Blink Twice Movie Review: Zoë Kravitz Delivers a Surreal and Impressive Directorial Debut in This Gripping Cinematic Experience

Naomi Ackie as Frida in ‘Blink Twice’ (Photo: Carlos Somonte/Amazon Content Services LLC)

Director: Zoë Kravitz

Writer(s): Zoë Kravitz, E.T. Feigenbaum

Starring: Naomi Ackie, Channing Tatum, Christian Slater, Simon Rex, Adria Arjona

Studio(s): Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Free Association, FilmNation Entertainment, this is important

Distributor(s): Amazon MGM Studios, Warner Bros. Pictures

Genre: Psychological thriller/Suspense 

Runtime: 102 Minutes

Released: August 23, 2024

Summary

• Tatum's portrayal of Slater King is a refreshing departure from his usual roles, as he takes on a dark, menacing character who feels like a devil in disguise.
• Ackie delivers a bold and layered performance, both sensitive and impressive, making Frida a captivating character to watch.
• Blink Twice is an innovative and genre-defying film that thoughtfully reimagines the standards of contemporary filmmaking.

Zoë Kravitz makes an impressive directorial debut with Blink Twice, originally titled Pussy Island. The film highlights her adeptness in direction, with her sharp sense of pacing and masterful screenwriting setting it apart. Kravitz's creativity and passion for filmmaking are evident throughout, as she conveys her vision with remarkable ease, elevating the film to a higher echelon. E.T. Feigenbaum co-writes the screenplay, contributing to a resonant and captivating story.

While Blink Twice aims to deliver an exceptional visual experience, it occasionally falters in its character development. Some characters don’t receive enough screen time, preventing the audience from truly connecting with them, as they fade away without further depth. A prime example is Jess (played by Alia Shawkat), an intriguing character who serves as one of the film’s foundations but doesn't get the exploration she deserves.

Despite these challenges, Kravitz skillfully navigates potential pitfalls, showcasing her directorial prowess by keeping the narrative moving forward, even during slower moments in the middle acts. The ominous tension in the opening scenes gives the film a horror-like atmosphere before it shifts to its central focus, illustrating Kravitz's attention to detail in a provocative way. The pacing is brisk yet engaging, allowing the audience to stay invested as the plot takes swift, unexpected turns.

I won't delve into too much detail about the actors to avoid revealing key plot points and spoiling the experience. However, I’ll focus on the main cast, whose performances are exceptional. The casting is flawless, particularly Naomi Ackie in the lead role of (Frida), an animal-themed nail artist and cocktail waitress. She and her co-worker Jess sneak away from serving during Slater King’s (played by Channing Tatum) fundraising party. Tatum's portrayal of Slater King is a refreshing departure from his usual roles, as he takes on a dark, menacing character who feels like a devil in disguise.

The tech billionaire invites Frida and Jess to his private tropical island for what seems like a dream vacation. Without hesitation, the two accept, indulging in a lavish lifestyle filled with an overwhelming amount of champagne, drugs, and reckless excess. In the film's opening scenes, it is revealed that Frida has been stalking Slater King on Instagram, hinting at her desire to be part of his world and experience his wealth. Ackie delivers a bold and layered performance, both sensitive and impressive, making Frida a captivating character to watch.

Channing Tatum as Slater King, left, and Naomi Ackie as Frida, right. (Photo: Carlos Somonte/Amazon Content Services LLC)

Zoë Kravitz’s knack for crafting scripts that ignite creativity is what makes Blink Twice feel fresh, despite the saturated nature of the genre she tackles. It's easy to distinguish films nowadays when a producer lacks the imagination and drive to bring new ideas to life. However, Kravitz knows exactly when to switch gears, deliberately transforming familiar concepts into something innovative and engaging.

Slater King, the CEO of King-Tech, maintains a delicate balance between a charming lover and a manipulative womanizer, exploiting his privilege and power to take advantage of women like Frida. Given Frida's gender and occupation, she is portrayed as another girl willing to do anything to be part of his world.

The dialogue is well-paced and written in a way that is both captivating and natural. Slater King and Frida share palpable, sensual chemistry, with their exchanges feeling effortless and genuine. Once again, Kravitz excels in maintaining cohesion between the script, plot, and dialogue. The film flows smoothly until the final acts, where certain scenes feel rushed and hastily assembled to fill gaps. Nonetheless, Kravitz’s directorial talent shines through, overcoming the few moments that threaten to derail the film’s vision.

Channing Tatum as Slater King (Photo: Amazon Content Services LLC)

Blink Twice unfolds with the allure of a fantasy or mystery film, with the mood and atmosphere in the early scenes adding depth and color, especially on the island where the visuals are vibrant and full of life. The lighting and framing are expertly balanced, elevating the overall experience. While the cinematography is commendable, the editing occasionally falters, particularly in the later scenes when Frida discovers that Slater King and his team have been exploiting the women, drugging them with snake venom cocktails and taking advantage of them.

Although I didn’t intend to reveal these plot points, they illustrate the issues with the film's editing. The mid and final acts feel disconnected, especially during the scenes where the women begin their retreat and take revenge. Despite its stunning visuals, the editing is inconsistent and needed more refinement to align with the film’s intended standard and achieve its full potential.

The sound design in Blink Twice is both dark and impactful, creating suspense and capturing the audience's attention. Zoë Kravitz skillfully oversees the sound direction, ensuring it aligns perfectly with the film's tone. The selection of songs was carefully curated and flawlessly incorporated into key scenes, enhancing both the atmosphere and emotional resonance. The soundtrack blends genres such as R&B/Soul, jazz, and funk, featuring notable tracks like "The Boss" by James Brown, "Somebody Made for Me" by Emitt Rhodes, and "I'm That Girl" by Beyoncé. This rich, dynamic soundtrack adds depth and strengthens the film’s narrative.

Blink Twice offers a compelling and insightful exploration of how feminism can be exploited by the rich and powerful. The film addresses how men in positions of influence often abuse their power in unethical and dehumanizing ways. Frida, though initially naive, embodies a determined and relentless woman fighting for justice. This is evident when she poisons Slater King with snake venom, erasing his memories and reclaiming her power by becoming the CEO of King-Tech. The film is a powerful portrayal of what women can achieve when given a fair opportunity to claim power and success.

Blink Twice is an innovative and genre-defying film that thoughtfully reimagines the standards of contemporary filmmaking. As her debut as a lead director, Zoë Kravitz impressively navigates this project with remarkable autonomy. While the film is an enjoyable experience, it would benefit from additional refinement in the editing process.

I enjoyed the film but I'm uncertain whether everyone will share the same sentiment. Blink Twice may not resonate with all viewers, as it delves into mature themes and sexual violence that could be unsettling for some. Viewer discretion is advised.

Now playing in theaters.

Film Score: 71%🍿