Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong
Actors-turned-Directors are often hit or miss and get even more questionable when they also write their directorial debut. However, there are always exceptions to the rule and Zoe Kravitz gets to join the elite list of Actors-turned-Directors who succeed in crafting a solid directorial debut. For something that is better left not seeing any of the promo materials for, there are a lot of surprises in the Movie and a twist that is slightly predictable – though not in the way anyone expects. In what could possibly be described as Jordan Peele-lite Script, Blink Twice will leave audiences at the edge of their seats and create a tense world for the audience to revel in.
The Movie focuses on friends Frida and Jess (Naomi Ackie and Alia Shawkat respectively) as they’re service workers tending an event for Slater (Channing Tatum), who is a reclusive billionaire genius who is on an apology tour. Frida is fascinated and attracted to Slater, so when Frida and Jess manage to sneak into the party, garnering the attention of Slater, everything works out. Or so it seems. He then invites them to his remote island. However, it’s not just the three of them, they’re joined by Vic (Christian Slater), Cody (Simon Rex), Sarah (Adria Arjona), Tom (Haley Joel Osment), Camilla (Liz Caribel), Lucas (Levon Hawke), Heather (Trew Mullen), Stan (Cris Costa), and the event organizer Stacy (Geena Davis). They’re having the time of their life, so Frida keeps saying, until things slowly become weird and not everything is adding up. Without explicitly saying what happens, the reveal is chaotic and disturbing, leading to one of the most satisfying conclusions and something truly chaotic – in the best way.
What makes Blink Twice work so well is a crafty Script by Kravitz and E.T. Feigenbaum. While there is a lot going on in the Film, everything serves a purpose and knowing the end while analyzing the Script, it all adds up to a solid Thriller that’ll leave the audience fully engaged. While Kravitz must balance the Script along with direction, she manages to do so exceptionally well. Her future non-acting career is as bright as her acting career.
On the other hand, this concept and Movie only works if the Cast are completely onboard. Ackie is exceptional as Frida and brings a level of fearlessness and brilliance that grabs the audience effortlessly, while Tatum proves to the audience he is more than a one trick pony, yet again. The Supporting Cast also helps round everything out and keep the audience engaged with the chaotic adventure that awaits but the stand outs are Shawkat and Slater. Overall, the entire Cast brings everything together to make this debut a strong entry into what is going to be a strong career outside of acting.
Overall, Blink Twice will dare audiences not to blink – wanting them to absorb every moment that unfolds on-screen, seeing what chaotic thing happens next. Kravitz‘s impressive debut behind the camera, in combination with the great performances from the entire Cast make Blink Twice will have audiences at the edge of their seats.
Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release BLINK TWICE in theatres on Friday August 23, 2024.
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