Nicole Kidman recently discussed her involvement in the A24 psychosexual drama Babygirl, a film that explores a romance between an older woman and a younger man. In an interview with Zendaya for Variety’s Actors on Actors, Kidman explained that she was immediately drawn to the project, especially after hearing its title. “As soon as I heard it was called ‘Babygirl,’ I’m like, ‘Yeah. I want to be the babygirl,’” she said.
In Babygirl, Kidman portrays a CEO who embarks on an affair with her much-younger intern, played by Harris Dickinson. The film, which premiered in theaters on Christmas Day, has sparked conversations about age-gap relationships, a theme that has been controversial in Hollywood. Historically, films have often depicted younger women paired with older men, but the recent rise in films where older women are romantically involved with younger men marks a shift in narrative.
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Other films that embrace this trope include The Idea of You, Family Affair, and Lonely Planet, with big names such as Anne Hathaway, Laura Dern, and Kidman herself starring in these productions. These films, which feature older female leads paired with younger men, have resonated with audiences, particularly women who seek to see women depicted as fully realized sexual beings reclaiming their identities.
Robinne Lee, author of the book The Idea of You, which was adapted into a film, emphasized the importance of such stories. “Women want to see other women as fully fleshed out characters reclaiming their sexuality,” Lee explained. “Why can’t we do it, too?” Martha Lauzen, founder of the Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film, pointed out that these films often showcase powerful, self-assured women who are more comfortable with themselves, which makes their romantic encounters feel fresh and empowering.
Some experts suggest that these narratives also reflect broader societal shifts. Brenda Weber, a gender studies professor, pointed out that the depiction of older women having fulfilling sexual lives could be seen as a counterpoint to the growing concerns over women’s reproductive rights. These films, especially those starring talented, older actresses, reflect a push to extend the sexual empowerment and desirability of women beyond traditional age expectations.
Despite these positive portrayals, some scholars remain cautious. While they appreciate the empowering nature of these films, they also note that the characters often tend to be conventionally beautiful and highly successful. In contrast to past depictions, such as in Sunset Boulevard, where an older woman’s infatuation with a younger man leads to tragic results, today’s films seem to present a more balanced, humanized perspective on such relationships.
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The surge in age-gap stories starring older women in 2024, such as Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy and others, indicates that this trend may continue. However, experts like Lauzen warn that while this could lead to more such films, the overall gender dynamics in Hollywood still favor younger women in leading roles.
Nevertheless, there is hope that these stories will normalize older women in relationships with younger men, making it just another option in the diverse range of romantic narratives. “The more familiar you are with it, the more it becomes like just another couple,” said Robinne Lee, reflecting on the changing landscape of film representation.
Kidman herself reflected on this shift during the premiere of Family Affair, where she discussed how the trend of older women dating younger men has often been stigmatized. “Because of the nature of the world, it’s always been older men and younger women,” she said. “Everyone’s like, ‘Oh my gosh’ … and I think that needs to be kind of demystified.”
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