Blink Twice (2024)

Zoe Kravitz's debut feature fits nicely alongside many of the films that are happy to be described as a 'post #metoo' release, in this case concocting a tale of toxic masculinity that veers uncomfortably (and importantly) close to real life horror stories.

Kravitz has dealt with this sort of material before, starring in the television series Big Little Lies (2017-2019) which although, in the end, was slightly overcooked- it arguably succeeds where Blink Twice slightly suffers. Naomi Ackie is terrific here as Frida, a klutzy waitress who we meet with her friend Jess (Alia Shawkat) as they work an event in which tech-billionaire Slater King (Channing Tatum on superb form) is present, and events conspire to leave Slater seemingly enchanted by Frida, eventually inviting her and Jess to his private island for a few days of sun, fun and relaxation.

It feels like the set up to a murder mystery, immediately bringing to mind Rian Johnson's middling Glass Onion: A Knives Out Story (2022), also set almost entirely on a billionaire's own private island. Blink Twice also offers plenty of black comedy, often satirical but never boring, and Kravitz deserves a huge amount of credit for producing something that continues to keep you entertained for its duration despite sinking into heavy and increasingly dark territory.

Unsurprisingly, things don't go to plan on their arrival at King's island. His friends include a rather amusing turn from Christian Slater, a brief appearance from Kyle Maclachlan, and a brilliant display from Geena Davis; all of whom clearly seem unhinged in one way or another. Kravitz's directing of the piece is near flawless- for a debut feature it's quite astonishingly assured, brimming with confidence in both style and substance, marking her out for further exploration down the line without a doubt.

There are similarities with Alex Garland's Men (2022) in its depiction of males, certainly not tarnishing them all with the same brush yet certainly necessitating a feeling of revulsion towards every single one on screen here. It wouldn't surprise me if small minded individuals accuse the film of being anti-male, in the same way Greta Gerwig's Barbie (2023) was so ludicrously arraigned.

But of course these sort of incriminations are redundant, and if you want to address Blink Twice's shortcomings, the film offers you easier ways to do so. Without wanting to give away too much of the plot, it reveals nothing to divulge that King isn't the man Frida initially thinks; we're told this in the opening sequence of the film in which King is apologising in an interview after being 'cancelled' for unspecified reasons. There are hallucinogenic offerings seemingly on tap aboard King's island, a mysterious old woman who kills snakes for spurious reasons, and a private building which houses something that we inevitably unturn. You'd have thought the hackles would be up from the first minute when Frida and Jess' phones are taken away from them (although admittedly that does sound like an idyllic holiday to me) and when we get down to the various revelations of appalling behaviour, there's no surprises whatsoever, nor should there be.

But it is ultimately in these disseminations to the audience that Blink Twice falters. We only glimpse the horrors within, the camera only fleetingly lingering on each atrocious act. We don't want to see what's happening of course, but frequently we're pulled away from something to allow one of our heroines to say something amusing at the men's expense. The comedy often feels at odds with the message of the film, and whilst it's not unamusing it perhaps taints the effectiveness of the film's thrust, eventually sliding into over the top absurdism as it approaches its bloody finale. Kravitz deserves all the plaudits she's getting for a film that also invokes Mark Mylod's The Menu (2022) with it's darkly comedic portrayal of food during meal times, and is certainly a cinematic piece of work if you're wondering whether or not to see it in theatres. The acting across the board is excellent, as is the editing and colour palette, providing plenty of connotation ripe for absorption. Whilst not as good as many have claimed, Blink Twice is a very solid debut feature and an impressive calling card for Kravitz; certainly worth your time if you fancy an entertaining (yet pertinent) night out. 7.2/10