Director of 'Babygirl' reveals that the milk scene is based on her own experience
Occasionally, the most captivating cinematic tales spring from reality—even when they feature a romantic glass of... milk. Indeed, milk. This unusual choice is what Harris Dickinson's character offers Nicole Kidman's character in the provocative new thriller "Babygirl." The film's director, Halina Reijn, reveals this curious encounter mirrors her own life experience.
Within the narrative, Samuel (Dickinson), who is both Romy's (Kidman) youthful intern and lover, surprises her by ordering a glass of milk at the bar. As Romy sips the milk, Samuel utters "good girl" before making his exit.
"The milk serves as an archetype," Reijn explained to IndieWire in a recent interview. "It's a recurring motif in cinema. It embodies our primal instincts. This happened to me."
Reijn recounted her own adventure, recalling an evening in Belgium years prior. Alone in a bar, she encountered a "young Belgian actor," whom she chose not to name but described as renowned and significantly younger than herself.
"He ordered a glass of milk for me. I found it incredibly audacious and thrilling, so I drank it all to reward his boldness," she recounted. Despite feeling "a bit queasy" afterward, Reijn acknowledged it as one of the most electrifying moments of her life, a sentiment that influenced the scriptwriting process.
Interestingly, the enigmatic actor never murmured "girl good" to her, unlike Samuel's words to Romy in the film. "I wish he had," Reijn mused. "He simply departed."
"Babygirl," released on Christmas Day, chronicles the tumultuous affair between Romy, a formidable CEO, and her much younger intern, Samuel. The film stars Nicole Kidman, Harris Dickinson, Antonio Banderas, and Esther Rose McGregor.
So, here's to unexpected cinematic inspirations.
