Blink Twice Movie review - Zoë Kravit's riveting debut is amongst the best films of the year (By Shayen Unadkat)

Zoë Kravitz is a force of an actress, and she’s proven this with her role as Salena Kyle in 2022’s ‘The Batman’, and in other projects such as HBO’s ‘Big Little Lies’ - but now with ‘Blink Twice’, Kravitz ventures into the world of directing for the first time. Though, is the result any good? The answer is yes. Blink twice is a truly riveting and unpredictable thriller, which might fall short when it tries to amalgamate comedy into the scene, but it brings something different to the table with Kravitz having her own voice within the narrative.

Zoë Kravitz starts her directing career with flair. 

The film follows cocktail waitress Frida who, at a fundraising gala, meets tech billionaire Slater King who unexpectedly invites her and a friend on a dream vacation to his private island. However, as strange things start to happen, Frida questions her reality. Frida, for starters, has a solid amount of depth to her character. Her motivations are solid and why she attends the island with Slater (even though it is still naive of her to do something like this) is fairly acceptable. There are points in the film where you might ask for more, but one of the twists revealed explains why we don’t see as much. The characterization in general though could have been slightly better. Kravitz focuses more on solidifying her style and tone in this debut and dedicating the writing talents she possesses to other elements of the script such as the narrative, which has its major pros. 

For starters, there is a lot of meaning in this film. Like a lot of good thrillers, there is a perspective or lens unique to the director being explored - and here we see some of that as the movie tackles the issues of women and the male gaze through a really unique lens, ending with a nice moral message that might get a little preachy but is extremely well-done. As well as this, you never really know where this film is headed. Kravitz establishes her tone (a mix of comedy with a hint of thriller) early on, which I personally don’t think works for this film, but actually makes the twists a little less predictable in the process.

Naomi Ackie and Channing Tatum in 'Blink Twice'

Speaking of this comedy embed, there are times where scenes should be thrilling to make the audience see the effects of them more, but there is irrelevant humor straight after that negates from the experience. In other words, this film could’ve done better with being more thrilling to make the very smart plot twists more affective. 

Though, when this film is in its swing, it is very thrilling. Kravitz does a phenomenal job for a first outing crafting eerie scenes (some that might be extremely disturbing), with some of the best jump-scares that aren’t supernatural related I have seen in a long time. She really knows how to set the mood, and for her first time doing something like this, it’s incredibly impressive as it’s something even experienced directors can’t grasp.  

Naomi Ackie and Adria Arjona in 'Blink Twice'

The acting is another major positive. Channing Tatum plays his character Slater King - who has dual-sides to him - extremely well, as we get to see something from him we haven’t before. Naomi Ackie (who I haven’t really seen prior) gives a gripping performance, as well as Adria Arjona who plays another friend invited to the island. When together, they shine the most. 

In sum, Blink Twice is a great debut from Zoe Kravitz. Whilst the balance of comedy and thrills don’t really work for the better, the unpredictability and unique stringing together of the narrative is what works here, and ultimately makes Blink twice a unique and enjoyable theatre experience from a new upcoming director with a fresh vision and her own voice. 

Overall Score - 8.3/10 - Definite Recommend!