Most people think of Nicole Kidman and they see the nose prosthetic from The Hours. Or they see the grieving mother from Rabbit Hole. They definitely don’t usually see a woman in a neon-bright Hula outfit shaking a coconut between her chest and Jennifer Aniston’s.
But that’s exactly what happened in 2011.
If you’ve ever scrolled through basic cable on a Sunday afternoon, you’ve hit it. Nicole Kidman in Just Go With It is one of those "wait, is that really her?" moments that stops you mid-channel surf. It’s weird. It’s campy. Honestly, it’s kind of brilliant in how much she clearly didn't care about her "prestige" reputation while filming it.
The Devlin Adams Paradox
Let's be real: Nicole Kidman didn't need to be in an Adam Sandler movie. At the time, she was coming off an Oscar nomination for Rabbit Hole. She’s Hollywood royalty. Yet, there she is, playing Devlin Adams, the "sorority nemesis" of Jennifer Aniston’s character, Katherine.
The role is basically a masterclass in being a "frenemy." Devlin is the girl from college who peaked early and never stopped reminding you about it. She’s fake. She’s overly competitive. She tells everyone her husband, Ian (played by Dave Matthews—yes, the singer), invented the iPod.
It's a total caricature.
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Kidman plays it with this high-octane energy that feels almost frantic. You can tell she’s having a blast being the "mean girl" for once. Most of her career is spent in hushed tones and dramatic lighting. In Just Go With It, she’s under the blazing Hawaii sun, wearing enough makeup to be seen from space, and leaning into the sheer absurdity of the plot.
Why the Coconut Scene is Core Cinema History
You know the one.
The "Coconut Challenge."
It’s the climax of the rivalry between Katherine and Devlin. They have to move a coconut up their bodies without using their hands. It is objectively ridiculous. It’s the kind of low-brow humor that critics usually use to tear Sandler movies apart. And yet, seeing an Academy Award winner commit that hard to a hula-based physical comedy bit is oddly transfixing.
She isn't "acting down." She isn't winking at the camera like she's too good for the material. She is in it.
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What Most People Get Wrong About This Role
There’s this narrative that Kidman did this movie because she was in a "slump." People look at The Golden Compass or Australia and think she was desperate for a hit.
I don't buy it.
If you look at her filmography, she has always been a bit of a wildcard. She did Paddington. She did Aquaman. She likes to play. The Nicole Kidman Just Go With It appearance was less about career strategy and more about the "Sandler Vacation Rule."
Basically, Adam Sandler invites his friends (and people he admires) to go to a beautiful location, hang out, and make a movie. Kidman reportedly took the role specifically because she wanted to do something light after the emotional heaviness of Rabbit Hole. She wanted to laugh.
The Hidden Depth of Devlin
Funny enough, the movie actually gives Devlin a moment of humanity. At the end, she admits her life is a lie. Her husband is gay, they’re getting divorced, and the iPod thing? Totally made up.
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It’s a tiny beat, but Kidman nails the transition from "plastic perfection" to "vulnerable mess" in about thirty seconds. It’s a reminder that even in a goofy rom-com, she can’t help but bring a little bit of that elite acting DNA to the table.
Why We’re Still Talking About It in 2026
We live in an era of "Prestige TV" and "Cinematic Universes." Everything feels very curated. Very serious.
Watching Nicole Kidman in Just Go With It feels like a relic of a time when movie stars were allowed to just be weird for a weekend. It’s a reminder that "High Art" and "Low Art" can coexist. You can win an Oscar and also do a movie where Nick Swardson pretends to be an Austrian sheep salesman named Dolph Lundgren.
The film itself received pretty mediocre reviews back in the day. Roger Ebert famously wasn't a fan. But audiences? We love it. It’s one of those movies that is infinitely rewatchable precisely because the cast is so over-qualified for the script.
Lessons From the Devlin Adams Playbook
If there’s any takeaway from Kidman’s performance, it’s about the power of the "pivot."
- Don't get boxed in: Even if you’re the "serious" one in your field, there’s value in showing you can handle the "silly" stuff.
- Commit to the bit: Half-hearted comedy is painful. Full-throttle comedy—even if it's dumb—is entertaining.
- Collaborate with different circles: Seeing the "Sandlerverse" collide with "Kidman-land" created a weirdly memorable chemistry that shouldn't have worked, but did.
Next time you’re feeling a bit too precious about your own reputation, just remember: Nicole Kidman once did a hula dance-off with Jennifer Aniston. And she didn't just do it—she won.
If you want to revisit this fever dream of a performance, you can usually find it streaming on platforms like Netflix or Hulu, depending on the month. It's the perfect "turn your brain off" movie that still lets you appreciate some top-tier acting talent.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Rewatch
- Watch the background: Kidman stays in character as the "judgmental frenemy" even when the focus is on Sandler. Her facial expressions are gold.
- The "Pre-iPod" Lie: Pay attention to how many times she brings up the iPod invention. It’s a running gag that gets funnier the more she insists on it.
- The Contrast: If you really want a trip, watch The Hours and then immediately watch the Hawaii dinner scene. It’s the ultimate testament to her range.