012 - Babygirl
In this episode of The Screenplay Lab, Jeff Barker deconstructs the provocative and award-winning screenplay for Babygirl (2024), written and directed by Halina Reijn and starring Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson. This psychological erotic thriller, produced by A24, subverts the genre by placing a powerful woman at the center of a dark, complex, and unapologetic power dynamic. We explore the screenplay as a literary document, not just a blueprint for the film. From formatting and scene structure to dialogue, symbolism, and raw emotional dynamics, this in-depth exploration offers genuine insight for screenwriters, filmmakers, and storytelling enthusiasts. 📌 In this episode: What makes Babygirl’s screenplay bold and original The use of power, shame, and desire in character-driven storytelling How Halina Reijn formats scenes, montages, and intercut sequences Key screenwriting techniques: pre-laps, interiority, camera direction, and more Dialogue breakdowns that show character tension at its finest Themes of vulnerability, domination, and identity Whether you're writing your first screenplay or are a seasoned professional, this episode offers a fresh perspective on crafting emotionally layered, visually rich, and thematically daring stories. BABYGIRL SCREENPLAY 🎙️ About The Screenplay Lab: Welcome to The Screenplay Lab, where we study and appreciate screenplays as stand-alone literary works, not just blueprints for film. We deconstruct a script in each episode, uncovering what makes it unique and exploring what writers can learn. #screenwriting #filmmaking #movies #screenplay #Babygirl #moviemaking #nicolekidman #halinareijn 📢 Join the Conversation! 💬 Like this episode? Subscribe, rate, and leave a review! ✅ Jeff Barker's Website ✅Video Podcast on YouTube ✅ Instagram ✅ TikTok ✅ Bluesky ✅ Threads ✅ X ✅ Substack Newsletter There are screenplay breakdowns on: Anora (Mikey Madison) by Sean Baker Nosferatu (Lily Rose Depp, Bill Skarsgard) by Robert Eggers Heretic (Hugh Grant) by Scott Beck and Brian Woods A Complete Unknown (Timothee Chalamet, Edward Norton, Elle Fanning) by James Mangold The Substance (Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley) by Coralie Fargeat A Real Pain (Kieran Culkin) by Jesse Eisenberg Conclave (Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow) by Peter Straughan The Brutalist (Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce) by Brady Corbet and Mona Fastvold Us (Lupita Nyong'o) by Jordan Peele (with Curry Barker interview) Babygirl (Nicole Kidman, Harris Dickinson) by Halina Reijn
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