Blink Twice - Review
Let’s delve into the concept of power—the real kind. The type of power that stems from access, wealth, privilege, and influence. Even possessing just one of these can grant you a considerable degree of power. In a culture that often prioritizes power over virtues like decency, empathy, kindness, and understanding, the conditions are ripe for the abuse of such power.
With that in mind, let's discuss *Blink Twice*.
***Warning: Potential Spoilers Ahead! Proceed at Your Own Risk!***
*Blink Twice* marks the directorial debut of Zoe Kravitz, a name you might recognize from her acting roles in *The Batman*, *Mad Max: Fury Road*, and *Dope*. Beyond her acting credentials, Kravitz is often noted as the daughter of Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet, but she's forging a path that deserves recognition beyond the "nepo baby" label. In *Blink Twice*, Kravitz not only directs but also produces and co-writes the screenplay with E.T. Feigenbaum, known for his work on the TV show *High Fidelity*, which also starred Kravitz. The film boasts a star-studded cast including Naomi Ackie, Channing Tatum, Alia Shawkat, Christian Slater, Simon Rex, Adria Arjona, Haley Joel Osment, Geena Davis, and Kyle MacLachlan.
The story revolves around Frida, played by Naomi Ackie, a cocktail waitress who crosses paths with Channing Tatum’s Slater King, a tech billionaire, at one of his lavish fundraising galas. What begins as a glamorous encounter quickly escalates as Frida and her friend Jess, portrayed by Alia Shawkat, are whisked away to King’s private island. Amidst the indulgence and luxury fueled by psychoactive substances, Frida’s world starts to unravel when Jess disappears, leading her to uncover the dark reality behind King’s idyllic facade.
The film’s narrative is hard to separate from real-world parallels. The moment the story unfolds, one can't help but think of the infamous Epstein Island and how billionaires often isolate themselves in places where they remain untouchable by law. The stark power imbalance between Frida, the cocktail waitress, and Slater King, the billionaire, is glaring. In a different era, perhaps a decade ago, this could have been the setup for a romantic comedy—a modern-day *Pretty Woman* fantasy where the audience loses itself in the allure of being chosen by a wealthy elite. But, as anyone familiar with Greek mythology knows, catching the eye of a god rarely ends well for the mortal involved. This story leans more towards tragedy. We live in a post-Weinstein, post-Cosby, post-Spacey, post-Singer, and post-Epstein world where such power imbalances are more often recognized as abusive rather than romantic. We understand now that for these wealthy, well-protected men, relationships are less about love and more about the exertion of power.
The island is inhabited by a familiar entourage: Christian Slater as Vic, King’s business manager; Simon Rex as Cody, King’s right-hand man; Geena Davis as Stacy, King’s personal assistant; and Levon Hawke as Lucas, an aspiring tech protégé. Each character’s fortunes are tightly bound to King’s success, and without him, they risk losing their own status and wealth. This dynamic highlights the enablers who surround powerful men, supplying them with whatever they need to maintain their hedonistic lifestyles.
Frida, too, becomes an enabler. Her deep admiration for Slater King, fueled by her obsession with his social media presence, makes her the perfect candidate to be drawn into his world.
Midway through the film, it becomes clear that this is not the typical Lifetime channel romance. Instead, *Blink Twice* delivers a hard-hitting, sometimes uncomfortable commentary on the sinister forces of power that loom around us.
As I left the theater, my mind was buzzing with thoughts of the inevitable think pieces and comparisons. The film has been likened to *Get Out*, *Don’t Worry Darling*, *The Stepford Wives*, and *Knives Out*—all apt comparisons, but *Blink Twice* adds a unique perspective. It encapsulates the experiences of a modern woman living in a post-Me Too era, where society clamors to expose predators but struggles to hold them accountable beyond a hollow apology and a token donation to charity. We seem to have no real solutions for dealing with powerful men who abuse their power. In America, at least, we live in a punitive society, not one rooted in justice. So, the only way to fight back against these abusers is to wield power against them. But does that feel right? Does it solve anything? Does it prevent future abuses? No. And that’s the point. The cycle continues, and like a snake shedding its skin, we adapt and survive, but the threat remains.
I thoroughly enjoyed *Blink Twice*. It’s a standout debut from Kravitz, and I’m eager to see what she does next. Tatum’s portrayal of the villainous Slater King was stellar, and I hope to see him take on more roles that allow him to break away from his usual "charming eye candy" persona. My only concern is that, like many projects featuring Black women in lead roles, this film might be overlooked. But only time will tell.
Rating: 4/5 Stars
