In her fearless directorial debut, Zoë Kravitz crafts a tense thriller in Blink Twice, inviting audiences into a world where power dynamics teeter precariously on the edge of chaos. Drawing thematic inspiration from films like Get Out, Midsommar, and Hereditary, Kravitz weaves an unsettling narrative that challenges societal norms and explores the dark underbelly of power and manipulation.
In Blink Twice, luxury and danger collide on an isolated island. Tech billionaire Slater King (Channing Tatum) invites a group of rich friends for a decadent weekend escape, promising an unforgettable experience. Among them is Frida (Naomie Ackie, Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody), a sharp-witted cocktail waitress with a mysterious past.
However, the island's idyllic facade quickly unravels when they realize their host's intentions are far from innocent. With their lives hanging in the balance, the group must decipher a series of cryptic clues to escape, all while battling the island's psychological terrors.
Though it should really be no surprise, Ackie delivers a masterful performance here, carrying the weight of the film's emotional and psychological complexity with grace and intensity. Known mostly for her role as Bonnie in TV’s “The End of the F***ing World” and her breakout performance in 2016’s Lady MacBeth, she is one to be watched going forward. Her convincing transformation from a naive participant to a determined truth-seeker is both inspiring and heartbreaking. She perfectly captures the essence of Kravitz's exploration of what might happen when women decide to break free from the societal games that confine them.
Tatum's portrayal of Slater King, a charismatic tech billionaire whose charm hides a darker agenda, is both captivating and unnerving. His performance adds layers of believability to the narrative, reminiscent of the eeriness of Stepford Wives, where everything appears picture-perfect on the surface but is riddled with sinister undertones beneath. He makes us believe this shit could really happen.
Blink Twice finds its biggest success in its ability to make us question the very nature of power, from its subtle seductions to its gross abuses. Kravitz, who co-writes alongside E.T. Feigenbaum, expertly handles the subject matter as she slowly rolls it out with a nuanced approach, never sensationalizing the harrowing experiences but instead presenting them with an honesty that resonates deeply. The film isn't about female empowerment per se, but rather a profound commentary on the reclamation of female strength in a world designed to suppress it.
Representing a huge achievement, particularly for a first-time director, the pacing in Blink Twice is taut and relentless, with Kravitz skillfully building tension by capitalizing on the atmospheric cinematography from DP Adam Newport-Berra and a haunting score by Chanda Dancy. The island setting, simultaneously beautiful and sinister, enhances the sense of claustrophobia as Frida navigates the treacherous waters of deceit and betrayal. Christian Slater and Alia Shawkat add depth to the supporting cast, each contributing to the film's eerie ambiance with their own intriguing performances.
Despite its despicable subject matter, Blink Twice doesn’t wallow in despair; rather, it offers a glimmer of hope through Frida's resilience and courage. The film succeeds in holding a mirror to society, challenging us to consider the implications of unchecked power and the courage it takes to defy it. Sure, we have to take it all in with a healthy dose of disbelief – would anyone really just hop on a plane to a private island with someone they just met? Probably not, but real life has taught us that people have actually done that – Epstein didn’t kill himself.
For thriller enthusiasts, Blink Twice is a compelling addition to the genre—an unsettling yet rewarding exploration of the human condition when stripped of artifice. This is Kravitz’s film through and through, and she proves herself a formidable storyteller, and her directorial voice is one that commands attention and respect going forward. Don’t know if we are watching the birth of a legendary filmmaker, or if it was just a lucky first strike. Regardless, her debut will undoubtedly leave an indelible impression, encouraging us to confront uncomfortable truths and, perhaps, blink twice at the world around us.
MPAA Rating: R.
Runtime: 106 mins
Director: Zoë Kravitz
Writer: Zoë Kravitz; E.T. Feigenbaum
Cast: Naomi Ackie; Channing Tatum; Alia Shawkat
Genre: Psychological Thriller | Mystery
Tagline: Are you having a good time?
Memorable Movie Quote: "Are you having a good time."
Theatrical Distributor: Amazon MGM Studios
Official Site: https://www.mgm.com/movies/blink-twice
Release Date: August 23, 2024
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:
Synopsis: When tech billionaire Slater King meets cocktail waitress Frida at his fundraising gala, he invites her to join him and his friends on a dream vacation on his private island. As strange things start to happen, Frida questions her reality.
