The Best Sex Scenes In ‘Babygirl’ Ranked By A Sex Therapist

There was a lot of sex in Babygirl. Like, a lot. The movie kicks off with Nicole Kidman moaning in the background, which pretty much sets the tone for what’s to come (no pun intended). From steamy moments dripping with tension to some that were a little more… niche (sorry, I’m not into pet play), the film didn’t hold back. And while many of the scenes were undeniably delicious (the finger in the mouth moment?? Yum.), not all of them hit the same.

What stood out, though, was how the movie tackled female desire. While the representation of kinks may have been a bit chaotic — like it was trying to check off a “spicy bingo” card — it was refreshing to see a film created by women fully embrace the complexity of female sexual yearning.

“The scenes take sex, desire, and the forbidden to a more serious level, with the underlying message of not denying a darker side of the self — if we should even be calling it a ‘darker’ side,” Dr. Debra Laino, a board-certified clinical sexologist and relationship therapist, tells Betches.

And because Dr. Laino is the professional, we decided to ask her to rate her favorite sex scenes in Babygirl — because sometimes you need the experts to weigh in.

7. The End Scene

Image Credit: A24

Ironically, this last sex scene was also Dr. Laino’s least favorite out of the bunch. In this scene, Romy and her husband are seemingly back in good graces and finally having sex the way she wants. She’s still thinking about Samuel and that dog, but hey, at least she’s getting off, right?

“This felt like the finale of a woman becoming awakened to herself and at the same time being able to disconnect from the reality of who she is as she is blindfolded (which adds a layer of internalized anonymity),” Dr. Laino says.

This is lower on the list because although she enjoyed seeing Romy’s growth, she wishes there was a little less “anonymity” shown.

6. Romy Puts A Pillow Over Her Face

Image Credit: A24

When she’s in the thick of her affair with Samuel, Romy is in bed with her husband and asks him to have sex with her while she puts a pillow over her face.

“This was about shutting out the thoughts in her head,” Dr. Laino says. “A way to try and be present in the moment and connect with the pleasure.”

5. The Hotel Montage

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You see so much of Romy’s and Samuel’s sexual dynamic here. Plus, this is the scene where he sticks his fingers in her mouth!!

“Power, women’s sexuality, and pleasure is the focus here,” Dr. Laino says. “This scene really takes the viewer on a journey of where this could go next.”

And surprise! “Next” was more sex!

4. The Pool Scene

"baby girl" nicole kidman

Image Credit: A24

This scene is a little nuts plot-wise because Romy’s life is falling apart because of her affair. And how does she choose to cope? By having sex with her accomplice in her family pool. But it was hot enough to rank No. 4 on Dr. Laino’s list merely because of the seduction included.

“Exploring her body underwater brings a new level to eroticism and vulnerability,” she says.

3. The Fake Orgasm

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While Romy faking an orgasm with her husband 0.2 seconds into the movie was sad, it was still done really well.

“This scene was powerful as Romy runs into the other room to bring herself to orgasm while watching porn, Dr. Laino says. She explains that it brought up so many questions about her relationship with her husband that really drew readers in (for example, why couldn’t they just use a vibrator?).

2. The Gritty Hotel Scene

Image Credit: A24

Okay, for some people (including Dr. Laino), this scene was everything they look for in a sex scene. In this scene, she and Samuel are in a shady hotel, and she’s struggling with whether or not she really wants to do this. And, of course, let’s not forget she ends up eating candy out of his hand like a dog.

“Lots of dominance here, but, at the same time, surrender,” Dr. Laino says. “This appeared to be a scene where her authentic self was coming out, and she was getting connected to a side of her sexuality that she was never able to connect to.”

Dr. Laino explains that this scene was so hot for people because you could see how authentic this felt to her. And, of course, the hotel itself added a whole additional level of “dirtiness” to the scene.

1. The “Father Figure” Dance

Image Credit: A24

Ah, this scene. After a night out clubbing on molly, Samuel and Romy are in a hotel room, and he’s dancing for her to “Father Figure” by George Michael.

“This scene screamed vulnerability and self-connection with Samuel while Romy watched,” Dr. Laino says.

Not only could you feel the connection between the characters, but Dr. Laino explains that the scene was erotic because you also saw a shift in the power dynamic between Romy and Samuel. Plus, it kind of challenges societal norms around masculinity — and everyone knows that’s what the girlies truly want to see.