Halina Reijn, the writer and director of the upcoming film “Baby Girl,” draws inspiration from her personal experiences to create one of the year’s most provocative scenes. In a particular moment, Harris Dickinson’s character, Samuel, delivers a glass of milk to Nicole Kidman’s character, Romy, at a bar, instructing her to drink it. This idea originated from a real-life incident that Reijn experienced while performing in Belgium.
In her account, Reijn reflects on a night after a successful performance when she felt self-assured and decided to engage with a well-known younger Belgian actor. Though she initially opted for a non-alcoholic drink, the actor’s bold choice to order her a glass of milk struck her as both attractive and daring. Although the moment was filled with tension, it did not culminate in any romantic encounter, yet it left a lasting impression.
Reijn notes that milk serves as an archetypal symbol within storytelling, representing raw human instincts. She emphasizes that true eroticism often lies in psychological experiences rather than physical interactions. In her narrative, the more stimulating content emerges from psychological suggestion and intimate gestures, rather than explicit sexual action.
In “Baby Girl,” Kidman portrays Romy, a powerful CEO who jeopardizes her career through a passionate affair with Samuel, who is significantly younger. This narrative explores the complexities of workplace relationships and the implications they can have on personal and professional lives.