Nicole Kidman Reveals She Sustained ‘Bruises’ While Filming Big Little Lies

Nicole Kidman immerses herself so completely in her roles that she bears the physical evidence of her performances.

“Sometimes I find it quite draining to navigate all those intense and profound emotions — it genuinely affects your health since your mind doesn’t recognize the difference,” Kidman, 57, revealed during her Variety “Actors on Actors” discussion with Zendaya on Friday, December 13. “You’re genuinely experiencing it, and it’s necessary to have methods for releasing that.”

The Oscar-winning actress opened up about how filming the HBO series Big Little Lies — which aired for two seasons from 2017 to 2019, with a third season in development — was especially taxing on her. “It took a real toll on my body and mind because I struggled to distinguish reality from fiction,” she explained. “It was just, ‘Oof. This is challenging.’” (Kidman portrays Celeste in the series, who faces abuse from her husband, Perry, played by Alexander Skarsgård.)

She elaborated: “I ended up with real bruises across my back, body, and legs. My mind would signal, ‘Wait, you’re injured.’ So, I practice cleansing techniques for my chakras, meditate, and smudge with sage. Honestly, I’m like, ‘I’ll do whatever it takes. Just help me move forward free from scars, damage, or wounds,’ which may sound insane, but it’s not.”

Kidman experienced a similarly “intense” situation while filming her upcoming movie, Babygirl. This film, set to release in theaters later this month, depicts Kidman as a CEO who jeopardizes her family and career by engaging in a passionate affair with a young intern, portrayed by Harris Dickinson.

“Some scenes from Babygirl that we filmed didn’t make the final cut, but they contributed to the emotional weight of the project, and after a time, it became draining,” she reflected. “Also, it was deeply unsettling, in a sense.”

Balancing self-care alongside her dedication to her craft is something Kidman admits she struggles with. “I’m still learning not to overlook my own well-being for the sake of the art, as part of me feels compelled to do so. Additionally, I need to appreciate my own worth. It’s a continuous journey,” she explained.

Discussing Babygirl in an October interview with Variety, Kidman acknowledged the challenge of the filming process. “Given the film’s nature, it was either completely vulnerable and exposed, or you’d end up feeling guarded, which would hinder its impact,” she shared. “When I spoke with [director] Halina [Reijn], I asked for a safe environment, and I hoped to avoid looking foolish.”

Amid the physical and emotional challenges during production, Kidman described Babygirl as a “very liberating film” in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter earlier this month. “Some viewers have called it the most disturbing film they’ve ever seen, which makes me think, ‘Oh no, I apologize for that,’” she remarked.

Kidman expressed her enthusiasm to present a fresh perspective on female narratives in cinema. “Women are often overlooked at specific points in their careers regarding their sexuality. It was truly gratifying to be represented in such a manner,” she noted. “From the first moment I read the screenplay, I thought, ‘Yes, this is a unique voice, and this character navigates a landscape I haven’t explored, and I suspect audiences haven’t either.’ She wields significant power but grapples with her identity, desires, and aspirations, even when it appears she has everything. That’s incredibly relatable.”

Babygirl is scheduled for release on Wednesday, December 25.