Nicole Kidman revealed in a recent interview that filming the sex scenes for her upcoming erotic thriller, Babygirl, was so physically and emotionally draining that she needed to take breaks during shooting.
There were moments on set where I thought, ‘I can’t fake an orgasm anymore,’” the 57-year-old Oscar-winning actress told The Sun on Tuesday.
She added, “I reached a point where I said, ‘Don’t come near me. I hate doing this. I don’t care if I’m never touched again!’”
In the R-rated film, Kidman portrays a powerful CEO who embarks on an affair with a much younger man, played by Harrison Dickinson. Her on-screen husband is portrayed by Antonio Banderas.
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The Moulin Rouge star revealed that she was “so present all the time” during the sex scenes in Babygirl that it nearly led to burnout. Kidman explained that she often reached a point where she was just “over it.”
She acknowledged the intense emotional connection, saying there was “an enormous amount of sharing, trust, and at times, frustration” between her and her co-stars.
Despite the challenges, Kidman emphasized that she, Harrison Dickinson, 28, and Antonio Banderas, 64, took “enormous care” in telling the story.
“We were all very gentle with each other and supported one another—Harris, Antonio,” she shared.
While they worked closely with an intimacy coordinator for the scenes, Kidman noted that she and her co-stars didn’t feel “confined” by the guidelines, allowing them to fully engage with their performances.
“I’m a strong believer in the sacredness of the set, the actors’ space, and ensuring it’s never violated,” Nicole Kidman shared, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a safe and respectful working environment. “It’s our bubble, and then there’s the world outside.”
The Bombshell star explained that having a female director, Halina Reijn, made a significant difference in her experience. With Reijn at the helm, Kidman felt safe and not exploited. “I don’t think I could have done it with a male director,” she admitted. “The only way I could do this was with Halina. We would sit and talk, and that made all the difference.”
Before filming, Kidman and Reijn, 48, had deep conversations about the actress’s “most secretive desires.” These discussions created a sense of safety and vulnerability, which Kidman deeply appreciated. “We talked about so many personal things, but I knew it was a safe space. I trusted her completely.”
Kidman felt empowered in Reijn’s hands, knowing she wouldn’t be exploited. “I was fully invested in telling this story. It was something I wanted to be a part of, and every part of me was committed.”
Reflecting on the script, Kidman recalled finding it “funny,” but also feeling “turned on” and “hypnotized” by it.
Before accepting the role, Kidman discussed it with her family, including her husband, country star Keith Urban, and their daughters, Sunday Rose, 16, and Faith Margaret, 13. “When you have a family, there’s a kind of agreement you make,” she said. “I told them, ‘I’m going into this, and I’m asking for your permission to let me go.’”
With a family that understands her artistic life, Kidman found balance. “My teenage kids and my husband, who is also an artist, get it. There’s a release into my artistic life, and then I come back to my home, to my real life.”
She added, “But a certain level of letting go is always required.”