Nicole Kidman on ‘Eyes Wide Shut’: “It Changed Me”

As Nicole Kidman commemorates the 25th anniversary of ‘Eyes Wide Shut,’ she reflects on her unique experience making the film alongside then-husband Tom Cruise under the meticulous direction of Stanley Kubrick. The Academy Award-winning actress spoke about the extensive rehearsal period and the intimate, improvisational approach Kubrick employed during the filming process, in an interview obtained by Deadline.

Kidman recounted, “When Tom and I first started with Stanley, it was at his home, and we didn’t even go over to the sets at Pinewood [Studios]. Six, eight weeks passed, and we’re wondering, ‘Are we ever going to start?’ And we just wouldn’t start. We were getting comfortable with each other, comfortable enough to throw out ideas. For that scene, we improvised the beginning of it through the rehearsals.”

Reflecting on Kubrick’s method, Kidman noted how the director seemed to draw inspiration from her real-life relationship with Cruise for certain scenes. “I suppose he was mining it,” she said, adding that Kubrick was deeply interested in their dynamic and often asked probing questions. “But he had a strong sense of the story he was telling. I do remember him saying, ‘Triangles are hard. You have to tread carefully when it’s a triangle.’ Because one person could feel ganged up on. But he was aware of that and knew how to manage us.”

Despite the intimate nature of some scenes, Kidman emphasized that she never felt overwhelmed by Kubrick and Cruise. “There’s something about being a woman in that equation, too,” she added. “And Stanley liked women. He had a different relationship with Tom. They worked more closely together on his character.”

Kidman previously expressed gratitude for the calm approach she maintained during the lengthy filming of ‘Eyes Wide Shut.’ In a 2017 interview with Deadline, she shared, “Because I was married and I had my kids there. It wasn’t like I was rushing to get finished, to get somewhere else. I was there, with Stanley, and I didn’t care. Whatever.”

Stanley Kubrick, known for his meticulous filmmaking style, passed away from a heart attack at the age of 70 on March 7, 1999, shortly after showing a final cut of ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ to his family and the film’s stars.

As Kidman reflects on the legacy of ‘Eyes Wide Shut,’ she continues to cherish the experience of working with Kubrick and Cruise, acknowledging the profound influence it had on her career and personal life.