Review Roundup: ‘Blink Twice’ – Def Pen

Where To Watch: In Theaters — Friday, August 23, 2024

Starring: Channing Tatum, Adria Arjona, Naomi Ackie, Alia Shawkat, Levon Hawke

Description: When tech billionaire Slater King (Channing Tatum) meets cocktail waitress Frida (Naomi Ackie) at his fundraising gala, sparks fly. He invites her to join him and his friends on a dream vacation on his private island. It’s paradise. Wild nights blend into sun-soaked days and everyone’s having a great time. Nobody wants this trip to end, but as strange things start to happen, Frida begins to question her reality. Something is wrong with this place. She’ll have to uncover the truth if she wants to make it out of this party alive.

“If Blink Twice succeeds to the extent that it does, that’s largely thanks to a handful of striking performances. Tatum delivers a sturdy turn in a role that requires him to find subtler ways to wield his charm. But it’s Ackie and Arjona who really focus and energize the film. Ackie, who played Whitney Houston in Kasi Lemmons’ 2022 biopic, is a force, offering a powerful portrayal of a woman collapsing under the weight of her trauma. Her performance is raw and vulnerable, extending an invitation to understand the depths of Frida’s character despite the thin sketch.

Alongside Arjona, Ackie also builds a portrait of strength. The relationship between Frida and Sarah models and tests familiar dynamics between women, from petty jealousies to empowering alliances. It’s a credit to Ackie and Arjona that Frida and Sarah’s reactions to the reality of their ordeal register as genuine. Their curdling screams chill spines, their tears stir. The two actors don’t just explore the rage fueling Blink Twice; they tap into it.”

-Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter

“The way Kravitz unspools the horrifying reality of what’s happening on the island feels heavily Get Out-inspired. She utilises flashbacks, fast cuts and spikes in sound and visuals to overwhelm your senses, leaving you tense and hyper-vigilant. The over-arching narrative becomes quite predictable early on — but Kravitz’s direction, and the smart, neat script by Kravitz and E.T. Feigenbaum, keep things surprising. The film doesn’t shy away from graphic scenes, particularly in the bloody final act, but always holds just enough back to stop it feeling exploitative.

Overall, it’s a really accomplished debut from Kravitz. Her impeccably cool real-life energy seeps into every element, from the pulsating soundtrack, to the saturated colour palette, and a searing sense of humour — there’s even a hilarious glimpse of father Lenny’s viral leather-clad gym video early on. Whatever she turns her hand to next, we’ll be watching.”

-Sophie Butcher, Empire

“When Kravitz finally reveals what’s actually happening to Frida on her so-called vacation, the filmmaker doesn’t balk at flipping Blink Twice into truly terrifying territory. Audiences will be startled, but Kravitz sticks the implications and tone of her twist by cleverly building to it in every moment that came before. It’s not surprising, but it is shocking. It is also, by virtue of Kravitz and Feigenbaum’s pin-point precise plotting, earned. (And that’s long before Kravitz drives toward a final 15 minutes that, without dipping too far into spoilers, utterly sticks her ambitious landing.)

Despite the heavier implications of Kravitz’s film, the first-time filmmaker maintains an enviable buzz throughout, twinning humor and rage into one biting package. You’ll laugh, you’ll gasp, you’ll have, yes, a very good time. You’ll also marvel at the introduction of a newly-minted filmmaker with a crystal-clear vision of both what the world is and what it could be, at least if the women were in charge.”

-Kate Erbland, Indie Wire

“Reviews for Blink Twice are either over the moon positive or ‘fuck this movie’ with nothing in between and now I sincerely can’t wait,” tweeted one excited fan.

Reviews for Blink Twice are either over the moon positive or “fuck this movie” with nothing in between and now I sincerely can’t wait

— Sévérine Cox (@Le_Severine_Cox) August 14, 2024

Another user shared their initial reactions: “BLINK TWICE! Initial thoughts coming out of the press screening!”

BLINK TWICE! Initial thoughts coming out of the press screening! Look for my thoughts and full review at @TheNRW on YouTube at https://t.co/nRSUStCVSx soon! #NRW #NerdsRuleTheWorld #BlinkTwice #BlinkTwiceMovie @blinktwicemovie @AmazonMGMStudio pic.twitter.com/Rzy2QD8YDa

— KUYA P aka Patrick Michael Strange ???? (@TheLegendKuyaP) August 14, 2024

Kravitz’s debut is already making waves with its lush psychological thriller elements and dark humor. “Blink Twice surprises & stings like a snake bite. It’s a confident debut from Zoë Kravitz – a lush psychological thriller w/ a dark sense of humor & sick sense of style. Killer performances from Adria Arjona & Naomi Ackie, who pulls you in and won’t let you go,” said another viewer.

Blink Twice surprises & stings like a snake bite. It’s a confident debut from Zoë Kravitz – a lush psychological thriller w/ a dark sense of humor & sick sense of style. Killer performances from Adria Arjona & Naomi Ackie, who pulls you in and won’t let you go. #BlinkTwiceMovie pic.twitter.com/kgNwGrBGZX

— Cat Cardenas (@catrcardenas) August 14, 2024

As August 23 approaches, all eyes are on Kravitz and her debut film, eager to see how this psychological thriller will be received by wider audiences.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter, Empire, Indie Wire