Blink Twice (Movie Review)
by Jack Grimme, Contributing Writer
Zoë Kravitz, the prolific star of films such as The Batman and Mad Max: Fury Road, has finally taken her talents behind the camera with Blink Twice. Kravitz’s directorial debut stars Naomi Ackie as Frida, a superfan of tech billionaire, Slater King (Channing Tatum), as she gets swept up in the mogul’s illustrious circle. An impromptu invite to Slater’s private island seems like a blessing at first, but quickly becomes sinister as secrets are revealed. The psychological thriller is produced by Amazon and prefaced by a trigger warning for sexual violence that I do believe is warranted.
It quickly becomes clear that Kravitz has a knack for cinematic storytelling. Maybe she picked up a few tricks on the sets of incredible collaborators like Matt Reeves, George Miller, and Steven Soderbergh. Or perhaps she has simply fostered innate talent throughout her impressive career. Regardless, her eye leads to some compelling compositions and creative camerawork. The bizarre island environment and simplistic costume design make for some memorable shots. The direction isn’t groundbreaking for the genre, but is quite a statement for a first foray into the position.
Kravitz also was partially responsible for the script, along with cowriter, E.T. Feigenbaum. This element of the feature is significantly less sturdy. Many of the weak points of Blink Twice feel like a product of an inconsistent script. Some of the dialogue is unnatural, even given the uncanny circumstances our protagonist finds herself in. The plot also just doesn’t completely come together. Some elements of foreshadowing are forced and overbearing in a way that completely undercuts revelations. And some of the thematic beats feel under-explored or half-baked. It shows intention to comment on some truly insightful elements of abuse and violence, but the punch is softened because the ideas come and go in a blink. Hopefully this is a skill that will develop with time as Kravitz pens more scripts and studios allow her to produce longer, more complicated pieces.
One component of this film that produced incredibly complicated emotions within me was the sense of humor. Based on the trailer and the content warning, I was prepped for an intense exploration of psychological and sexual abuse. Those ideas are more than present in the film. The tone set by the warning and the overall subject matter of the film makes it hard to let some of the laughs in. This is particularly apparent in the second half of the movie. The tone abruptly switches about halfway through. There are quick camera pans, hijinks, and comic misunderstandings that would fit better in a sitcom. The second half is also when most of the diabolical themes are unveiled. Abruptly introducing these ideas halfway through creates a weird tonal dissonance and feeling of unease. This juxtaposition could potentially play on the idea that women are often forced to maintain a cheery disposition to diffuse a situation with a dangerous man. And there are moments where that dynamic works! This creates some of the most authentic moments of tension in the plot; instances that are presumably sickeningly relatable for many women in the audience. However, the tendency to intercut random bits of quirky shenanigans with instances of disturbing sexual violence can be a little disorienting.
These weird tonal beats are particularly disappointing because the theming of the film is one of the most promising components. Kravitz crafts a world that is exaggerated, but more than recognizable to analyze power dynamics and the role of trauma in our identity. Ackie and Tatum have some conversations and confrontations that could incite the audience to reflect on their own relationships and interactions. The gravity of the subject matter cannot be understated, and the perspectives on display are incredibly poignant in our modern culture. Certain choices and turns throughout the piece unfortunately lead to a muddy message. The ending in particular complicates the theme. It is a bold narrative twist that adds depth to the fictional world, but those boons come at the cost of a clearer, more punchy message.
Ultimately, Blink Twice is a serviceable directorial debut that showcases the potential Kravitz has in the director’s chair. Give her a couple more years to write a tighter script and develop her own visual flair, and I think she will deliver something truly special.
Rating: It Was Just Okay
Blink Twice is currently playing in theaters
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