THE STORY – When tech billionaire Slater King meets cocktail waitress Frida at his fundraising gala, he invites her to join him and his friends for a dream vacation on his private island. Wild nights soon blend into sun-soaked days, but when strange things start to happen, Frida must uncover the truth if she hopes to make it out alive.
THE CAST – Naomi Ackie, Channing Tatum, Christian Slater, Simon Rex, Adria Arjona, Kyle MacLachlan, Haley Joel Osment, Geena Davis & Alia Shawkat
THE TEAM – Zoë Kravitz (Director/Writer) & E.T. Feigenbaum (Writer)
THE RUNNING TIME – 102 Minutes
If it’s almost too good to be true, that means it probably is. For Frida (“I Wanna Dance With Somebody’s” Naomi Ackie), a cocktail waitress at a fundraising gala for disgraced tech billionaire Slater King (Channing Tatum), it means getting personally invited by him to join him and his friends on his private island for a never-ending parade of drinks, drugs, smiles and good times. However, when Frida and her best friend Jess (Alia Shawkat) start to notice everyone is behaving the same in such a similar happy-go-lucky kind of way, day after day, with little grasp on what day it is anymore, what has happened the day before and if they are ever going to leave what seems like a tropical paradise and return home, they start asking questions regarding King’s true motivations, which uncover unimaginable horrors. In short, never trust billionaires. Especially those who have been called out for their behavior and embark on a pandering apology tour.
Zoë Kravitz has proved herself to be a formidable actress over the years with roles in the acclaimed HBO drama series “Big Little Lies,” “X-Men: First Class,” The Divergent and Fantastic Beasts franchises, and the Hulu series “High Fidelity.” Now, for the first time, she’s stepping behind the camera as director to bring audiences a terrifying psychological thriller with its fair share of fun and playful moments, courtesy of the well-orchestrated ensemble she has assembled to execute her vision. Kravitz volleys back and forth between absurd, dark comedy, and tension-filled horror, creating an on-edge experience for the audience and, eventually, divulging into rage-fueled revenge in a blood-soaked finale. This concocted blend of societal commentary and genre makes “Blink Twice” a must-watch for those looking for a good time at the movies with some substance to their storytelling.
“Blink Twice” takes its time setting up Frida and Jess’s strong relationship as roommates and friends, how they’re not being afforded many prospects in life, and how a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity like this from a rich, dashing, famous man can seem like a dream come true for any woman out there. Once on the island, the women meet a whole slew of eccentric characters, including Vic (Christian Slater), Cody (Simon Rex), and his girlfriend Sarah (Adria Arjona), Tom (Hayley Joel Osment), Slater’s therapist (Kyle McLachlan), and older sister (Genna Davis). Not all of them are really fleshed out as characters, but they mostly stand out for a few key one-liners or surprise moments of levity. The exception who rises higher than her other supporting colleagues is Arjona, who already dazzled and wowed audiences earlier this year with her captivating performance in Richard Linklater’s “Hit Man” and continues her 2024 streak with another standout turn as the ex “Hot Babes Survivor” contestant who puts her survival skills to the test in ways she never could’ve possibly imagined.
Although the side characters are not given equal balance, Ackie and Tatum make a meal out of their roles, bringing audiences along for the ride in different ways. Ackie’s portrayal of Frida as a strong anchor, providing her with strength and a sense of awareness, makes her more intelligent and resilient than most characters in similar situations. She’s not a helpless victim but a beacon of hope in a perilous situation, endearing her to the audience and making her very easy to root for as she slowly pieces together what is really happening on the island. Tatum, who is also a co-producer on the film and Kravitz’s real-life fiance, is given one of his best roles to date as a wealthy billionaire who seems only to be concerned with everyone having a good time on his island while he attempts to rehabilitate his image with the public. As the film progresses, we see a more sinister side emerge of a man completely detached from reality, and Tatum plays it flawlessly, further showcasing his range in what has been an exciting time in his ever-evolving career.
For her part, Kravitz does an excellent job of toying with the audience’s minds through clever uses of editing (the title card, in particular, is a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it brilliant choice) and sound design, leaning on the horror genre to produce some jumpscares but mostly to create an aura of unease in a place where everything seems idyllic, warm and inviting. It’s a wise setup, tying deeper into the film’s themes of those who present themselves in artificial ways, displaying their true nature to have darker desires underneath. While Kravitz effectively achieves the setup and execution of the film’s reveal, the third act feels a bit rushed, with many unanswered questions and a final moment just before the credits, perhaps tipping its scales too far on pandering to its intended audience past the point of believability. Despite this, Kravitz proves she’s a director worth taking seriously, crafting a twisted thriller that toys with the audiences’ expectations and emotions, asking them if they’re having a good time just before the rug gets pulled out from underneath them and the true nature of the film is exposed.
