5 Most Controversial Nicole Kidman Intimate Scenes That Defined Her Career, Including Her New Erotic Thriller 'Babygirl'

Nicole Kidman, one of Hollywood's most versatile and celebrated actresses, has never shied away from challenging, complex, and often highly intimate roles throughout her decades-long career. As of December 2025, the conversation surrounding her on-screen intensity has reached a fever pitch with the release of her latest erotic thriller, Babygirl, where the actress herself admitted to having to take breaks during the filming of intense scenes with co-star Harris Dickinson.

From the psychological maze of Stanley Kubrick’s final masterpiece to the gritty, emotionally charged dramas of modern television, Kidman’s willingness to explore the depths of human relationships, desire, and trauma has consistently placed her at the center of intense public and critical discussion. This deep dive explores the most talked-about intimate scenes that have shaped her filmography and cemented her status as a daring cinematic force.

Nicole Kidman: A Brief Biography and Defining Filmography

Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1967, to Australian parents, Nicole Mary Kidman AC, began her career in Australia with films like Bush Christmas and BMX Bandits in 1983. Her breakthrough came with the 1989 thriller Dead Calm, followed by her Hollywood debut in Days of Thunder (1990), where she met her first husband, Tom Cruise.

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A recipient of numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, six Golden Globe Awards, and two Primetime Emmy Awards, Kidman has consistently chosen roles that push boundaries. Her filmography is a testament to her range, featuring iconic performances in:

• Early Hits: Flirting (1991), Billy Bathgate (1991), and To Die For (1995).
• Controversial Dramas: Eyes Wide Shut (1999), Dogville (2003), Birth (2004), and The Paperboy (2012).
• Oscar Wins/Nominations: Moulin Rouge! (2001), The Hours (2002) (winning the Oscar for Best Actress), Rabbit Hole (2010), and Lion (2016).
• Recent Television Success: Big Little Lies (2017–2019) and The Undoing (2020).

The Current Buzz: 'Babygirl' and the Filming Intensity (2024/2025)

The most recent and highly discussed chapter in Nicole Kidman's career involving on-screen intimacy is her starring role in the erotic thriller Babygirl, directed by Halina Reijn. The film, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival, centers on a high-powered CEO, played by Kidman, who begins a dangerous affair with her young intern, played by Harris Dickinson.

The intimate scenes in Babygirl were so intense that Kidman openly discussed the mental and physical toll they took. She revealed in recent interviews that she had to request a pause in filming due to the sheer number and intensity of the sex scenes. The actress credited the director, Halina Reijn, for fostering a safe environment, which was crucial for navigating the demanding nature of the role and the on-screen chemistry with Dickinson.

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This candid discussion highlights the evolving conversation around intimacy coordination and actor well-being in Hollywood, especially when dealing with explicit material. The film itself is a modern exploration of power dynamics and forbidden desire, themes that naturally require a high degree of vulnerability from its lead actors. The buzz around Babygirl confirms that even after decades in the industry, Kidman continues to seek out roles that challenge both her and the audience's comfort levels, making it a definitive addition to her legacy of controversial performances.

The Unforgettable Legacy of 'Eyes Wide Shut' (1999)

No discussion of Nicole Kidman's intimate scenes is complete without addressing Stanley Kubrick's final film, the psychological drama Eyes Wide Shut. Starring Kidman and her then-husband, Tom Cruise, the film explores a married couple's sexual anxieties and infidelity over a single night.

The movie is legendary not just for its complex narrative and Kubrick's meticulous direction, but for the intense, often controversial, intimate scenes between Kidman’s character, Alice Harford, and Cruise’s character, Bill Harford. The most talked-about sequence is Alice’s candid confession of a sexual fantasy involving a naval officer, which acts as the catalyst for Bill’s subsequent nocturnal odyssey.

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The filming process itself became part of the cinematic folklore. Reports suggested that Kubrick required the couple to perform over 50 different takes for some of the sex scenes, and there were strict rules about them not discussing the process off-set. The film’s notorious masked orgy scene was also a point of controversy, with the US version requiring digital obscuring of nude actors to secure an R rating. Eyes Wide Shut remains a benchmark for cinematic eroticism and a powerful, albeit demanding, moment in Kidman's career, showcasing a raw and unflinching look at marital intimacy and betrayal.

The Trauma and Tension of TV Dramas: 'Big Little Lies' and 'The Undoing'

While her film roles often garner the most attention, Nicole Kidman’s television work has also featured deeply challenging and controversial intimate content, particularly in her collaborations with writer David E. Kelley.

The Abuse in 'Big Little Lies' (2017–2019)

In the HBO series Big Little Lies, Kidman played Celeste Wright, a wealthy, seemingly perfect wife trapped in a cycle of domestic abuse with her husband, Perry (played by Alexander Skarsgård). The series featured numerous scenes depicting the violent and sexually abusive nature of their relationship. Kidman’s portrayal earned her an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe, but the scenes were difficult to film and watch. The actress spoke publicly about the emotional and physical toll of shooting the abuse sequences, emphasizing the importance of portraying the complex reality of domestic violence. The intensity of these moments was crucial for the show’s success and its powerful commentary on trauma and female solidarity.

The Psychological Weight of 'The Undoing' (2020)

Kidman’s subsequent HBO hit, The Undoing, also delved into psychologically fraught relationships. While not as sexually explicit as some of her other work, the series, where she played Grace Fraser, featured moments of intense marital tension and emotional intimacy with co-star Hugh Grant. The subject matter—a murder mystery centered on a seemingly perfect, privileged marriage—required a sustained level of psychological vulnerability. Kidman revealed that the stress of internalizing her character's trauma and the intense filming schedule left her physically ill, underscoring the deep commitment she brings to these demanding roles.

The Art of Vulnerability and Topical Authority

Nicole Kidman's willingness to inhabit characters that explore the full spectrum of intimacy, from the psychologically traumatic to the explicitly erotic, is a hallmark of her career. Her recent work in Babygirl, alongside the enduring legacy of Eyes Wide Shut and the emotional depth of her TV roles, demonstrates a career-long dedication to art over comfort. The discussions around her intimate scenes—whether about the on-set process, the resulting controversy, or the critical acclaim—consistently reinforce her topical authority as an actress who uses vulnerability as a powerful cinematic tool. The conversation surrounding her roles serves as a vital commentary on power, desire, and the complex realities of human connection in modern storytelling, ensuring that her performances remain relevant and highly debated for years to come.