Warning: this article contains spoilers for Babygirl.
There’s an overlooked moment inBabygirlthat is significant in setting up Nicole Kidman’s fate as Romy. Following its December 2024 release,Babygirlhas already become one A24’s biggest box office hits, and its popularity is unsurprising given its phenomenal lead performance. Beyond Nicole Kidman’s leading role,Babygirl’s castalso features several well-known names and newcomers who play important roles. The erotic thriller sees Romy Mathis (Kidman) begin anaffair with her much younger intern Samuel (Harris Dickinson), ignoring the dangers of her actions.
Though Romy outwardly seems blissfully married to her husband, Jacob (Antonio Banderas), she is secretly very unhappy with what their intimacy has become. With Samuel, Romy is able to experience sexual satisfaction for the first time. However, their affair has consequences, asRomy risks her high-power job and her loving family by sneaking around with her much younger lover. When Jacob finds out about Romy’s affair and their marriage seems broken beyond repair,Babygirlgives Romy a positive ending, and an earlier moment in the movie helps set it up.
Romy’s Daughter Is In A Surprisingly Similar Situation To Her
Image via A24
Midway throughBabygirl, Romy and her family leave the city to relax in their country house, and one night she sees her daughter, Isabel, kissing a girl from a neighboring house. The next morning, Romy asks Isabel why she was kissing the neighbor when she has a steady girlfriend back in the city, but her daughter just shrugs the question off. Isabel seems not to care about cheating on her girlfriend, despite Romy’s concern about her daughter’s behavior.
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This scene, though a very small part of the movie, actually has massive implications. Isabel’s behavior can be seen as a less intense version of Romy’s actions with Samuel. Similarly, Romy’s concern about Isabel kissing another girl and the feelings of her girlfriend at home provide insight into Romy’s view of infidelity.It establishes that Romy is well aware that cheating on her husband, Jacob, is wrong, and she knows that she’s hurting him. Aside from the guilt that this moment points to, it also subtly sets up Romy’s decision at theend ofBabygirlto work towards reconciliation.
Isabel Helps Romy & Jacob Reconcile Their Relationship In Babygirl
Isabel Helps Remind Her Mom Of What Is Important
After Jacob eventually learns of Romy’s affair, she leaves their house in the city and isolates herself at their country house. Subsequently, Isabel visits her to ask her to come home, but Romy is unwilling to go, knowing how much she hurt her husband. Isabel details how miserable Jacob and the rest of her family are without her, butRomy does not believe that she deserves their forgiveness. However, after asking Isabel what happened with her relationship, Romy ultimately changes her mind.
When Romy hears that it was possible for Isabel’s girlfriend to forgive her cheating, Romy realizes it may be possible for Jacob to forgive her affair with Samuel because of how much they truly love each other.
While Isabel’s cheating scene seems very brief in the wider context of the movie,Romy’s conversations with her daughter about the moment help shape Romy’s desire for forgiveness. When Romy hears that it was possible for Isabel’s girlfriend to forgive her cheating, Romy realizes it may be possible for Jacob to forgive her affair with Samuel because of how much they truly love each other. Thus, Romy finally decides to return home to Jacob and work on repairing the damage to their marriage, allowingBabygirlto end on a positive note.
Babygirl
Cast
Babygirl revolves around a high-powered CEO who risks her career and family by engaging in a passionate affair with her much younger intern. Released in 2024, this narrative explores themes of ambition, power dynamics, and personal sacrifice.
