Tense and disturbing yet darkly amusing, Blink Twice pulls off some highly entertaining genre-bending twists as it unravels the mystery behind a too-good-to-be-true island paradise.
Blink Twice Review
Not all directorial debuts are created equal with some wowing and others falling well short of the memorable mark. I'm happy to say that Zoë Kravitz’s Blink Twice not only impresses but it captivates in a way reminiscent to Emerald Fennell's Promising Young Woman. Kravitz who co-wrote the film with E.T. Feigenbaum has crafted a genre-bending, psychological thriller that keeps you glued to the screen from start to finish. It's tense, disturbing, yet wickedly amusing. There is an unsettling vibe hanging over even the most innocent of scenes. Something is lurking there, but what exactly is it? Kravitz promises answers but only if we are willing to come along for the ride. Much like the characters in the film who jump headfirst into what feels like a dream, we the audience are equally eager to follow wherever Kravitz wants to lead.
Frida (Naomie Ackie) is a cocktail waitress who lives in a rundown apartment with her best friend Jess (Alia Shawkat). She dreams of a better life and a man who could make it happen– the tech mogul Slater King (Channing Tatum). Slater, we learn through a montage of media, has just reintroduced himself to society after taking time away to seek therapy and reform himself after some sort of major wrongdoings. Their worlds collide when Frida and Jess meet him at his company's yearly gala where he invites them to his private island for a getaway with his elite friend group. Soon they are lounging in the pool with an endless supply of champagne by day and tripping out of their minds at night thanks to a mix of drugs and alcohol. Everything seems perfect, albeit too perfect, and there are constant, subtle reminders that something is off.
Fans of the genre will be quick to notice some similarities between Blink Twice and other prominent thrillers. Before it takes a sinister turn, the first act of the film resembles Rian Johnson's “Knives Out” in the eat-the-rich subgenre. It has an ensemble cast full of talent that is an equal mix of newer stars and veteran actors. Plus there is a slice of the whodunit lingering over the proceedings. Once it reveals its true nature, the comparisons to Jordan Peele’s “Get Out” are imminent. There is animal symbolism, the isolated getaway, and some other points that to write here would give too much away. Kravitz takes these inspirations and turns them on their head, heading in her own direction to break new ground and subvert expectations. Blink Twice is smart, biting, and wickedly funny yet never at the expense of its message, which itself is never presented in a way that seems preachy or heavy-handed.
Before going any further, Blink Twice wouldn't be as compelling as it is without the stellar, emotionally layered performance of Ackie. The story is grounded through her and her revelations become ours. As Ackie takes us through it, giving an awards-worthy performance while she's at it, everything becomes real– the excitement, the lust, the terror, and the resolve. Her story is one that any woman can relate to which makes her situation all the more distressing– this could happen to you. Ackie also gets the benefit of having two equally strong women as her onscreen partners. Shawkat’s Jess is more sensible than Frida but also gives into the lure of temptation. But even in the midst of her partying, Shawkat's trademark dry wit makes her delivery of lines like “So do you think the human sacrifices are before or after dinner?” both funny and horrifying as we the audience know she can't be too far off.
Tatum turns in a career best performance here as Slater. His charisma and inherent rom-com allure make it hard to resist him. He is shockingly good at taking his most well-known attributes (aside from his dance moves) and turning them into something sinister. Slater is every self-righteous, wealthy, privileged man we have ever seen who puts on a sympathetic show in order to gain trust. Tatum skillfully uses Slater's more endearing qualities and his past trauma to make you almost feel sorry for him. The biggest scene stealer is Adria Arjona (Andor, Good Omens) as Sarah, a reality TV star who at first is vying for Slater's attention. It is through Sarah that Kravitz and Feigenbaum deliver one of their strongest messages– women are taught to compete with each other, when they ought to be supporting one another. That might sound a little contrived reading it but when she says it during a particularly nerve-racking moment it feels perfect. The rest of the supporting cast that includes Geena Davis, Christian Slater, and Kyle MacLachlan are equally impressive and sometimes shocking.
Kravitz kills it (no pun intended) with her clear vision and sharp eye for what is going to aid getting the story across. Assisted by Adam Newport-Berra's cinematography and Kathryn J. Schubert's editing, Blink Twice feels fun, lively, and sleek before things get bloody and tense. Slater's so-called P*ssy Island is warm and inviting, everyone is clad in all white which is a “rich” thing (or maybe a serial killer thing), but within this idyllic setting Kravitz, along with her team, are laying out clues that raise the hairs on your neck. Despite his gentlemanly charm and seemingly genuine desire to get to know Frida, Slater's smiles almost seem scripted, as if he took notes from Booktok boyfriend edits and formulated it all into a personality for himself. But his demeanor is disarming and you can't blame Frida for falling for it. That old saying about things being too good to be true applies fully here. We know Frida is in danger but we don't know exactly how or why.
From the repetitive moments that make you feel stuck in an unending time loop to the constant question of are you having a good time that feels less genuine each time it's uttered, it's all enough to make your skin crawl without ever telling you what's going on– until it's time for the reveal. When the payoff hits it is well earned. Kravitz has given us everything we needed to solve the mystery but it isn't until some sense (and tequila) is knocked into Frida that the realization hits. That's when things get truly disturbing and some audience members may have wanted a trigger warning or two. Kravitz and Feigenbaum then pull out all the stops for a third act that is unexpected and darkly humorous.
Verdict
Blink Twice is an impressive directorial debut by Zoë Kravitz that packs in genre-bending twists, while delivering a smartly written and executed story that never overstays its welcome. From start to finish, audiences will be drawn into this sinister world full of luxury, intrigue, terror, and dark humor. Bolstered by an eclectic ensemble cast with its leads pulling out all the stops, Blink Twice makes it so you can't look away. Seeing how Kravitz handled this project makes me excited for whatever she chooses to set her sights on next, whether within this genre or in something completely different. If this doesn't win her anything in the upcoming award season I will be shocked.
Blink Twice releases in theaters August 23. It is rated R for strong violent content, sexual assault, drug use and language throughout, and some sexual references with a runtime of 102 minutes.
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