Tom Cruise Reflects on Nicole Kidman’s Role in ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ 25 Years Later

The actor praises his ex-wife’s performance in Stanley Kubrick’s final film, recalling their collaboration and the film’s enduring impact.

In a recent interview with Sight and Sound, Tom Cruise reflected on the making of Eyes Wide Shut, Stanley Kubrick’s 1999 erotic thriller, and his collaboration with then-wife Nicole Kidman. Cruise recalled recommending Kidman for the role of Alice Harford, praising her talent and their shared commitment to the project.

“I flew out to [Kubrick’s] house, and I landed in his backyard. I read the script the day before, and we spent the day talking about it,” Cruise recounted. “Then it was basically he and I getting to know each other. And when we were doing that, I suggested Nicole play the role [of Alice]. Because, obviously, she’s a great actress.”

Cruise emphasized his dedication to the film, stating, “Whatever it’s going to take [to make the movie], we’re going to do this,” despite the shoot extending longer than anticipated. Eyes Wide Shut became Kubrick’s final film before his death in 1999 at age 70.

Nicole Kidman has also reflected on their time filming Eyes Wide Shut, noting that they were “happily married” during the production. In a 2020 interview with The New York Times, she addressed speculation about the film’s impact on their marriage, stating, “That fits the narrative that people came up with, but I definitely didn’t see it like that.” She added that they would go go-kart racing after intense scenes, emphasizing the positive aspects of their experience.

Kidman and Cruise were married from 1990 until their divorce in 2001 and share two adopted children, Isabella and Connor. Kidman has since married country singer Keith Urban, with whom she has two daughters.

As Eyes Wide Shut marks its 25th anniversary, both Cruise and Kidman continue to reflect on the film’s significance and their collaborative work with Kubrick.