Early in Zoë Kravitz’s charged but scattered directorial debut, Blink Twice 2024 movie, a tech tycoon caught in a storm of controversy offers a familiar kind of apology. Slater King (Channing Tatum), the billionaire at the center of the scandal, releases a video statement announcing his decision to step back from his company. He expresses regret for his actions and reveals plans to retreat to his private island for reflection. While the exact nature of Slater’s misconduct is never disclosed, the digital landscape is littered with similarly scripted #MeToo atonements, making it easy to fill in the blanks.
Frida, played by the excellent Naomi Ackie, seems unfazed by the allegations against Slater or the insincere tone of his recorded apology. When we first meet this optimistic aspiring nail designer, she’s sitting on the toilet in her rundown apartment, watching Slater’s video with adoring eyes, and fantasizing about the day they might meet.
Blink Twice 2024 movie quickly takes a turn when, the very next evening, Frida, working as a waitress at a fundraising event, unexpectedly comes face to face with Slater. Their encounter is clumsy yet electric, a meet-cute that would be fitting for a romantic comedy. As the evening winds down, Slater invites Frida to join him and his entourage on his private island, an offer she eagerly accepts. She even convinces her best friend and roommate Jess (Alia Shawkat) to come along.
As recent films like Triangle of Sadness, Glass Onion, and The Menu have taught us, a group of strangers in a secluded locale often spells trouble. Kravitz, who co-wrote the screenplay with E.T. Feigenbaum, quickly sets Blink Twice 2024 movie up as a mix of social satire and horror. However, balancing these elements proves challenging as the narrative unfolds.
On Slater’s island, there are no cellphones allowed, and the staff, reminiscent of the unsettling servants in Jordan Peele’s Get Out, wear forced smiles that conceal vacant stares. Luggage is unnecessary as the islanders are provided with matching white linen outfits. The atmosphere is sun-kissed and dreamy, with drinks flowing and drugs readily available. Each evening’s dinner, prepared by Slater’s friend Cody (Simon Rex), using locally sourced produce, is served by candlelight, adding to the island’s otherworldly mood.
Unlike other recent films that critique the ultra-wealthy, Blink Twice 2024 movie is only partially focused on the indulgences of the rich. Shortly after arriving on the island, Frida begins noticing strange occurrences. A maid (María Elena Olivares) repeats odd phrases to her, Jess goes missing, and Frida’s memories become increasingly fragmented. She starts to question the origin of random bruises and the dirt under her fingernails. Similar phenomena seem to be affecting other women on the island, including Sarah (Adria Arjona), a former contestant on a Survivor-like reality show who competes with Frida for Slater’s attention.
Kravitz’s primary focus in Blink Twice 2024 movie is on the themes of sexual violence against women and the psychological toll of trauma. The film echoes Emerald Fennell’s Promising Young Woman, but with a more visceral approach to vengeance. There’s also an attempt to explore the dual invisibility and hyper-visibility of Black women, particularly early in the film when Frida is at work, but this theme is somewhat lost as the narrative shifts towards horror.
As Frida uncovers the nightmarish realities of Slater’s island, Blink Twice 2024 movie abandons its social satire elements and dives fully into horror. Working with cinematographer Adam Newport-Berra (known for The Last Black Man in San Francisco), Kravitz reimagines the island’s earlier idyllic scenes with a sinister edge, transforming the tropical paradise into a deadly maze of obstacles.
There are moments when Blink Twice 2024 movie’s busy narrative and its complex visual style come together to realize Kravitz’s vision. However, the film ultimately feels scattered, stretched thin by its heavy themes, striking imagery, underdeveloped plot points, and partially realized characters.
If Blink Twice 2024 movie succeeds, it’s largely due to the strength of its performances. Tatum delivers a solid performance, finding subtler ways to wield his charm, but it’s Naomi Ackie and Adria Arjona who truly shine. Ackie, who portrayed Whitney Houston in the 2022 biopic I Wanna Dance with Somebody, offers a powerful portrayal of a woman crumbling under the weight of her trauma. Her raw, vulnerable performance invites the audience to connect with Frida’s character, despite the film’s occasional shortcomings.
Together, Ackie and Arjona build a dynamic portrait of resilience. The relationship between Frida and Sarah explores familiar dynamics between women, from petty rivalries to empowering alliances. Their performances bring authenticity to the characters’ reactions, making their shared experiences and emotions feel real. The intensity of their rage, captured through their chilling screams and heartfelt tears, drives home the raw emotional power at the heart of Blink Twice 2024 movie.
