In the 2018 neo-noir crime thriller Destroyer, Nicole Kidman delivers a performance that has been hailed as one of the most transformative of her illustrious career. Directed by Karyn Kusama and written by Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi, the film showcases Kidman as Erin Bell, a ravaged Los Angeles police detective haunted by a past undercover operation that shattered her life. Through a staggering physical and emotional metamorphosis, Kidman strips away her signature glamour to embody a broken, relentless antihero, earning critical acclaim and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama. With its unflinching narrative and Kusama’s bold direction, Destroyer stands as a masterpiece of the thriller drama genre, propelled by Kidman’s raw, unforgettable portrayal.

A Radical Transformation

When audiences first see Nicole Kidman in Destroyer, they encounter a character almost unrecognizable from the poised, ethereal star known for roles in films like Moulin Rouge! and The Hours. As Erin Bell, Kidman appears haggard, with bloodshot eyes, sun-bleached skin, and a disheveled mop of hair, her face etched with the toll of years of trauma, alcoholism, and guilt. The transformation, achieved through meticulous makeup and prosthetics, was so striking that it drew comparisons to Charlize Theron’s in Monster. Critics noted that Kidman’s weathered appearance was not just cosmetic but a window into Erin’s psyche, reflecting a woman “drowned in an ocean of pain, then left to dry in the scorching sun of self-loathing.”

Kidman’s commitment extended beyond makeup. She adopted a ponderous, almost leaden walk, as if Erin were “willing herself upright” despite extreme exhaustion, and spoke in a raspy near-whisper, conveying a character with “no excess energy, no resilience.” In an interview with The New York Times, Kidman revealed she was so immersed in the role that she let out “a huge yell or a growl” before scenes to channel Erin’s rage, even filming the final scene with her daughter while battling the flu, barely able to stand. She stayed in character throughout production, learning to handle firearms and drawing inspiration from footage of wild coyotes provided by Kusama to capture Erin’s feral, survivalist essence.

This physicality was central to the role. In one memorable scene, Erin wields a bar of soap to pummel a man twice her size, showcasing a ferocity that belies her frail frame. Another sequence, a brutal brawl with Tatiana Maslany’s character in an ice cream shop, sees Kidman “wildly whipping a gun around” while grappling on the floor, embodying both vulnerability and raw power. Critics praised her ability to make Erin “feeble and strong at once,” a testament to her fearless approach to a character who is both destroyer and destroyed.

The Story of Erin Bell

Destroyer follows Erin Bell, an LAPD detective who, 17 years prior, infiltrated a bank-robbing gang in the California desert alongside FBI agent Chris (Sebastian Stan), with whom she fell in love. The operation went tragically wrong, leaving Erin scarred by guilt and loss. In the present, a murder investigation marked by dye-stained dollars and a gang tattoo reignites her past, driving her on a relentless quest for vengeance against the gang’s leader, Silas (Toby Kebbell). The nonlinear narrative alternates between Erin’s youthful undercover days and her broken present, revealing the consequences of her choices, including her strained relationship with her teenage daughter, Shelby (Jade Pettyjohn).

The film’s structure, described by Collider as a “non-linear narrative that blurs the line between cops and criminals,” adds depth to Erin’s journey, with flashbacks exposing the emotional and ethical toll of her undercover work. A pivotal scene with Shelby, where Erin recalls a chaotic camping trip, becomes a “degraded epiphany,” offering closure rather than redemption. The narrative’s intensity is amplified by a gripping bank heist sequence, which critics likened to Michael Mann’s Heat for its pacing and spatial clarity, showcasing Kusama’s skill in action choreography.

Karyn Kusama’s Visionary Direction

Director Karyn Kusama, known for Girlfight and The Invitation, brings a distinctive voice to Destroyer, blending pulp conventions with profound character insight. Her Los Angeles is a “diverse wasteland” of sun-blasted concrete and seedy underpasses, captured by cinematographer Julie Kirkwood’s widescreen images that shift between the washed-out present and vibrant past. Kusama’s decision to cast a woman in a traditionally male role flips noir conventions, positioning Erin as both detective and femme fatale, a move that NPR noted as “turning the genre on its head.”

Kusama’s collaboration with Kidman was pivotal. Kidman approached Kusama after reading the script, drawn to the director’s vision and her status as a female filmmaker in a male-dominated industry. The film’s predominantly female crew, including Kirkwood and the first assistant director, reflected Kidman’s commitment to supporting women in Hollywood, a priority she also pursued in projects like Big Little Lies. Kusama’s direction, paired with Theodore Shapiro’s eerie score, creates an atmosphere of “frantic melancholy,” with dreamlike sequences that mirror Erin’s shattered psyche.

Critical Acclaim and Mixed Reception

Destroyer premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2018, and screened at the Toronto International Film Festival before its U.S. release on December 25, 2018, by Annapurna Pictures. It holds a 74% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising Kidman’s “masterful” performance and Kusama’s atmospheric direction, though some found the nonlinear plot “unnecessarily twisty” and the story derivative of 1970s cop thrillers like Serpico and The French Connection. The Guardian called Kidman’s role her “best since To Die For,” comparing her to Harvey Keitel’s Bad Lieutenant for its raw intensity, while Rolling Stone noted that her performance “ties together” a sometimes muddled script.

The film’s focus on Kidman’s transformation drew both praise and criticism. The New York Times lauded her for bringing “impressive physicality” to Erin, making her a “very bad cop” whose brutalized appearance forces viewers to confront her pain. However, USA Today argued that the emphasis on her “hard-boiled makeover” overshadowed deeper psychological exploration, with some critics, like those at AZ Central, calling the makeup “ludicrous Kabuki” that distracted from the story. Despite this, Kidman’s Golden Globe nomination and endorsements from critics like Claudia Puig, who called it “one of her best performances ever,” underscored her impact.

The film was a box-office disappointment, grossing $5.6 million against a $9–12.4 million budget, but its critical reception and Kidman’s transformative role have cemented its cult status. Fans on X have championed its rediscovery, with posts like, “Nicole Kidman in Destroyer is unreal. She’s a total badass, and this thriller deserves more love!” Another user wrote, “Kusama and Kidman made a neo-noir gem. If you loved Ozark, check out Destroyer for that gritty vibe.”

A Gender-Bending Neo-Noir Masterpiece

Destroyer’s strength lies in its reinvention of the neo-noir genre, with Kidman’s Erin Bell challenging the archetype of the male antihero. Unlike traditional noir detectives, Erin is both perpetrator and victim, her descent into “hell” driven by guilt and loss rather than external corruption. The film’s exploration of motherhood, particularly in scenes with Shelby, adds a primal layer to Erin’s story, with Kidman noting that a scene carrying her daughter through the snow was so powerful it moved her to tears when reading the script.

The supporting cast, including Sebastian Stan as Chris, Tatiana Maslany as the gang’s desperate Petra, and Bradley Whitford as a sleazy lawyer, enhances the film’s emotional depth. Stan’s sensitive portrayal of Chris, doomed from the moment he declares his love, provides a heartbreaking counterpoint to Erin’s vengeance, while Maslany’s ravaged appearance mirrors Erin’s, highlighting the collateral damage of their world.

Legacy and Relevance

Destroyer’s release came at a time when Kidman was balancing high-profile roles in Aquaman and Boy Erased, showcasing her versatility. Her choice to work with Kusama, a female director, aligned with her advocacy for women in film, a commitment she reiterated in supporting projects like Bombshell. The film’s gritty realism and unflinching violence, including a bank heist and a disturbing scene involving a terminally ill gang member, push boundaries, making it a bold entry in the thriller drama canon.

For fans of Ozark or The Undoing, Destroyer offers a similarly intense, character-driven experience, with Kidman’s performance rivaling Jason Bateman’s layered work. Its exploration of trauma, morality, and redemption resonates in today’s climate, where nuanced portrayals of flawed women are increasingly celebrated. As The Verge noted, “Destroyer is a tremendous piece of filmmaking, fueled by Kusama’s fearless vision and Kidman’s transformative performance.”

Conclusion

Nicole Kidman’s transformation in Destroyer is a tour de force, redefining her as an actress unafraid to embrace the raw and unglamorous. Under Karyn Kusama’s deft direction, the film transcends its neo-noir roots, offering a gripping, emotionally resonant thriller that challenges gender norms and leaves a lingering impact. Despite its commercial struggles, Destroyer has earned its place as a cult classic, with Kidman’s portrayal of Erin Bell—a woman consumed by rage yet seeking connection—standing as a testament to her daring artistry. As fans rediscover this gem, Destroyer solidifies its status as a masterpiece of thriller drama, proving that Kidman’s willingness to “go bad very well” is a cinematic triumph.