Sophie Wilde

Babygirl (2024): “That’s Magic.” – Nicole Kidman

Posted on by Jack Drees

“Babygirl” is written and directed by Halina Reijn (Bodies Bodies Bodies, Instinct) and stars Nicole Kidman (Being the Ricardos, The Northman), Harris Dickinson (Beach Rats, Trust), Sophie Wilde (Everything Now, Boy Swallows Universe), and Antonio Banderas (Shrek 2, The Mask of Zorro). This film is about a CEO who puts her career and family on the line when she has an affair with a much younger intern.

I saw “Babygirl” at an AMC Theatres location. If you have been to an AMC in the past few years, you may know that Nicole Kidman has served as a bit of a mascot for the brand. I am not completely in love with this, as her spots make up part of the reason why the previews at AMC are so neverendingly long. Honestly, I would be happy if they get rid of the AMC spots containing Kidman altogether. Some see these spots as an anthem, but I find them to be an annoyance. Amazingly, during my screening of “Babygirl,” they did not play one of the Nicole Kidman spots on top of the other 26 or so minutes of theatre promotion and trailers and such. I was a bit perplexed. As much as I hate those ads, I think seeing one of them play before this film in particular would have set the mood.

That said, it does not change the fact that I was rather excited for “Babygirl.” The trailers I have seen for the film are well produced, and allowed me to have high expectations for what was to come. I had a sense of what the movie was about before going in. I think if anything, the trailers did a great job at letting the audience know what the vibe was going to be. The marketing looked fun, compelling, and perhaps most importantly, sexy. After all, desire plays a major part in this film’s narrative, particularly when it comes to the state of our protagonist, Romy.

“Babygirl” is going to end up being one of the more memorable movie experiences I have had this year. It is not my favorite movie of the year, but it is an experiential event. And it all starts at the beginning of the film when we see Romy’s major problem. The film impressively highlights Romy’s lack of desires with her husband (Banderas) and her struggle to fulfill herself in her sex life. We see this part of the story flesh itself out over time and it unleashes some great acting from both Kidman and Banderas. The two perfectly portray a couple who happen to be on a bit of a decline.

“Babygirl” delivers the vibes I was hoping I would get out of “Challengers.” A lot of people love “Challengers,” but I was not one of them. “Babygirl” is easily the steamiest film I have seen this year. This is a film that I would recommend watching, but I would think twice before putting it on when your parents, or especially your grandparents are in the same room. I think this could make for a hot movie to set the mood on date night. This is especially noticeable with the fiery chemistry between Nicole Kidman’s Romy and Harris Dickinson’s Samuel. Their boss/intern connection eventually develops into something not as necessarily safe for work. Several scenes between these two do much more than satisfy. They also beautifully fit within the context of the story. They help us get to know each of the characters. They remind the audience of Romy’s internal struggle. Both actors are completely believable as said scenes play out. Harris Dickinson was not on my radar previously. Although he had a role in 2022’s “See How They Run,” which I gave a positive review. Dickinson is not just good in this movie, I cannot see anyone else playing his specific character. I left this film wanting to see more of his work. If there is another Harris Dickinson movie coming out, consider me interested.

Now judging by what has been said so far, you might think that I will remember this movie for its eroticism. While that is definitely this movie’s top selling point, the film is layered when it comes to fleshing out its protagonist. I must reiterate, Nicole Kidman is a knockout in this film. She gives a powerful performance that I hope gets plenty of buzz in the coming months. But I love how this film manages to make its main character a CEO. We see Romy in a position of power at work. At home, she is busy raising a family and pleasing her husband to the point where she forgets to take care of herself. Additionally, this film is set around the holidays, which is traditionally a hectic time of year. Romy is busy being this wise, helpful presence in other people’s lives that when all of a sudden Samuel enters her own life, she cannot help but submit to him. I mentioned this film is steamy, but sex is just a selling point. As a character piece, “Babygirl” sings.

Though in more ways than one, “Babygirl” is easy on the eyes. The film has a clean look to it. The color palette looks like something out of an insurance commercial, but I mean that as a compliment. The film is certainly picturesque with some vibrant locations and sets. The camerawork is also very good. The shot choices consistently deliver on immersion. Select shots go on for extended periods of time, allowing me to take in and digest the actions of said shots. There is also one shot in the film that starts in the air and slowly navigates down to several of the characters as they walk through a yard. It is a breathtaking series of images.

Again this movie is set around the holidays, and it does maintain a joyful look to it, even if a good portion of it is spent inside a corporate office. In a sense, kind of like the holidays, the movie has a vibe that meets somewhere in the middle of noticeable stress and occasional happiness. Every moment in this film maintains a brisk pace and there are scenes I practically leapt into the screen. There is one scene at a rave that is arguably worth the price of admission. Although fair warning, if you have trouble with flashing lights, I recommend maybe sitting this movie out. For all I know, “Babygirl” could become a Christmas tradition for some people. Maybe not with the family. But I think if you are either by yourself or with your partner, this could make for a great watch around the holidays. While the films have their notable differences, I think “Babygirl” could even serve as part of a double feature with “Eyes Wide Shut.” After all, both films are associated with sexuality, feature Nicole Kidman, and are set around Christmas! It’s perfect! Also, as the Movie Reviewing Moron, I do not endorse watching “Eyes Wide Shut” with the family either. That’s a no-no.

Courtesy of A24 – © A24

In the end, “Babygirl” is 2024’s sexiest movie. Nicole Kidman gives a standout performance as Romy. The rest of the cast is also quite solid. Harris Dickinson also notably plays his role to perfection. The film is a great balance between vibes and characterization. I do recommend this film under the right circumstances. Again, do not watch if your parents or grandparents are in the room. Same goes if you have kids. But if you are in the right place at the right time, “Babygirl” is a must see. I am going to give “Babygirl” an 8/10.

“Babygirl” is now playing in theaters everywhere. Tickets are available now.

Thanks for reading this review! My next review is going to be for “A Complete Unknown,” the brand new movie starring Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan. If you want to see this review and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Babygirl?” What did you think about it? Or, what movie do you watch every year around the holidays? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!

Talk to Me (2022): A Great Horror Concept and Story That Go Hand in Hand

Posted on by Jack Drees

“Talk to Me” is directed by twin brothers Danny and Michael Philippou, also known for their YouTube channel RackaRacka, which is dedicated to horror comedy. This film stars Sophie Wilde (Eden, You Don’t Know Me), Alexandra Jensen (Beat, Frayed), Joe Bird (First Day, Rabbit), Otis Dhanji (June Again, Aquaman), Miranda Otto (The Thin Red Line, War of the Worlds), Zoe Terakes (Wentworth, Nine Perfect Strangers), Chris Alosio (Surviving Summer, The Messenger), Marcus Johnson (The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee, Power Rangers: Ninja Steel), and Alexandria Steffensen (Eden, Neighbours). This film follows a group of friends who become obsessed with conjuring spirits using an embalmed hand. When things go too far, they must deal with the calamity that ensues.

My goto social media platform, if you can call it that, is YouTube. Despite its growing problems and greed in recent years, it remains one of the best sites on the Internet for sharing content. In fact, the story of how “Talk to Me” can likely trace back to the directors’ days of doing horror comedy on YouTube. I love how one’s activity and commitment to a simple platform people utilize for cat videos, or in my case, elevator rides and entertainment-related content, can one day lead to a big feature film like this. I have heard a little bit about this film before going into it, particularly nothing but good things at the time. Although it was a bit of a mystery as to how I would end up taking it.

Overall, I thought “Talk to Me” is both a clever concept and quite a good movie. When it comes to horror films, one of the common things that get in the way of characters happen to be their own curiosities. Sometimes as a viewer, it kind of takes me out of the movie when said curiosity happens because I can easily see a scare coming once said curiosity comes up. Something like that may occasionally make the film a bit less scary than I would wish it to be. But the way the curiosity is handled in “Talk to Me” is perfect. The curiosity ultimately regards everyone’s obsession with a hand that allows them to talk to spirits. This allows for some interesting interactions not only amongst the social group, but as for the one holding the hand, they have their individual experience with whoever is on the other side. I admire how the script handles the variation across the board. Despite being a horror film, the variation allows for moments that do not feel completely scary, and despite causing some occasional tonal shifts, they never feel jarring.

I am not going to pretend that this is is the scariest horror title I have ever seen. But that does not mean it is bad. For one, the creeps this film emits, are effective. When they are there, they work. But I was mostly interested in how this film handles its characters, concept, and how those things mesh together. In fact, when it comes to the overall intrigue of the film, I was immersed from scene one. “Talk to Me” may have my favorite hook I have seen of any film I have watched in 2023. As soon as a particular action happens around the one to two minute mark, I was sold. I wanted more.

With the straightforward hook that effectively thwarts itself into the nitty gritty, it should not come as a shock that “Talk to Me” is perfectly paced, which definitely helps with the short runtime. It never overstays its own welcome. It just gets to killer and avoids filler. There is not a moment of this film where I felt outright tired or bored.

There are a number of characters in “Talk to Me,” so if you had to ask me who my favorite was, that would not be an easy decision to make. Although I must say the entire cast in this film gives it their all. Everyone had genuine chemistry and felt like they belonged in their roles. This film mostly centers around Sophie Wilde’s character of Mia, and she is excellently portrayed. Sophie Wilde is a young individual with only a few credits. Additionally, she is from Australia, where this movie is set and shot. I have no idea where her career will take her. Maybe she will end up in Hollywood, maybe not. But I am glad this movie put her on my radar because she is a talented actress. I think if she keeps things up, we could be talking about her a lot more in upcoming years. Other enormous standouts in the cast include Joe Bird (Riley), Alexandra Jensen (Jade), and Miranda Otto (Sue). That said, the rest of the cast, for the most part, is great too.

What makes the handling of this movie’s concept great is how it utilizes the large cast to their full potential. The effects of the movie do not just have to do those who interact with the hand themselves, but their connections with each other. In this film’s case, curiosity does not just kill the cat, it kills the clowder. And when the turmoil amongst the clowder ensues, it adds to the film’s overall intrigue.

I also kind of dig the end of the film. I am not going to spoil anything for those who have not seen it. But not only is it kind of eerie, kind of disturbing, but it is also clever. The final few minutes is a quite a chain of events that not only emit chills, but serve as a perfect conclusion for a number of the characters’ arcs.

When breaking down the idea behind “Talk to Me,” it is simple. But it does not mean it is not effective. This film is twisted, haunting, and at the same time, kind of weirdly heartfelt in select moments. At the end of the day, this is a movie about a bunch of teenagers who take a dare too far and perhaps appear to not know any better. Have I seen scarier movies? Absolutely. But from start to finish, I was hooked. I admired the connection between our world and the spirit realm if you want to call it that. And I would recommend watching this movie with the lights down. If you dare.

In the end, “Talk to Me” is a film that I feel I cannot share a whole ton about, but that is also why you have to see it. Not a beat a dead horse, this is not the scariest film I have ever seen despite how effectively everything is handled. This film kind of feels more disturbing than it is terrifying. There are one or two moments of the film where certain things play out that had me thinking I somehow had been hypnotized into joining someone’s cult. The characters are great, the script is really good, and the direction from the Philippou brothers is masterful. I hope to see more from these two down the road. I am going to give “Talk to Me” a 7/10.

“Talk to Me” is now playing in theaters everywhere. Tickets are available now.

Thanks for reading this review! If you enjoyed this review, why not check out my other ones? If you are still in on the Barbenheimer craze, I have you covered as I have my thoughts on both “Oppenheimer” and “Barbie” now available for your reading pleasure! What did I think of this year’s biggest double feature? Click the links to learn more.

My next review is going to be for the brand new DCEU film, “Blue Beetle!” The cinematic universe may be on its last legs, but is this movie good enough to help this timeline stand on said legs? We shall see. Also coming soon, I have reviews coming for “Strays,” “Gran Turismo,” “Meg 2: The Trench,” and “Bottoms.” Stay tuned! If you want to see this and more from Scene Before, follow the blog either with an email or WordPress account! Also, check out the official Facebook page! I want to know, did you see “Talk to Me?” What did you think about it? Or, what is your favorite horror movie concept? Let me know down below! Scene Before is your click to the flicks!