Directed by Zoë Kravitz

Starring: Naomi Ackie, Channing Tatum, Christian Slater, Simon Rex, Adria Arjona, Kyle MacLachlan, Haley Joel Osment, Geena Davis, Alia Shawkat

Frida (Naomi Ackie) is an aspiring influencer, who, along with her friend Jess (Alia Shawkat), an aspiring actress, makes ends meet as a cocktail waitress for celebrity galas. In this case, the gala is for tech-billionaire (and famous bad-boy/allegedly reformed) Slater King (Channing Tatum).

Through a chance encounter, Frida is drawn to Slater and he reciprocates her with attention. Eventually, Frida and Jess are welcomed into King’s inner circle and before you know it, they find themselves on a plane and then on a remote Island with the promise and expectation of a good ‘ole time. And they do have a great time — until things start unraveling in ways they were not expecting.

Blink Twice is Zoë Kravitz’s directorial debut but you’d be hard-pressed to notice it. Well-photographed and edited by Adam Newport-Berra and Kathryn J. Schubert, respectively, the film carries a self-assurance with fast pacing and editing along with a bit of punk swagger. It doesn’t hurt that Kravitz assembled a formidable ensemble cast that includes Christian Slater, Kyle MacLachlan, Aria Arjona, and Haley Joel Osment. Tatum is fine, but Naomi Ackie as the naïve Frida is exceptional and is the film’s heartbeat. All the actors brought their cajones and their performances make Blink Twice a lean, taut, and stylish psychological thriller.

Though lacking the depth of films such as Ex Machina or Rosemary’s Baby, Blink Twice holds its own by reeling us in and holding our attention to the end with its simple language and lysergic visuals. In its own way, the film pays homage to the cult exploitation films of the 1970s.

Blink Twice definitely has its brutal moments but allows some well-placed creepy humor to remind us of Kravitz and E.T. Feigenbaum’s calculated script. Cut out of all the fat and unnecessary exposition, the film is clean in execution and for the most part, works very well — that is if we don’t spend too much time thinking about the plot.

But overall, Blink Twice is a satisfying thriller with good performances from a respectable cast and a well-executed production. An impressive directorial debut from Zoë Kravitz.

So have you seen BLINK TWICE? Well, what did you think?

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