Zoë Kravitz’s (The Batman) directorial debut, Blink Twice, is both provocative and bold, captivating you from the moment the first frame flickers into life. We watch Naomi Ackie’s (Doctor Who) Frida stare at her phone with a vacant intensity that screams something has already gone wrong. That discomfort is intentional. It’s what writer/director Zoë Kravitz and her co-writer E.T. Feigenbaum want you to feel—as though the world they’ve invited you into is irrevocably tilted, and they keep you spinning from there.
Blink Twice plays with familiar beats, but with an energy and pace that keeps you fully engaged. Within the first ten minutes, Frida and Jess are whisked away to an idyllic island by the ultra-wealthy Slater King, played by Channing Tatum (Deadpool and Wolverine). Days by the pool and nights filled with hallucinogens become the norm, and Kravitz’s filmmaking keeps the atmosphere lively and immersive.
The ensemble cast enhances the film’s appeal. Christian Slater, Haley Joel Osment, Kyle MacLachlan, and Geena Davis bring charisma to King’s inner circle. The island is so intoxicating that when the inevitable downturn comes, it’s not just shocking—it’s a gut punch that leaves you questioning your complicity in the fun.
Kravitz and Feigenbaum pack the film with themes of gender, wealth, and power, along with subtle nods to race. While some of these themes are presented straightforwardly, especially in the finale, they’re not entirely novel. Yet, they resonate within the context of the story, even if the dialogue occasionally feels like it’s holding the audience’s hand a bit too much. This handholding is a common issue in major studio releases and doesn’t detract too much from the overall experience.
What may polarise viewers, however, is the film’s finale. The intense and abrupt reveal pushes the film into genuine stomach-churning territory. For some, the cruelty of the final act might feel overwhelming, toeing the line between impactful and excessively bleak. It’s a daring choice for a studio film, and whether it strengthens or weakens the experience may depend on the viewer’s tolerance for such intensity.
There’s always plenty to look at in Blink Twice, much of it important in the moment and even more meaningful as the story unfolds. Kravitz gives us all the clues but doles them out in such a way that we still feel genuinely shocked by what’s happening on Slater’s so-called “Pussy Island,” while also—crucially—never feeling as if Kravitz and Feigenbaum are toying with us.
It may not break new ground, but Kravitz’s confident direction, combined with a stellar cast and a sense of playfulness, makes it a film worth watching. Kravitz clearly has a solid career as a director ahead of her. The movie’s ability to draw you in and then challenge your comfort is a testament to its power. Whether you leave the cinema exhilarated or shaken, you won’t soon forget it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
