Halina Reijn

Halina Reijn is a Dutch filmmaker, writer, and former actress known for her bold, psychologically charged films. Her work consistently explores female desire, power dynamics, and taboo subjects with unflinching honesty. Reijn earned international acclaim with Babygirl (2024), an erotic thriller starring Nicole Kidman that premiered at Venice and was acquired by A24. Her debut feature Instinct (2019) won the Golden Calf for Best Director and the Special Jury Prize at Locarno. Now based in Los Angeles, she is developing multiple projects for A24 and major studios, and was named one of Variety's International Directors to Watch. Her fans admire her fearless storytelling and her commitment to making cinema that confronts uncomfortable truths.[edit]

Halina Reijn was born on November 10, 1975, in Amsterdam, Netherlands. She spent her formative years in her birthplace, growing up in a creative household, though details about her parents and specific upbringing have largely remained private. Her early talents and interests led her to pursue formal training in the performing arts. She enrolled at the prestigious Amsterdam Academy of Dramatic Arts, where she honed her skills and developed her distinctive artistic voice, ultimately graduating in 1998.

Even before completing her studies, Reijn made her initial foray into screen acting with a role in the 1997 film De Vliegende Hollander. Upon graduating in 1998, she immediately joined Toneelgroep Amsterdam, one of the Netherlands' most esteemed theatre companies. There, she quickly established herself through her compelling performances in intense, emotionally raw stage productions. Her career trajectory took a significant turn with her breakthrough role as Liesbeth in the Dutch television series Gooische Vrouwen (2005–2008). This local adaptation of Desperate Housewives proved to be a pivotal moment for Reijn, who, despite initially turning down the role twice, eventually accepted it. The immense popularity of the show turned her into a household name across the Netherlands, solidifying her status as a prominent actress.[edit]

After Gooische Vrouwen ended, Reijn continued acting but began writing. She published her debut novel De avond is ongemak in 2014, which she later adapted into a screenplay. Her directorial debut Instinct (2019) premiered at the Locarno Film Festival, where it won the Special Jury Prize. The film, a psychological thriller about a female sex therapist, also earned her the Golden Calf for Best Director at the Netherlands Film Festival. In 2024, she directed Babygirl, an erotic thriller starring Nicole Kidman, Harris Dickinson, and Sophie Wilde. The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival to strong reviews, with Kidman winning the Volpi Cup for Best Actress. A24 acquired the film for US distribution, marking Reijn's international breakthrough. She is now based in Los Angeles and is developing an untitled thriller for A24, as well as a TV series adaptation of Instinct.[edit]

Reijn is known for a minimalist, intellectual aesthetic, she often wears tailored blazers, dark colors, and minimal makeup on red carpets. Her films feature tense, intimate close-ups and a focus on female psychology. Dutch media have called her provocative and fearless, while international press labels her a new voice in feminist erotic cinema. She uses Instagram primarily for professional updates: behind-the-scenes photos, festival appearances, and film recommendations. She rarely posts personal content and avoids controversy. Her fans, sometimes called Reijn-fans in the Netherlands, admire her uncompromising vision and her willingness to tackle difficult subjects.[edit]

Halina Reijn stands as a distinct force in contemporary cinema, her reputation cemented by bold psychological thrillers that dissect female desire with surgical precision. Her trajectory from Dutch actress to international auteur has propelled her into the global spotlight, a status quantified by the 55th most famous person from Netherlands ranking within the iFANN Global Fame Rankings. This placement reflects a steady hold following the Venice premiere of Babygirl, a project that brought Nicole Kidman's star power into Reijn's orbit and secured an A24 acquisition. The film's success transformed her from a regional talent into a globally recognized director, a shift tracked across media coverage and cultural consumption signals worldwide. While her films generate intense critical debate and festival buzz, her fanbase remains a professional cohort rather than a mobilized mob. There is no documented formal name for her supporters, nor are there records of organized campaigns or ritualistic gatherings dedicated to her work. Her audience engages through standard industry channels like Q&A sessions and festival appearances, drawn by her fearless storytelling rather than celebrity spectacle. Unlike pop idols who command street-crowding mobs, Reijn's legacy is built on the quiet intensity of her craft and the anticipation surrounding upcoming projects like Please. The absence of viral folklore or legendary public incidents does not diminish her standing; instead, it underscores a career defined by artistic integrity over manufactured hype. She commands respect in boardrooms and screening rooms alike, proving that in modern cinema, the director's vision can drive fame without the need for traditional idolatry.[edit]

Before becoming a celebrated filmmaker, Halina Reijn wrote her novel De avond is ongemak in a single month while taking a break from her acting career. She possesses fluency in four languages: Dutch, English, French, and German. Though trained as a classical pianist, she rarely discusses this musical background in interviews. A small star tattoo adorns her left wrist, inked shortly after her first film won an award. She has never owned a television set and prefers to experience movies exclusively in cinemas. Her cinematic influences include Lynne Ramsay, Todd Haynes, and Chantal Akerman. Initially, she declined her role in Gooische Vrouwen twice before finally accepting the part. Recent industry news highlights her directing the upcoming A24 film Please, which features Gracie Abrams in her acting debut alongside Lola Tung and Connor Storrie. This project marks another high-profile collaboration for Reijn, expanding her portfolio beyond the erotic thriller genre of Babygirl. Her work continues to draw attention for its unflinching exploration of taboo subjects and complex female psychology.[edit]

Reijn keeps her family life extremely private. She has not publicly named her parents or siblings. She is not married and has no children. She currently rents an apartment in Los Angeles and has no known pets. In interviews, she has described her upbringing as creative but has not shared specific details about her household.[edit]

Reijn frequently collaborates with cinematographer Jasper Wolf and composer Ella van der Woude. She is close friends with actress Carice van Houten, her former Gooische Vrouwen co-star. Nicole Kidman starred in Babygirl and is rumored to work with her again. Her films are distributed by A24, and she began her career with Toneelgroep Amsterdam.[edit]

Halina Reijn has kept her romantic life extremely private. In the mid-2000s, Dutch tabloids speculated about a relationship with actress Carice van Houten, her close friend and Gooische Vrouwen co-star. Both have denied the rumors, describing each other as dear friends and creative soulmates. In the early 2010s, media linked her to actress Rifka Lodeizen, another collaborator, but again no confirmation was given. As of 2026, Reijn is single and has not publicly dated anyone since moving to Los Angeles. She has stated she prefers to keep her private life out of the public eye.[edit]

As of 2026, Halina Reijn's net worth is estimated at around $3 million per iFANN's editorial analysis. Her primary income streams derive from directing fees, including a mid-six-figure payment for Babygirl against a budget of approximately $15 million and a lower six-figure sum for her debut feature Instinct. She also collects ongoing residuals from her earlier acting work on Gooische Vrouwen, which maintains a steady streaming presence in the Netherlands. Revenue from her domestic novel sales further contributes to her financial profile. Despite her rising profile, she has not launched a production company or pursued major endorsement deals. Currently renting in Los Angeles, she has not publicly invested in real estate assets. Her wealth has grown steadily since her international breakthrough in 2024.[edit]

Reijn won the Golden Calf for Best Director and Best Feature Film for Instinct in 2019. The film also earned the Special Jury Prize at the Locarno Film Festival. Earlier, she won a Golden Calf for Best Actress for De Vliegende Hollander (1997) and was part of the cast that won Best Television Drama for Gooische Vrouwen (2006).[edit]