Babygirl ending explained: Romy's escapades explored, as Max sets official release date

Disclaimer: Babygirl spoilers ahead, so proceed with caution!

The Babygirl finale has generated quite a buzz among fans. They're breaking down Romy's final choices and what they mean to the film's main themes. This movie centers around Romy as she grapples with her identity, power, and survival.

The plot reaches a climax that feels both satisfying and slightly disturbing. You can stream Babygirl from beginning to end on Max beginning April 25. If HBO linear is your style, it will be available there a day later, April 26, at 8 PM ET.

So, what exactly is going on with the finale? Let's try to make sense of it.

Babygirl: Does Romy break free or fall deeper?

In the last part of Babygirl, Nicole Kidman's acting as Romy is incredibly raw and convincing as she deals with a revelation that changes everything for her. The movie explores how reality and perception can be vastly different. The director intentionally places subtle clues, allowing for multiple interpretations of the ending.

A major question everyone is discussing is whether Romy planned to escape or if she was being manipulated. On Reddit, fans have differing opinions. Some believe her last scene in Babygirl shows that she is now in control. Others think she is still being controlled by someone else.

Her romance with Samuel, played by Harris Dickinson, is a crucial part of the story. It’s not just about her dissatisfaction with her marriage but also a way for her to navigate her personal struggles with control—both exerting it and being subjected to it. When her assistant Esme exposes the affair, Romy’s life spirals into chaos, forcing her to confront the consequences of her actions.

The movie ends with Romy experiencing her first real orgasm with her husband, Jacob. This can be seen as a moment of emotional and sexual growth. However, intercut scenes featuring Samuel create uncertainty about whether Romy is truly free. Some viewers believe she might still be thinking about Samuel, even while with Jacob. This ambiguity turns the film into an intricate psychological puzzle.

The color grading in the final scenes mirrors the dream sequences from earlier in the movie, adding to the uncertainty. This deliberate visual choice blurs the lines between reality and illusion, making the film feel like a cult psychological thriller.

Symbolism, hidden clues in the final scene of Babygirl

Babygirl’s cinematography and motifs are key to understanding its deeper meaning. Mirrors, fragmented reflections, and shifting shadows illustrate Romy’s fractured psyche and her struggle with identity. The lighting and framing of the last scene echo an earlier moment where she questions herself, reinforcing the idea that the story is cyclical rather than linear.

This theme of repetition is also seen in recurring imagery, hinting that Romy might not be the only one trapped in this kind of journey.

One particularly striking moment is when Samuel gives Romy a glass of milk—symbolizing her surrender to desire and her confrontation with the darker aspects of herself. This, along with other carefully crafted scenes, highlights the film’s exploration of power dynamics and decision-making.

The director embeds subtle hints and hidden messages throughout the movie, encouraging multiple viewings to uncover its layered meanings. At its core, Babygirl is about control and self-discovery. Every small detail contributes to the overarching narrative.

Did Babygirl have a tragic or poetic ending?

Whether Babygirl ends on a tragic note depends on one’s interpretation of its themes. Some argue that Romy’s final action is a form of rebellion, proving she is still in control of her story.

Others see it as a commentary on inevitability—that Romy, like countless others before her, was always destined to meet this fate.

The writer of the show hinted at the dual nature of the ending during an interview with IndieWire, saying,

“Romy’s choice is hers alone, but the structures around her remain the same. That’s the tragedy.”

This suggests that while Romy may have asserted control in the moment, the larger world she inhabits still dictates the rules.

The climax masterfully plays with audience perception, keeping the ending open-ended yet emotionally charged. With its sharp storytelling and rich symbolism, Babygirl leaves a lasting impact long after the credits roll.