Directed by:
Zoe Kravitz
Written by:
Zoe Kravitz and E.T. Feigenbaum
Starring:
Naomi Ackie, Channing Tatum, Alia Shawkat, Adria Arjona
Synopsis (IMDb):
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.
Julian’s review:
People have the common sense to never go to parties or trips with random strangers that you don’t know, unless you have friends and the person hosting the strangers is your friend. This is also especially true if your friend knows how to manage and keep the parties clean and free of negative influences.
This statement alone might work in a perfect world, but that is not the case in the real world with examples like R. Kelly in the 1990s and P. Diddy, who is now in jail for…doing the same thing and then some. Blink Twice exemplifies how horrifying it is to be wary of who you know and just how messed up victimizers can be to other people.
Cocktail waitress Frida (Naomi Ackie) and her best friend/co-worker, Jess (Alia Shawkat) meet tech CEO billionaire Slater King (Channing Tatum) at a fundraiser gala. Intrigued by his seemingly debonaire personality, the pair are invited to his private island where he receives therapeutic treatment. The pair are accompanied by his friends and business partners comprised of his photographer Vic (Christian Slater), private chef Cody (Simon Rex), DJ Tom (Haley Joel Osment), graduate Lucas (Levon Hawke), reality show star Sarah (Adria Arjona), app developer Camilia (Liz Caribel), and lawyer/marijuana user Heather (Trew Mullen). As the days go by, Frida grows suspicious of King and his male cohorts and the immoral schemes they are doing to women.
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Actress and now filmmaker Zoe Kravitz’s first film was great. I think she captured the feeling of excitement and terror when around very famous but suspicious people in an unfamiliar environment–an environment that sexual predators are more familiar with and could control which makes all of the male characters dangerous. The film’s editing hints at the unsettling relaxation that Frida and the rest of the people are having. It keeps the audience on edge as to whether the stuff is real or not. People would have the same mindset of unsettling ease to mild panic depending on the type of situation with random weirdos.
Image via IMDb/Amazon MGM Studios
Ackie’s Frida was the most compelling protagonist in the cast. Her character is almost like Cinderella who is in this case working in the service industry for the company. She’s hoping to have a relationship with Slater akin to Cinderella and Prince Charming. Except she’s becomes more wary that Slater is not quite as charming as Prince Charming as he seems to be. I’m glad she did great in a movie that does not have any toxic hatred attached to it (Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker—though she did well in that movie for the role she had in it too).
Image via IMDb/Amazon MGM Studios
If I had to pick another person who had a surprising standout in the movie it would be Arjona’s Sarah. Her personality was the toxic jealousy type when she watched Frida and Slater become an item. It isn’t until a stark revelation that the two begin to band together to help the other women realize what is happening to them. She exhibits a lot of grit and hilarious moments that can at least lessen the seriousness of what goes on in the film.
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Oh…right, Tatum’s King is a silent manic person who is aware of the abuse he and his male cohorts are doing to the women. He exemplifies how the person who wields an immense influence of wealth and power tries to cover up their immoral acts for the pursuit of their benefits. He does prove that it’s important to know who your friends are–and who are the wierdos to avoid.
Image via IMDb/Amazon MGM Studios
Overall, Blink Twice is an exceptionally well-made psychological thriller that is extremely relevant. The film teaches people to think twice about an invitation to a party or an event of who you know (or who you don’t know). It is also important to acknowledge that yes, this kind of stuff happened in real life. Anybody can be a victim of a company of deranged or powerful abusers who scheme and manipulate people for their benefit.
For those who want to reach out to a professional after a sexual assault. Reach out to the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.
Image via IMDb/Amazon MGM Studios