Nicole Kidman Plays Wife in Tom Cruise’s Seriously Underrated Christmas Thriller

Tom Cruise, for the better part of the last few decades, has been delighting and entertaining viewers by putting his life at risk, quite literally, in many of his action films.

Also known as the ‘God of stunts’ today, there was once a time when the actor used to shine in more dramatic films, showcasing his impeccable acting range. And his underrated film with ex-wife Nicole Kidman is one such film, that is now hailed as a Christmas thriller.

Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise in Eyes Wide Shut (1999) | Credit: Warner Bros.

Back in 1999, the former couple collaborated with Stanley Kubrick in Eyes Wide Shut, an erotic psychological mystery drama film based on the 1926 novella Dream Story by the Austrian author Arthur Schnitzler. Bringing their real-life chemistry to the big screen, the film is a provocative and haunting Christmas-themed thriller that remains one of the most misunderstood and underrated films in cinematic history.

While the film was a success given the undeniable star power and acclaim of its lead couple, its release was met with some generally positive yet polarizing reviews. A trademark of Kubrick’s ambiguous storytelling, here is a look back at the unlikely Christmas film and the reason why it deserves all the attention it can get.

Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise’s unlikely Christmas thriller

Eyes Wide Shut (1999) | Credit: Warner Bros.

There was once a time when Tom Cruise was happily married to Nicole Kidman. Their romance was a point of fascination for their fans and media, making them one of the lead ‘It Couples’ of the film industry. The interest in their relationship was also because of their many big-screen collaborations and Eyes Wide Shut was their third film together.

Co-written, directed, and produced by the legendary filmmaker Stanley Kubrick, the film is a literal masterpiece that blends psychological drama, suspense, and mystery against the backdrop of a chilly, festive New York City. Kidman stars as Alice Harford, a woman grappling with her inner conflicts and the complexities of her marriage to Tom Cruise’s character, Dr. Bill Harford.

What seems like a seemingly perfect marriage is tested by suppressed emotions and unexpected revelations that keep fans on the edge of their seats. As the plot unfolds, fleeting thoughts of infidelity come around, leading to moments of vulnerability to an odyssey of obsession and forbidden desires.

Guided by the brilliance of Kubrick, who passed away six days after showing Warner Bros. the final cut of the film, Kidman and Cruise craft a nuanced and layered portrayal of a couple battling themes of trust, unfulfilled desires, and identity.

Furthermore, apart from being a deep exploration of the human psyche, the film is an unexpected Christmas film, often described by critics as a Christmas film made for adults.

Set against the backdrop of the holiday, unlike the book which features Mardi Gras, its unexpected holiday setting contrasts with its dark and erotic tone. The use of festive lights and holiday decor, which can be found in almost every scene, serves as a symbolic backdrop, highlighting the tension between what appears to be and what is hidden from the signs.

The reason why Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise’s Eyes Wide Shut deserves more attention

Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman in Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut | Credit: Warner Bros.

Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise’s 1999 film Eyes Wide Shut is a cinematic journey into the depths of marital tension, psychological intrigue, and the unspoken desires that threaten to unravel a relationship.

Centering on Dr. Bill Harford and his wife Alice, their marriage is tested by unanticipated revelations that can end up breaking most relationships. Its underlying brilliance lies in the way it crosses conventional norms by blending storytelling and introspection in such a way that one is forced to simultaneously confront the characters’ shortcomings and vulnerabilities while reflecting on their own unspoken fears and desires.

A daring exploration of human psychology, relationships, and societal facades, the film challenged traditional cinematic norms and blended suspense and drama to create a tale that would resonate with a lot of couples. While its explicit themes might polarize the audience, once having taken a look beyond its initial controversy, the film is an unflinching portrayal of the complexities of marital life and how hard it is to keep the sacred threads of marital bonds intact.

In its own way a profound study of trust, desire, and the fragility of intimate bonds, Kubrick’s film is a compelling tale that is rich with symbolism. From dreamlike settings to the eerie framework, these elements create a haunting atmosphere reflecting the psychological states of its character and adding layers of meaning to the already complex story. Thus, an exploration of the uncharted territories of the human psyche, the film is a timeless masterpiece that deserves to be seen with a fresh perspective and appreciated for its bold narrative.

Eyes Wide Shut’s brilliance lies in the way Stanley Kubrick explored it

Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise in Eyes Wide Shut | Credit: Warner Bros.

The brilliance of Eyes Wide Shut lies in the unparalleled talent of the late director Stanley Kubrick. Known for creating mind-bending psychological films and his meticulous attention to detail, Kurbrick crafted a psychological labyrinth by peeling apart its characters’ lives and inner depths, revealing their deepest, darkest selves.

While Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise were spectacular in their roles, bringing authenticity to their characters through their nuanced portrayals, it was really Kubrich who elevated the narrative through framing, tense lighting, and deliberate pacing. In 2024, while talking to the LA Times about the film, Kidman remarked that the director was mining her marriage with Cruise to create a more impactful picture.

There were ideas he was interested in. He’d ask a lot of questions. But he had a strong sense of the story he was telling. There were ideas he was interested in. He’d ask a lot of questions. But he had a strong sense of the story he was telling.

Thus, beyond the surface-level storytelling, Eyes Wide Shut was a masterclass in tension-building as it explored the depths of the human psyche. From the lavish interiors to the Christmas settings, Kubrick manipulated each and every element at hand to create an atmosphere of suspense, danger, and eroticism. Leaving the audience with even greater questions of truth, fidelity, and self-awareness, it is Stanley Kubrick’s unparalleled genius that makes Eyes Wide Shut such a classic deserving of greater appreciation and attention.

Eyes Wide Shut is available to be streamed on Paramount+.