Still on general release in UK cinemas (following its debut in August) is the twisted psychological thriller, Blink Twice. Directed and co-written by Zoë Kravitz, the movie stars Channing Tatum, Naomi Ackie, Christian Slater, Kyle MacLachlan, Haley Joel Osment, and Geena Davis and follows the story of a young woman who is invited to the private island of a tech billionaire with terrifying results.
In the movie, Frida is a cocktail waitress working at a fundraising event held by Slater King. King is a high-profile mogul with a bumpy past, but he is an alluring figure who captures the attention of the world’s media.
During the course of the fundraiser, Frida and King cross paths. A short while later, King invites Frida and her friend Jess to join him and his pals on his private island.
Upon arrival, everything seems fine, with Frida and Jess ready to party. However, Frida soon becomes concerned about her surroundings, as well as some bizarre occurrences and lapses in memory.
Featuring superb direction from debut director Zoë Kravitz, as well as a strong performance from Naomi Ackie, and an equally strong performance from Channing Tatum (does he deliver anything less?), Blink Twice is a dark little movie about manipulation and coercive behaviour. It taps into the ongoing narrative about the elite doing whatever they please, as well as the age-old narrative about toxic masculinity and the abuse of power, and serves up a compelling tale in the process.
The thrust of the movie is Frida’s trip to the island and what she encounters in this supposed paradise. Something truly troubling is going down amongst the lucious greenery, and Frida is certainly in over her head.
But the movie isn’t just about what is shown on the surface and what Frida experiences, Blink Twice is very much about the wider picture. Frida’s journey becomes a metaphor for the exploitation of women in society, and it goes into some very, very sinister places.
Such is the disturbing subject matter in this film, Blink Twice opens with an on-screen trigger warning. As such, it isn’t a movie to go into lightly, so do keep this in mind.
This is an emotive picture and one which gets to the heart of a conversation few want to have. It doesn’t just address abuse and manipulation, it goes much deeper.
At different points throughout the film you will feel unsettled, you will feel upset, and you will certainly feel angry. And if you don’t feel any of these things at all, you may have to ask yourself why?
From start to finish, this is stellar stuff from Zoë Kravitz. Blink Twice demonstrates a real confidence behind the camera and is an excellent start to her directing career.
The film is a must-see thriller, which borders on horror and will get a conversation going in more ways than one. If you aren’t able to catch Blink Twice while it is still playing in cinemas, be sure to check it out once it lands on video-on-demand platforms and/or streaming services.
__
__
Thank you for taking the time to read this review on It’s A Stampede!. For more reviews, check out the recommended reads below.
It's A Stampede! 
Leave a comment