painful and dark. He believes media should reflect:

• Relational dynamics – BDSM is fundamentally relational, not solely sexual.
• Asexual kink – It is entirely possible to engage in power exchange without penetrative sex.

Dr. Goerlich echoed that a film demonstrating

• Real negotiation.
• Continuing check‑ins during scenes.
• Appropriate aftercare.

would revolutionize representation, benefiting both kinky and mainstream audiences through improved relational communication.

Current Availability

Babygirl is currently showing in cinemas, dually offering viewers a glimpse of the erotic scene alongside critical perspectives on safety and consent.