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Kidman Admits Confusion Over Kubrick's 'Eyes Wide Shut' Masterpiece
11 Oct
Summary
- Kidman didn't fully understand Kubrick's 1999 film 'Eyes Wide Shut'
- Kidman asked Kubrick about the film's meaning, but he refused to explain
- Kidman and Cruise were "happily married" during filming, but Kubrick may have been "mining" their relationship
According to a 2025 interview with Vogue, acclaimed actress Nicole Kidman, now 58 years old, did not fully grasp the meaning behind Stanley Kubrick's 1999 psychological drama 'Eyes Wide Shut', in which she starred alongside her then-husband Tom Cruise. Kidman recalled having to directly ask Kubrick about the film's significance, but the legendary director firmly refused to provide any explanation.
The erotic thriller, which also featured Sydney Pollard, Marie Richardson, and Alan Cumming, explored themes of infidelity within a couple's relationship. Kubrick, who directed, produced, and co-wrote the film, passed away six months before its release at the age of 70.
In the same Vogue interview, Kidman drew a humorous parallel between 'Eyes Wide Shut' and her more recent film 'Babygirl', noting that one movie "ends with the word f---" while the other "ends with the actual action", reflecting the breadth of her diverse career.
During a 2020 interview with The New York Times, Kidman provided further insight into her and Cruise's experience working with the meticulous Kubrick. She recalled that they "loved working with him" and were "happily married" at the time, even going go-kart racing together after filming intense scenes. However, Kidman acknowledged that Kubrick may have been "mining" their real-life relationship to "inform the relationship" between the two lead characters.
