By Keith Walther | Rose Law Group Reporter
One wouldn’t expect a directorial debut with a cast that has a long-forgotten child star, who once saw dead people, while working on a project originally titled “P*ssy Island” to result in a film that was any good, but that assumption would be incorrect. “Blink Twice” is a surprisingly entertaining thriller with gripping suspense and shocking twists that will have audiences on the edge of their seat the entire time. The story is well-crafted and flows at a great pace with few lulls, holding viewers’ attention as reveals provide rewarding satisfaction.
Living a very ordinary life as a cocktail waitress, struggling to make ends meet, Frida (Naomi Ackie) gets swept off her feet by tech billionaire Slater King (Channing Tatum) at a gala she was working. Her and her best friend Jess (Alia Shawkat) get invited aboard his private jet to fly to his privately owned island with his entourage. Feeling star struck and giddy over being noticed by someone so rich and powerful, Frida happily accepts, thinking this might by her “Pretty Woman” moment.
Inundated with exquisite cuisine, an endless supply of alcohol and drugs, and Slater’s homemade intoxicating perfume, Frida and Jess quickly lose track of time and days in what appears like paradise. However, when odd events begin occurring around the island coupled with strange losses in memory, they begin to question their safety amongst these strangers. When repeatedly asked if they’re having a good time, they’re no longer sure of the answer, and the startling reveals leave their reality unhinged with little hope for escape.
Highly talented actress Zoë Kravitz (“The Batman”) turns filmmaker with her directorial debut of “Blink Twice,” and she excels at producing a creative thrill ride that keeps the audience guessing. She also displays her visionary talent by co-writing the screenplay, fashioning a captivating story that tantalizes and teases until it explodes in an unexpected way. Zoë disarms viewers with the initial introductions of the various characters, showing them as simple singles living it up in paradise before introducing curious tidbits of information that quickly ratchet up the level of tension and unease. The fine storytelling is further enhanced by outstanding cinematography. As the story progresses, Zoë artistically alters the cinematography style to include more unique closeups at opportune moments as well as continuous shots and perspective changes to enrich the growing sense of suspense.
Many times, in thrillers such as these, the foreshadowing can be obvious and tiresome, leading to expected outcomes, but Zoë is much more creative with the use of these techniques that leave the audience more satisfied than annoyed. While this is certainly a rousing success for her directorial debut, she does err by not really delving into the how. The lack of scientific explanation for the events that transpire undermine the realism of the film and leave unanswered questions.
Kravitz not only succeeds professionally but also personally, developing a romantic connection with her male lead on the set, Channing Tatum, resulting in their engagement. For Tatum, this role is a resounding achievement in his career, displaying another facet to his talent that he can do something other than the wisecracking, muscular protagonist. His slow evolution from a fun loving, charming billionaire into something darker, that sits just beneath the surface of his well-crafted façade, culminates into a mesmerizing performance that helps solidify the climax in a memorable way.
After Naomi Ackie’s moving performance as Whitney Houston two years ago, it should come as no surprise that she can handle the responsibility of being the main star of a film. Like Tatum, Naomi expertly evolves her character from the innocence of a romantic dreamer to understanding the stark realization that is her reality. Her vivid facial reactions beautifully convey the erosion of her fantasy, transforming her situation into one of hopeless terror and survival, sucking the audience in right along with her.
The rest of the supporting cast was equally strong in their performances, from Christian Slater’s wry wit to Alia Shawkat’s sarcastic banter to Adria Arjona’s scene stealing moments of vengeance. Even forgotten veteran actress Geena Davis has an impactful role, who comically reminds the female characters that they’re on vacation and to have a good time. Then there’s Haley Joel Osment, yes, the Oscar nominated child actor from 1999’s “The Sixth Sense,” who’s all grown up and provides ironically memorable lines of his own.
As long as you don’t get hung up on the lack of details, “Blink Twice” is a worthwhile and satisfying suspense thriller that is smartly crafted and well-acted. The jaw dropping twists and unexpected turns will make audiences yearn for more directorial/writing efforts from Zoë Kravitz. Put this movie high on your list to watch, you won’t be disappointed.
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