Standing ovations at film festivals have become something of a sport—obsessing over the length of applause. Case in point: Joker: Folie à Deux with its 11-minute applause at Venice or the breathless accounts of Pedro Almodóvar’s The Room Next Door and its 17-minute marathon. But let’s not forget Pan’s Labyrinth, famously applauded for 22 minutes at Cannes.

This year’s Venice Film Festival, known for its drama, served up a particularly saucy dish with Babygirl, Halina Reijn’s latest offering via A24. Nicole Kidman stars as a high-powered CEO who jeopardises everything for a torrid fling with her younger intern, played by Harris Dickinson. Instead of a sweet office romance, this one turns into a ticking time bomb, leading to a surprising seven-minute standing ovation at the Sala Grande. Despite the looming disaster, the film’s reception reveals a continued fascination with Kidman’s compelling portrayals of self-destruction.

In Babygirl, Kidman once again plunges into emotional turmoil, following her acclaimed roles in Big Little Lies and The Undoing. Her performance as a CEO caught in a scandalous affair is a study in grace and gut-wrenching conflict.

On the red carpet, Kidman shone alongside co-stars Antonio Banderas and Sophie Wilde, while director Reijn shared a heartfelt moment with Kidman amid the applause. Reijn noted that while the film explores themes of feminine desire, it also addresses existential questions, reflecting the deeper implications of self-sabotage.

With a Toronto International Film Festival screening ahead of its US release on Christmas Day, Babygirl promises to stir conversation and intrigue, offering a provocative addition to Kidman’s repertoire. Whether you’ll want to unwrap it is another matter entirely. One thing’s for sure: it’ll leave plenty to discuss over the mince pies.

So, if you’re in the mood for a show that’ll keep you awake at night—both in contemplation and unease—pour yourself a cup of something strong, dim the lights and sink into the emotions of this film. You won’t regret it.