Nicole Kidman's Hot “Babygirl” Photo Surprises Venice Film Festival

The Venice Film Festival has finally met Halina Reijn Girl.

A24’s erotic thriller had its world premiere at the Palazzo del Cinema on the Lido on Friday night. The packed house in the Sala Grande responded with a wild standing ovation for star Nicole Kidman and her cast of collaborators Harris Dickinson, Antonio Banderas and Sophie Wilde. The audience leapt to their feet as the credits rolled with warm, enthusiastic applause and cheers for the cast, especially Kidman. The standing ovation continued for a full seven minutes with waves of applause and cheers greeting Kidman as she stood up, waved to the crowd and walked out of the theater. “You nailed it!” shouted one audience member. “You nailed it! This is a killer erotic thriller!”

The romance began early when Kidman and crew arrived on the scene. Fans lined up at the barricade erupted in applause when she made her entrance in a stunning Schiaparelli Couture creation that featured a nude organza bustier corset embroidered with black sequins that cascaded into black fringing. The look, designed by Daniel Roseberry, was paired with a long black velvet skirt and stilettos. Kidman greeted Reijn, dressed in a white cape, and the two reunited for a warm embrace. Dickinson wore a Bottega Veneta suit while Wilde looked spectacular in a custom Loewe look with a black silk veil.

The premiere was a well-attended and star-studded affair, thanks in large part to Armani hosting many of his house ambassadors and guests, including Camila Mendes, Lili Reinhart, Chase Stokes, Ella Purnell, Odeya Rush, Ncuti Gatwa, Madisin Rian, Kaya Scodelario, Eva Green and more.

Girl follows Romy, a powerful and sophisticated New York City CEO, as she jeopardizes her career and family when she begins a torrid affair with a much younger intern. Kidman plays the executive, a woman who has never found true pleasure with her sweet and caring husband, played by Banderas. Dickinson plays the employee, Samuel, while Wilde plays Esme, Romy’s assistant. Reijn directed the 108-minute film from his own screenplay and also produced it alongside David Hinojosa and Julie Oh. The A24 film is scheduled for release on December 25.

In a revealing interview with The Hollywood ReporterReijn said Girl was explicitly inspired by 1990s sex thrillers, particularly the work of Paul Verhoeven.Basic Instinct, Fatal Attraction, 9 1/2 Weeks, Indecent Proposal“Not only because they were fun at the time, but also because I felt really taken into consideration by them, strangely enough, even though they were all directed by men and had a sometimes not-so-friendly view of women,” explained Reijn, who added that her aim was also to bridge the “orgasm gap” in Hollywood.

Reijn, who also directed Bodies Bodies Bodies per A24, she later added that there seems to have been a cultural shift away from sexuality out of fear. “But I think there's a general need and hunger for it, a need to look at sex honestly and see the humor in it. We have all these new rules about consent, which are awesome and super important. But at the same time, we're still animalistic and we still have to look at that part of ourselves. I think that's where this desire to make these films comes from.”

At Friday's press conference, Kidman began by saying that it is a liberating story told through the female gaze, and touches on themes of “desire, inner thoughts, marriage, truth, power and consent.” She called it a “very profound and liberating” experience to be in the hands of a female author like Reijn. It's paying off in early reviews, as THR Chief film critic David Rooney praised Kidman in the role for her “physical and psychological fearlessness.”

“I think what made it so compelling was being in Halina's hands. [as my director]because I knew he wouldn't exploit me. I mean, whoever he plays, I didn't feel exploited. I felt very much a part of it. It's the story I wanted to be a part of, that I wanted to tell, and every part of me was committed to that,” she added.

For her part, Dickinson praised Kidman as “a living legend.” She added, “In building my character, I worked with her confusion as a young woman, representing her generation. Also, we had a wonderful intimacy coordinator who really helped us with the process.”

While she said she felt “exposed, vulnerable and scared” on the eve of the presentation Girl in the world, may feel a sense of relief now, depending on the audience reaction. After the world premiere, A24 will host a party for the film at the iconic Hotel Cipriani, which has become the hottest ticket at this year's festival so far.