Romy and Samuel's relationship and what happens to them

The following contains spoilers for Babygirl, now playing in theaters

Little baby It constantly reveals a subtle and emotionally resonant perspective on the domination affair between Romy and Samuel, building a surprisingly effective theme of self-acceptance. The erotic thriller focuses on Romy, a powerful CEO of a technology company who feels bored with the trappings of her seemingly ideal life. Romy, played by Nicole Kidman, finds an unexpected outlet for these frustrations with Samuel, a new intern at the company who reveals that he understands the desires that Romy has long repressed.

The result is a heated affair that risks destroying Romy's dream life, but which she can't help but throw herself into despite (and partly because of) the risk. Although all the characters in Little baby have small arcs and evolutions throughout the film, all of which are rooted and connected to Romy's personal growth. This gives the film a compelling emotional arc beyond the superficial thrills of the novel and leads to the film's surprisingly emotional and sweet conclusion.

Why Romy stays with Samuel in Babygirl

Personal frustrations lead to unexpected attraction

Little babyRomy and Samuel's central romance is sparked by Romy's frustrations with her personal relationships and professional life, setting the stage for an affair that nearly ruins them both. When the audience is introduced to Romy, she is clearly frustrated. Although she clearly loves her family and is committed to her high-end job at a technology company, she fantasizes about Samuel. As she admits to Jacob after revealing their affair, part of the appeal of the meeting is the "gambles" of risking your career and your family life.

There's a clear level of attraction to the casually dominant Samuel, but it also speaks to his desire to break free from his current status quo. Samuel's confidence, along with his discreet but dominant personality, offers Romy a chance to break away from the traditional state she finds herself in. She doesn't have to pretend to be an innocent lover like she does when she's with Jacob, and she can free herself from the control traps she assumes when she's at work. Romy's affair with Samuel seems to stem from several emotionsall connected through their frustrations with their personal lives.

How Romy's childhood is linked to her current relationships

Romy was never honest with her true desires

Repeatedly throughout Little babyRomy mentions that she has always been fascinated by sexual domination. Although the film never makes it clear whether this stems from any specific experience or perspective she had in her youth, Romy describes having these types of fantasies long before her relationship with Jacob. However, she has become convinced that they are inappropriate and has more or less repressed them during her romance with him. This leaves her sexually frustrated, as seen in the film's opening scene. Although she can still have sex with her husband, she later retreats to the office to masturbate to domination-themed pornography.

One of Romy's big emotional arcs in Little baby is the constant acceptance of your attraction to this interaction of power. Samuel and Romy have an affair that is rooted in consent on both sides, with Samuel refusing to get involved if either of them feels uncomfortable with the situation. He finally talks to Romy and Jacob about the importance of consent, highlighting his very modern views on the dynamic. Romy learning to overcome her own issues about the relationship and sharing them openly with Jacob becomes her major emotional growth in Little babyis ending.

Who discovers Romy's affair with Samuel

The truth about Romy and Samuel damages several relationships in his life

Initially, Romy and Samuel manage to do a good job of keeping their romance hidden from the people in Romy's life. Even Samuel's appearance at Romy's house does not alert her husband or daughters to the true nature of their relationship. Likewise, the pair are able to use Romy's "mentoring" of Samuel as a useful cover for their case. However, throughout the film, several characters eventually discover the relationship. The most emotional is Jacob. When Romy reveals that she had an affair, Jacob is furious that the life they have built together only adds “stakes” to the affair.

The third act of Little baby is largely focused on the consequences of Jacob learning the truthincluding a confrontation with Jacob and eventual reconciliation with Romy. Another person who discovers the truth is Romy's assistant Esme, who is frustrated to discover that her employer is apparently willing to abuse her power and authority in the same way that many unscrupulous male employers do. The film also suggests that one of the bosses at Romy's company knows the truth about the relationship, which leads him to make a thinly veiled pass at her in the film's final scenes.

Does Samuel really love Romy?

Samuel's connection with Romy grows more passionate throughout the film

One of the most enigmatic elements Little baby it's the way the film addresses Samuel's feelings for Romy. Initially, his interest in her appears to be rooted in purely superficial curiosity. Similar to his ability to tame a dog with a few simple words and actions, Samuel's first interactions with Romy imply a casual understanding of what makes her tick. When she tries to put specific rules into their “relationship,” Samuel (temporarily) ends it. Samuel clearly doesn't want something complicatedas seen later when he is also revealed to have a more open and casual relationship with Esme.

However, Samuel becomes more vulnerable as the film progresses. When he takes Romy to an underground club with him, Samuel seems happier than ever. Unlike the disconnection he had in his previous encounters Samuel dances with Romy and is genuinely affectionate. It is clear by the end of the film that Samuel has developed some degree of love for her. However, he is also willing to let this go for the sake of her life, ending things and apologizing for the impact he had on her life with Jacob. This gives their case a bittersweet conclusion.

How Romy's Relationship Drama Mirrors Her Daughter's Romance

An interesting parallel teased throughout the film is that between Romy and her eldest daughter, Isabel. Isabel is initially portrayed as a sarcastic and slightly rebellious teenager, who quickly fights with her mother. However, the pair find an unexpected understanding after Romy begins her affair with Samuel, even sharing a cigarette after Romy catches Isabel cheating on her girlfriend with another girl in the neighborhood. Isabel notes that it's just a bit of fun, something that Romy seems to carry into her relationship with Samuel.

The two serve as a reflection for each other, with Romy also realizing how Isabel, in the end, remains in the relationship with her girlfriend, despite the affair. This mirrors the film's ending, which shows Romy finally acknowledging her relationship issues with Jacob and working to maintain her marriage. Romy and Isabel's sweeter relationship at the end of the film reflects Romy's overall sense of self and state of mind at the climax of Little babyhighlighting how Romy must make peace with the harsher views of herself she developed in her youth to find inner peace.

The true meaning of Babygirl

Romy learns to accept her desires

Little babyRomy and Samuel's explicit affair serves as the erotic thriller's main plot, but The film's themes are entirely rooted in Romy's personal growth and eventual acceptance of his sexuality. Samuel himself remains a kind of cipher in the film, on purpose. Instead, all of the film's emotional growth is centered on Romy overcoming her colder, more withdrawn elements. Instead of lying to Jacob or angrily lashing out at revelations about her relationship, Romy ends the film by being honest with him and actually achieving satisfaction from her romance.

By being honest with Jacob, Romy is able to truly initiate the type of sexual relationship she wants to experience. Her relationship with Samuel doesn't end up costing her her family life or the career she's spent years developing, a major fear throughout much of the film. Romy ends the film in a much better place than before, both personally and professionally. This reinforces Little babyself-acceptance themes and how it can be found without sacrificing the life one has built. From the Little baby a thematic core outside of the central romance that drives much of the film.