Behind the Scenes of “Babygirl”: Harris Dickinson’s Performance

Behind the Scenes of “Babygirl”: Harris Dickinson’s Performance \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Harris Dickinson admits he was initially nervous to approach Nicole Kidman, his co-star in the upcoming erotic drama Babygirl. Despite this, their on-set chemistry became pivotal in portraying the intricate dynamics of their characters. The film, releasing on Christmas Day, showcases Dickinson’s evolving talent and fearlessness in tackling complex roles.

Harris Dickinson and Nicole Kidman: Quick Looks

• Harris Dickinson hesitated to approach Nicole Kidman despite already being cast in Babygirl.
• Margaret Qualley stepped in to introduce the two, breaking the ice.
• Dickinson’s character, Samuel, contrasts his real-life persona, pushing him to explore raw, intimate themes.
• Babygirl examines power dynamics and suppressed desires, with scenes ranging from awkward to exhilarating.
• Director Halina Reijn crafted a daring exploration of relationships and societal expectations.
• Dickinson’s performance earned acclaim, solidifying his place among rising stars in cinema.
• Beyond Babygirl, Dickinson recently directed Dream Space, his debut feature film.

Deep Look

Harris Dickinson has emerged as one of the most exciting young actors in the film industry, consistently surprising audiences and critics alike with his versatile performances. His latest challenge comes in Babygirl, an erotic drama releasing on Christmas Day, where he stars opposite Nicole Kidman. Despite their eventual on-screen chemistry, Dickinson’s initial hesitation to approach the seasoned actress added an unexpected layer to their real-life dynamic.

Dickinson, 28, admitted he was nervous about meeting Kidman, even after being cast as her audacious intern in the film. During a social event, Dickinson found himself unable to initiate a conversation with his iconic co-star. It was Margaret Qualley, another actor and mutual friend, who noticed his hesitation and introduced them, breaking the ice. “She helped me break the ice a bit,” Dickinson shared during a recent interview, reflecting on the interaction.

On set, however, Dickinson had no choice but to shed his reservations and fully embody his character, Samuel, who is audacious, fearless, and socially unaware. The film delves into the taboo relationship between Samuel and Kidman’s character, a high-powered CEO who initially seems reserved and in control. Dickinson’s performance required a willingness to explore raw, intimate, and often uncomfortable dynamics. The result was a character who, as Dickinson described, is “confusing in a really interesting way.” Samuel’s unpredictable nature and unfiltered behavior made him both challenging and exciting to portray.

“He was confusing in a really interesting way,” Dickinson said, adding, “There wasn’t loads of specificity to it, which I enjoyed because it was a bit of a challenge to sort of pinpoint exactly what it was that drove him and made him tick.”

Director Halina Reijn guided Dickinson and Kidman through the film’s bold exploration of power dynamics, suppressed desires, and societal expectations surrounding relationships and intimacy. Reijn crafted scenes that oscillate between awkward and exhilarating, forcing the actors to push boundaries. Dickinson noted that the cast and crew adhered to an unspoken agreement to remain focused solely on their characters while on set, leaving their personal lives and histories at the door. “We didn’t veer away from the material,” Dickinson said. “I never tried to attach all of the history of Nicole Kidman. Otherwise, it probably would have been a bit of a mess.”

Reijn was impressed by Dickinson’s ability to transform himself on camera, describing how he could seamlessly shift between appearing like a vulnerable 12-year-old boy in one moment and a confident, commanding man in the next. The director praised Dickinson for making every scene feel improvised, a testament to his naturalistic and layered approach to acting.

Dickinson’s journey to this point has been as intriguing as his performances. Growing up in Leytonstone, East London—the same neighborhood that Alfred Hitchcock once called home—Dickinson developed a passion for cinema that reflected his working-class roots. He was drawn to films by directors like Mike Leigh and Ken Loach, whose stories resonated with his experiences. His creative journey began behind the camera, producing “really bad spoofs” of popular films and shows with friends, before discovering a deeper connection to storytelling through acting in local theater.

At 17, a suggestion to pursue acting professionally set Dickinson on a path that led to his breakout role in Eliza Hittman’s Beach Rats at age 20. Since then, he’s taken on a diverse array of roles, ranging from an estranged father in Scrapper to a male model navigating absurdity in Ruben Östlund’s Triangle of Sadness. His upcoming projects include portraying wrestler David Von Erich in The Iron Claw and a soldier in Steve McQueen’s Blitz. These roles, like his performance in Babygirl, showcase his ability to tackle complex characters with nuance and fearlessness.

Outside of acting, Dickinson recently completed his directorial debut with Dream Space, a film exploring homelessness in London. The project has given him a deeper appreciation for the collaborative nature of filmmaking and the many people behind the scenes who contribute to a movie’s success. “Acting is just being able to relax,” Dickinson observed, noting how crucial it is to have a safe and supportive environment on set. “When you’re relaxed, you can do stuff that is truthful.”

While Dickinson eventually overcame his initial shyness around Kidman and even discussed her experiences working with legendary directors like Stanley Kubrick and Lars Von Trier, he kept one interpretation of their film’s dynamic to himself. Dickinson revealed that he and director Halina Reijn had contemplated the possibility that his character, Samuel, might not exist at all. Instead, Samuel could be a figment of Kidman’s character’s imagination—a device to explore her internal struggles and desires. “I like that because it kind of means you can take the character into a very unrealistic realm at times and be almost like a deity in the story,” Dickinson said. “We didn’t talk about it with Nicole.”

With Babygirl, Dickinson continues to cement his status as one of Hollywood’s most exciting talents. His fearless exploration of complex themes and his ability to disappear into his characters make him a standout actor of his generation. Whether on-screen or behind the camera, Dickinson’s commitment to storytelling ensures that his work remains compelling, thought-provoking, and utterly unforgettable.

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