Viewers Say Laura Dern Is ‘So Old’ for Love Affair with ‘Too Young’ Liam Hemsworth in ‘Lonely Planet’ Movie: 3 Pics

Netflix has released a captivating sneak peek of the upcoming film “Lonely Planet,” set against the backdrop of a serene retreat in Morocco.

The streaming giant has shared three exclusive photos from the romance movie, which is set to premiere on October 11, 2024.

It follows a woman who embarks on a transformative journey after meeting a young man. Their initial acquaintanceship soon deepens into an intense, life-changing romance.

The film promises to be a captivating exploration of love and connection. 57-year-old Dern and Hemsworth, who hit 34 on January 13, 2024, are leading the way in this compelling narrative, but some fans are concerned about their age difference.

Fans shared their opinion on this age difference of more than 20 years, with one person remarking, “Eww. He’s too young for that. She’ll tear him up.”

Another questioned, “She could be his mom?!! What is the deal? The Nicole Kidman/Zac Efron movie was terrible. Why is this a thing? Gives me the ick.”

A third viewer expressed frustration, saying, “Yuck. Come on. I am tired of this old lady young guy thing. Match them with their age already. Been there too many times.”

Another user added, “She is so old. Can’t imagine being him.” However, not everyone was critical, with one fan pointing out, “Laura is 57 and Liam is 34. Some of y’all are making it weird.”

“Lonely Planet,” by Susannah Grant, gives Dern the role of Katherine, a novelist who travels abroad. She unexpectedly finds herself in the midst of an unconventional love story.

What attracted Laura Dern to the story was its focus on identity and self-worth within relationships. She also loved that the narration was particularly set against the backdrop of the intellectually stimulating literary world.

The actress found the dynamic between the older, established writer and the younger man intriguing, noting that the story delves into more than just a simple romance. “It’s about finding someone who truly sees and understands you, which is something deeply human and relatable,” she shared.

Dern and Hemsworth became friends really fast while shooting the movie in Morocco. “Liam was pure magic,” said the movie star. The two understood each other due to their mutual desire for honesty and intimacy in relationships.

This made the experience of working together particularly meaningful. “We were very aligned, so getting to tell this story together meant the world … and he is friggin’ hilarious, so I laughed the entire time,” Dern disclosed.

Hemsworth also praised the Oscar winner, saying, “Sharing scenes with Laura Dern was an absolute privilege. She has this remarkable talent for drawing you in, making every moment feel intimate and real.”

As the release date approaches, “Lonely Planet” is set to be both a captivating love story and a conversation starter. Whether the unconventional pairing will win over audiences remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the film is already generating buzz.

Still, this will not be the first time a similar debate, regarding costars age gaps, has arisen. Nicole Kidman pushed boundaries in her role in the upcoming erotic thriller, “Babygirl.” Her steamy scenes with Harris Dickinson, who is 29 years her junior, ignited a heated online debate.

The film centers around a high-powered CEO, Romy (Kidman) who puts her career and family on the line when she begins a sultry affair with her much younger intern, Samuel (Dickinson).

A sneak peek of the scene shows Kidman and Dickinson in a close, intimate moment in a pool, which has sparked a hot debate online.

Following the post by Vanity Fair, fans are buzzing with reactions as spicy as the movie itself, with many sharing their diverse opinions about Kidman’s steamy performance with the younger co-star. One protective fan humorously cried, “GET MY BOYFRIEND AWAY FROM THAT OLD WOMAN!”

Others seemed to have picked up on a pattern in Kidman’s recent roles, with one person cheekily noting, “I’m starting to see a trend in Kidman’’ movies—affairs with younger men.” This same fan added a lighthearted jab, “I hope Keith Urban is still cool with it.”

Several other comments hinted at what might be Hollywood’s newest trend: older women being paired with younger men. “Old women with young guys is the latest trend in Hollywood,” they observed.

Another took it a step further, suggesting that these roles make “older lady audiences feel good about themselves and bring young guys’ cougar fantasies to life.”

Some reactions were a bit more pointed, with one person noting, “It’s pretty interesting that she still plays roles like that at almost 60[sic].” Another commenter even speculated about Kidman’s home life, “Maybe Keith Urban is into it?”

Still, some fans are fully embracing the heat, with one simply exclaiming, “Omg Steamy!!!!” Another person gushed, “I love Nicole too much! Best actress out there!” Still, the person dropped a bit of shade, “But the fact that she is paired with all young guys lately is a bit cringey! 🙃” Another suggested, “Oscar for Nicole.”

And then there were the reminders of her last daring role, with someone simply pleading, “Please no awkward scenes like the ones with Zac Efron!!” referring to Kidman’s previous rom-com, “A Family Affair,” which premiered in June.

In a recent interview, Kidman, 57, reflected on her role in “Babygirl,” describing it as more exposed than any project she has previously worked on. Despite her extensive film career, Kidman mentioned that “Babygirl” stands out for its raw intensity. “I’ve made some films that are pretty exposing, but not like this,” she said.

She admitted to not having seen the film yet and was unsure if she would watch it at its upcoming premiere at the Venice International Film Festival.

Nicole Kidman expressed uncertainty about whether she would be able to handle the high-pressure experience of seeing it with an audience. While she acknowledge that the film was intended for a grand display, she questioned her own bravery in facing it.

Regarding the film’s intimate scenes, the actress emphasized the importance of safety and professionalism. The scenes, filmed in long takes by director Halina Reijn, were carefully choreographed with the help of intimacy coordinators.

These coordinators guided Kidman and co-star Dickinson,28, through the scenes. They ensured that each moment of pleasure and discomfort was authentically portrayed.

Even though Kidman was deeply engaged in the work, she noted the process was demanding. It left her feeling emotionally drained and at times overwhelmed. She described feeling very exposed as an actress and a person and struggled with the notion of sharing her vulnerability with the world.