Nicole Kidman says she often wakes up 'crying and gasping’ for one heartbreaking reason

Nicole Kidman is opening up about her emotions as she reflects on family life.

The iconic actress who stars in Babygirl, a film about an older woman who has an affair with a younger employee, spoke about the film in a new interview.

She spoke candidly about embracing her 50s, explaining how her emotions are ‘even more’ close to the surface.

“Mortality. Connection. Life coming and hitting you,” the 57-year-old told GQ.

She also shared some of the emotions she feels more intensely.

“And [the] loss of parents and raising children and marriage and all of the things that go into making you a fully sentient human. I’m in all of those places. So life is, whew. It’s definitely a journey.”

The Oscar-winning actress shares daughter Bella, 31, and son Connor, 29, with ex-husband Tom Cruise.

She also shares daughters Sunday Rose, 16, and Faith Margaret, 13, with husband Keith Urban, 57.

Kidman added: “And it hits you as you get older how … it’s a wake up at 3 a.m. crying and gasping kind of thing. If you’re in it and not numbing yourself to it. And I’m in it. Fully in it.”

The Invasion star’s mother, Janelle Ann, died in September aged 84, which prompted Kidman to leave the Venice International Film Festival early to return to Australia.

Kidman won Best Actress at the festival for her role in Babygirl, and the film’s director, Halina Reijn, read a statement on her behalf.

“Today I arrived in Venice to find out shortly after, that my beautiful, brave mother Janelle Ann Kidman has just passed,” the statement read.

“I am in shock and I have to go to my family, but this award is for her, she shaped me, she guided me and she made me.

“I am beyond grateful that I get to say her name to all of you through Halina, the collision of life and art is heart-breaking, and my heart is broken.”

Last month, Kidman revealed the surprising reason why she’s in so many acting projects this year, including A Family Affair, Babygirl, The Perfect Couple, Expats, and the second season of Nine Perfect Strangers.

While admitting in an interview with Variety how she has considered taking a break from the industry, there's a surprising reason why Kidman wants to be involved in so many projects.

She told the outlet: "There are so many opportunities in terms of being able to be of service to the people who are coming up, and using what I have and can do for people like [Babygirl writer and director] Helena [Reijn]. It’s very hard for me to go, ‘Okay, I’m just going to take care of myself,’ because I’m so much about taking care of other people."

Kidman continued: "I’m thinking, ‘I can create more work for people. I can create jobs for people.’ And also, I love it. I have the passion. I’ve just got to take care of my body. I wish I had superpowers because I would love to be everywhere.

"This is what I dreamed of since I was a little girl. I love what I do so I’m going just give it my all, and then I don’t go out. I go home to be with my family. We do things together. I’m not going out to nightclubs."