Nicole Kidman Strikes Up More Controversy With ‘The Killing Of A Sacred Deer’


Nicole Kidman is again proving that she loves the challenge of a demanding and, at times, scandalous role, as she follows up her Big Little Lies project with The Killing of a Sacred Deer. In fact, Ms. Kidman might be the true star of Cannes this year with four films premiering at the film festival. While the SundanceTV miniseries Top of the Lake: China Girl and Sofia Coppola’s The Beguiled are each worthy additions to the 2017 Cannes Film Festival, it’s The Killing of a Sacred Deer and its dark and macabre plot that’s really drawing attention. Now, Nicole opens up about the Yorgos Lanthimos written and directed thriller, revealing the real reason she keeps her creative life separate from her family life.

Nicole Kidman On The Dark Story Of The Killing Of A Sacred Deer

It’s certainly unusual for an actor to have multiple films debuting at the same film festival and, as USA Today reported, that wasn’t something Ms. Kidman had planned. She said it was just happenstance, but she added that it’s not very surprising in light of the passion with which she’s launched the second half of her career. In fact, Nicole feels 21 again, as she pursues as many interesting projects as she can. Much like Big Little Lies, Nicole said she can’t turn away from compelling new projects.

Speaking of Big Little Lies, Ms. Kidman said the HBO series is one of her favorite projects, because it gave her the experience of producing, as well as acting. Nicole liked the feeling of being in control, but she added that there’s something to be said for losing control as an actress, as well.

Nicole Kidman and Colin Farrell attend the screening of ‘The Killing of a Sacred Deer’ at Cannes. [Image by Antony Jones/Getty Images]

“I always say, an actor can’t be a control freak,” said Kidman. “You really have to be able to give yourself over to the process, and be willing to be changed and be molded. And I love that.”

In The Killing of a Sacred Deer, Greek filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos tells the story of a mother (Kidman) whose children (Raffey Cassidy and Sunny Suljic) are mysteriously paralyzed, after an encounter with a teenage stalker, Martin (Barry Keoghan). It’s soon revealed that Martin’s father died during a surgery performed by the mother’s husband, years ago.

The Killing of a Sacred Deer explores the darker side of bullying, including some rather grisly scenes. In fact, audiences found the Cannes screening of the film so unsettling that it received a number of boos from the viewers.

Keeping Her Career Separate From Parenting Is The Key To Happiness For Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban make a memorable entrance at Cannes. [Image by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images]

Nicole Kidman is no stranger to the controversy of graphic and disturbing films and News OK reported that she understands a negative reaction to the scenes within The Killing of a Sacred Deer. In fact, Kidman reveals that she won’t allow her kids to see the film at all.

“This film, my children will not be seeing,” Kidman said. “Actually, my children don’t really see my films. Our family is very separate to my creative life. Occasionally, I’ll do something for them where they can come on set. I did Paddington, but they have very little understanding of what my husband (country singer Keith Urban) and I do.”

Nicole is very happy with this division between her career and her home life, which is made easier by the fact that Keith Urban is also an entertainer. Kidman says they each are free to pursue their dreams and return home to the family, feeling content and ready to appreciate their downtime with each other and their children.

“I’m fortunate in the sense that I’m married to a musician, so our schedules are able to be juggled,” adds Ms. Kidman. “We’re able to go and pursue our artistic, creative lives, and then have a very solid home life.”

The Killing of a Sacred Deer, starring Alicia Silverstone, Nicole Kidman, and Colin Farrell hits theaters on November 3.

[Featured Image by Antony Jones/Getty Images]

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