Babylon won’t hit theaters until December 23. Still, it has already received five Golden Globe and nine Critics Choice nominations and rave reviews from critics, who lauded the cinematography, score, production design, and cast performances.
The critical response wasn’t surprising, given its ensemble cast, including Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Jean Smart, Tobey Maguire, Olivia Wilde, Diego Calva, and its Academy Award-winning director Damien Sayre Chazelle.
What Is Babylon Movie About?
Top-billed by Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie, Babylon is an epic period comedy-drama written and directed by Damien Chazelle.
Babylon is an epic period comedy-drama that chronicles the rise and fall of multiple characters as Hollywood transitions from silent to sound films (Credit: Paramount Pictures)
The film explores the impact of the invention of sound movies on the lives of popular silent film stars.
Set in the 1920s, Babylon chronicles the rise and fall of multiple characters as Hollywood transitions from silent to sound films.
Is Babylon Based on a True Story?
Babylon is not a true story, but it is inspired by real-life people.
Chazelle, who wrote and directed multiple-Oscar-winning titles, Whiplash and La La Land, took inspiration from early Hollywood stars and real-life places in making Babylon.
“It’s like a story of Los Angeles itself,” he told Entertainment Weekly.
The movie title is said to be a nod to its ultimate inspiration. “It’s basically what the early film industry was, this makeshift society that had been built up really fast, in this kind of unbridled, reckless way.”
“[Babylon] was a name used to describe Hollywood in those days—the idea of a sinful place, a city of decadence and depravity that was heading to ruin.”
Director Damien Chazelle reveals Babylon is inspired by early Hollywood stars and real-life places (Credit: Paramount Pictures)
While the film’s characters are fictional, he revealed that they’re based in reality. Brad Pitt’s Jack Conrad character is inspired by John Gilbert, Clark Gable, and Douglas Fairbanks, while Margot Robbie’s character Nellie LaRoy is a combination of Clara Bow, Joan Crawford, Jeanne Eagels, and Alma Rubens.
The reason behind these inspirations was to “take an honest, unvarnished look at the good and the bad of a really seismic shift” through different characters.
Margot Robbie Reveals Sneaking In a Kiss with Brad Pitt in Babylon
Early this month, Margot revealed to E! News how she improvised her kiss with Brad Pitt on the set of Babylon.
“That wasn’t in the script. But I thought, ‘When else am I gonna get the chance to kiss Brad Pitt? I’m just gonna go for it.’”
She further shared a few behind-the-scenes, saying she had to convince director Chazelle to make it happen.
Margot Robbie shares sneaking in a kissing scene with Brad Pitt on the set of Babylon (Credit: Paramount Pictures)
“I said, ‘Damien, I think Nellie would just go up and kiss Jack.’ And Damien was like, ‘Well, she could—wait, hold on. You just wanna kiss Brad Pitt.’ And I was like, ‘Oh, so sue me. This opportunity might never come up again.’ And he was like, ‘It does work for the character,’ and I was like, ‘I think so.’”
After a successful take on the unscripted kiss, Damien admitted it would make for a great scene. Margot added that Damien made them “do it again.”
“He was like, ‘No, do it again. That really works.’ I was like, ‘Oh, great.’”
Diego Calva and Margot Robbie also have kissing scenes in Babylon (Credit: Paramount Pictures)
On Thursday, Babylon had its world premiere at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles.
Aside from the star-studded cast, a number of famous faces also graced the red carpet to celebrate the upcoming movie.
See all the best-dressed stars present at the premiere:
1. Margot Robbie in Alaia
Margot plays ambitious actress Nellie LaRoy in the movie.
And for the premiere, the 32-year-old star made her presence felt as she went commando in a black Alaia Spring 2023 dress.
The dramatic mini dress featured a crisscross halterneck that wrapped around her neck to create a hood, a large geometric torso cutout that showcased her toned abs, and an asymmetric ruched mini skirt with a faux-feather trimmed train that cascaded at one side.
Margot Robbie goes commando in a black Alaia hooded gown with a large torso cutout and a feather-trimmed train (Credit: Xavier Collin / ABACA / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
The Amsterdam star teamed her mini dress with $7 Calzedonia 20 Denier Ultra Comfort sheer tights and Gianvito Rossi “Gianvito” pumps.
Margot Robbie pairs her mini dress with Calzedonia tights and Gianvito Rossi pumps (Credit: Faye’s Vision / Cover Images)
These timeless pumps are made of black suede and feature an understated design with a pointed toe, a brand-embossed insole, and a 4-inch heel.
Gianvito Rossi ‘Gianvito’ Pump, $775 at Farfetch
These timeless Gianvito Rossi pumps feature a classic pointed-toe silhouette and a 4-inch heel
Styled by Kate Young, the Wolf of Wall Street star kept the rest of her look simple.
She adorned her wrist with a chunky bangle and wore minimal makeup, with mascara, champagne-colored eyeshadow, and a swipe of lipstick created by makeup artist Pati Dubroff.
Hairstylist Bryce Scarlett hid Margot Robbie’s tresses underneath her hood, leaving several strands to frame her face, while nail artist Tom Bachik created small triangles on the outside of Margot’s short, square nails.
Margot Robbie hides her hair underneath her hood and wears minimal makeup with mascara and champagne eyeshadow (Credit: Xavier Collin / ABACA / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
The Legend of Tarzan star brought along her mom, Sarie Kessler, who looked elegant in a plunging black gown with long sleeves and embellished shoulders.
She also wore a pair of tights and rounded out her look with silver metallic sandals.
Margot Robbie poses with her mom Sarie Kessler, who looks elegant in a black gown with embroidered shoulders (Credit: Faye’s Vision / Cover Images)
2. Olivia Wilde in Saint Laurent
The 38-year-old actress and filmmaker, who plays Jack Conrad’s (Brad Pitt) ex-wife, Ina Conrad, in the film, opted for a sophisticated look with an edgy twist.
Showing a glimpse of her legs, Olivia Wilde wore a see-through floor-sweeping skirt with ruffled tiers.
She paired it with a black tuxedo overcoat by Saint Laurent featuring satin lapels, padded shoulders, a deep V-neckline, and a $1,090 large Wild Rose brooch in crushed velvet and metal.
Olivia Wilde opts for an edgy, sophisticated look by pairing a Saint Laurent tuxedo with a see-through tulle maxi skirt (Credit: Xavier Collin / ABACA / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
The Don’t Worry Darling director collaborated with her stylist Karla Welch to create her edgy evening look, which was styled with Saint Laurent “Amber” heels.
Olivia Wilde shows off her pedicured feet in Saint Laurent’s Amber sandals (Credit: Xavier Collin / ABACA / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
They’re versatile and classic in patent leather with slender ankle straps, square open toes, and 4-inch stiletto heels.
Saint Laurent ‘Amber’ Patent Leather Sandals, $825 at Mytheresa
These Saint Laurent Amber sandals have trendy square open toes, ankle straps, and thin stiletto heels
Allowing her outfit to take center stage, Harry Styles’ ex accessorized with just a pair of De Beers “Snow Dance” long earrings in white gold, worth $49,400.
Wilde’s glam team, composed of makeup artist Jo Baker and hairstylist Mara Roszak, gave her a sultry, grunge beauty look with black and silver eyeshadow, heavy mascara, and loose waves hairstyle.
Nail artist Zola Ganzorigt added a pop of color to the ensemble with bright red manicure and pedicure.
Olivia Wilde keeps the look sultry with tousled waves and grungy smokey eyeshadow (Credit: Xavier Collin / ABACA / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
3. Kelly Rowland in Iris Van Herpen
Kelly Rowland isn’t part of the film, but she made sure to bring her fashion A-game to the red carpet.
The 41-year-old singer had everyone’s eyes on her as she showed up in a striking red ruffled gown by Iris Van Herpen. The Dutch fashion designer is known for her architectural style, which is evident in Rowland’s Spring 2021 Couture gown.
Putting her abs and boobs front and center, Rowland’s “Apotheosis” gown had large cutouts on the bodice and elaborate ruffles around the neck and along the sleeves. The bottom half of the gown featured a tiered pleated skirt with a floor-sweeping hem.
Kelly Rowland flaunts her boobs and abs in a red ruffled cutout gown by Iris Van Herpen (Credit: Xavier Collin / ABACA / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
Looking majestic, the former Destiny’s Child member accessorized with diamond stud earrings and a couple of rings.
She debuted a pixie hairstyle and wore smokey eyeshadow, nude lip gloss, and red nails for a monochromatic finish.
Kelly Rowland debuts a pixie hairstyle and teams it with smokey eyeshadow and long eyelashes (Credit: Xavier Collin / ABACA / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
4. Elle Fanning in Alexander McQueen
Elle Fanning and her boyfriend, Max Giorgio Choa Minghella, made a rare public appearance together at the global premiere of Babylon.
Showing their support for the movie, the couple of four years posed on the red carpet in matching sleek black outfits.
Max Giorgio Choa Minghella is about 13 years and 6 months older than Elle Fanning. Minghella was born on September 16, 1985, while Fanning was born on April 9, 1998.
Max Minghella and Elle Fanning make a rare public appearance at the Babylon global premiere (Credit: Xavier Collin / ABACA / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
The Handmaid’s Tale actor looked dapper in a classic pinstriped suit with a crisp white shirt and a black tie, while the Maleficent actress decided to keep things simple but elegant in a vintage black gown by Alexander McQueen.
In episode 5 of “The Handmaid’s Tale” Season 2, Sydney Sweeney plays Eden, a young girl who is assigned to be a child bride for Max Minghella’s character Nick Blaine.
Elle Fanning’s dress featured a scooped neckline, asymmetric ruffled sleeves, and a drop-down waist that cascaded into a softly pleated ruffled skirt.
Elle Fanning wears a vintage black gown with a drop waist and asymmetric sleeves by Alexander McQueen (Credit: Xavier Collin / ABACA / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
Under Samantha McMillen’s expert styling, the 24-year-old actress accessorized with dainty jewelry, including some bracelets and rings.
She then slipped her feet into a pair of open-toed pointy sandals and rounded out her look with vibrant fuchsia lipstick, black mascara, and a side-parted hairstyle.
Elle Fanning parts her blonde hair to one side and wears soft makeup with vibrant fuchsia lipstick (Credit: Xavier Collin / ABACA / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
5. Eiza Gonzalez in Prada
The Ambulance star went the sensational route in a black Prada dress as she showed her support for Babylon.
Putting her enviable figure on display, Eiza Gonzalez’s dress featured a bodycon fit that accentuated her tiny waist. It also had mesh sleeves and a mesh-paneled décolletage that allowed her to flaunt her cleavage.
Eiza Gonzalez shows a glimpse of cleavage in a see-through sheer-paneled Prada dress (Credit: Xavier Collin / ABACA / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
To complete her rather understated look, Eiza showed off her tribal tree foot tattoo in a pair of Prada platform sandals.
Eiza Gonzalez pairs her form-fitting Prada dress with Prada platform sandals (Credit: Xavier Collin / ABACA / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
Her shoes are made from a silk blend and feature a triangle logo, peep toes, buckled ankle straps, 1.5-inch platforms, and towering 5.3-inch block heels.
Prada Satin Platform Sandals, $1,220 at Farfetch
These satin sandals boast Prada’s triangle logo, thick platforms, and block heels
The Mexican beauty commissioned makeup artist Jose Corella to accentuate her features. She wore strawberry red lip color, a hint of blush on her cheeks, mascara, and long eyelashes.
Meanwhile, hairstylist Ruslan Nureev coiffed the actress’ tresses into a chic updo with wavy tendrils cascading down the sides of her face.
Eiza Gonzalez styles her tresses in a chic updo and wears strawberry red lipstick, eyeliner, and long lashes (Credit: Xavier Collin / ABACA / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
6. Taylor Hill in Balmain
The former Victoria’s Secret Angel was also on hand to celebrate the upcoming movie.
Showcasing her fashion prowess, Taylor Hill wore a Balmain Spring 2023 maxi dress that hugged every inch of her 5’9” model figure.
Taylor Hill wears a cream-colored rope fringe dress with a high neck and long sleeves by Balmain (Credit: BauerGriffin / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
The slinky cream-colored dress featured a fringe-effect draped rope fabric from the high neck to the long sleeves and down to the floor-length column skirt. It also came with a knit lining for some coverage, finished with woven detailing.
Styling duo Mariel Haenn and Rob Zangardi teamed Hill’s dress with matching white pointy boots.
Taylor Hill pairs her fringe gown with white graphic-print ankle boots (Credit: Xavier Collin / ABACA / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
The 26-year-old model further accessorized with a selection of rings and David Yurman earrings, which included the $2,900 “Renaissance” pearl stud earrings in 18k yellow gold with diamonds and the $2,500 “Dy Madison” pearl chain drop earrings in 18k yellow gold.
Allowing her dress to take center stage, hairstylist Bridget Brager pulled Hill’s brunette hair up into a top bun. Makeup artist Mai Quynh then gave her soft smokey, bronzed eyeshadow, matching lipstick, and bushy eyebrows.
Taylor Hill pulls her tresses into a chic updo and wears smokey bronzed eyeshadow with matching lipstick (Credit: Xavier Collin / ABACA / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
7. Jean Smart in Pamella Roland
Jean Smart plays the role of sensationalist journalist Elinor St. John in the film.
For the event, the 71-year-old actress decided on a classic red-carpet look, wearing a black gown by Pamella Roland.
Hailing from the Resort 2023 collection, the regal gown featured long cape sleeves with ornate embroideries around the opening. It also had a boat neck and an ankle-length hem.
Jean Smart keeps it regal in a Pamella Rolland black gown with embroidered cape sleeves (Credit: Xavier Collin / ABACA / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
Smart enlisted the help of stylist Micah Schifman to keep the look elegant. She accessorized with a statement diamond ring, a diamond bracelet, and a pair of diamond teardrop earrings by Rahaminov Diamonds.
Hairstylist Robert Vetica styled the five-time Emmy winner’s blonde tresses into side-parted waves while makeup artist Keith Sayer gave her soft pink makeup.
Jean Smart styles her blonde hair in soft waves with a side part and wears soft pink eyeshadow and lipstick (Credit: Xavier Collin / ABACA / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
Carrying a Tyler Ellis “Lee” Pouchet in black diamond satin, Smart rounded out her outfit with black pumps by Nina.
Jean Smart completes her elegant look with Nina Shoes Neya Pumps (Credit: Xavier Collin / ABACA / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
She wore the “Neya” pumps, inspired by the opulence of a French court. They have a bejeweled buckle, similar to that of Roger Vivier’s, and are finished with 2-inch kitten heels.
Nina Shoes ‘Neya’ Pump, $109 at Nordstrom
The Neya pumps are characterized by the rhinestone-embellished buckle on the toes
8. Li Jun Li in Aadnevik
Li Jun Li, whose role is cabaret singer Lady Fay Zhu in Babylon, opted for a fun yet sexy look in a two-piece red outfit by London-based Norwegian fashion designer Aadnevik.
Li Jun Li bares flesh in a cleavage-baring red floral bra top and thigh-skimming high-low tulle skirt by Aadnevik (Credit: BauerGriffin / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
Showcasing her cleavage and flat abs, the Quantico star wore a Spring/Summer 2023 red floral bra top with a deep V-neckline, crystal embellishments, and woven leather detailing. She paired it with a matching tulle skirt with a large floral applique and a leg-baring high-low silhouette.
Styled by Jessica Parker, the Wu Assassins star flaunted her feet in a pair of red Stuart Weitzman open-toe sandals and further accessorized with a few diamond rings and diamond earrings by Hope Moss. She wears a shoe size 6.5 (US).
Li Jun Li wears HausLabs makeup, with red coral lipstick, winged eyeliner, and bronzed eyeshadow (Credit: Xavier Collin / ABACA / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
Hairstylist Kat Thompson pulled her raven tresses back into a sleek high bun with a swirl of baby hair on her forehead, while makeup artist Rokael used Lady Gaga’s Haus Labs makeup to accentuate her features.
He applied the Triclone foundation in 330 Medium Cool onto the actress’ face and created a bronzed effect with the Power Sculpt Velvet Bronzer. He also gave her winged eyeliner with the Hy-Power Pigment Paint in Black Onyx and finished off her look with the Atomic Lip Lacquer in Red Coral.
Li Jun Li flaunts her feet and legs in red ankle-strap sandals (Credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock)