Blink Twice (spoiler free)
Zoe Kravitz's directorial debut, 'Blink Twice,' seamlessly melds moody aesthetics with sharp cultural commentary, redefining genre expectations through a blend of captivating storytelling and striking visual artistry.
If something feels too good to be true, it probably is.
Every National Cinema Day, my older sister and I would catch a movie together for £3 each (it’s £4 now, but we don’t talk about that). We sat through some terrible films, but it remained our annual thing until she moved out three years ago, and I started taking my little sister to keep the tradition going. We continued the tradition, bad movies and all, until I moved out this summer. To keep the memory of my sisters alive, I turned to the next best option—my husband (jk, but not really).
When deciding what to watch on this year’s NCD, Zoe Kravitz’s directorial debut, Blink Twice, piqued my interest. Like a late-night indie playlist that surprises you with its depth, Blink Twice is moody, captivating, and a bit of a wildcard. Exactly the kind of film that makes you glad you didn’t skip the tradition, even if the company is now slightly less sisterly.
I dove into Blink Twice completely blind, reading no synopsis and watching no trailer, just the promise of a psychological thriller starring Zoe Kravitz’s real-life partner Channing Tatum as a tech billionaire and the brilliant Naomi Ackie as a cocktail waitress. That was all I needed to ask my husband to buy tickets without hesitation. From the start, there was a clear direction as Kravitz introduced her characters: a working-class Black woman navigating a world dominated by a ruling elite, white tech billionaire. It was all about world-building, highlighting their differences and setting the stage for what was to come, but I couldn’t quite figure out where it was heading.
As the movie progressed, it was clear that things were too good to be true. The sense that something was off grew stronger, with weird occurrences hinting at an underlying issue that I couldn’t quite pinpoint. I found myself on the edge of my seat, engrossed, and scanning every scene for Easter eggs and hidden clues, trying to piece together the unsettling narrative that was brewing. The tension simmered just below the surface, keeping me on edge as the plot slowly peeled back its layers, and once the pieces started to fall into place, the story took off, pulling me along for the ride.
However, the third act of Blink Twice felt a bit rushed. With two-thirds of the film focused on setting up the plot and establishing details, the final act seemed compressed and missed a deeper exploration of the antagonist's actions. While I appreciated the concept and enjoyed the climax, it could have been more thoroughly developed to fully satisfy the build-up.
Compared to iconic films like Get Out, which use horror for sharp social commentary, Blink Twice had a lot to live up to but ultimately fell short in its final stretch. I was captivated by the shock factor, especially as it was my first time watching, and appreciated the film’s nod to the #MeToo movement by highlighting the predatory behaviour of entitled white men. However, the film only skims the surface of these themes, paying them mere lip service rather than delving deeply. While the revenge aspect was engaging and the director’s female gaze brought a fresh perspective, the film fell flat in addressing the full consequences of the characters' actions. Still, Blink Twice offers an interesting twist on the 'Time's Up' and #MeToo movements, portraying a woman reclaiming her power and healing from trauma rather than enduring endless suffering. It’s a refreshing take, though the impact could have been more profoundly explored.
Whether you loved it or hated it, one thing is clear: Kravitz’s striking visual storytelling is the true anchor of this movie. Considering this is her directorial debut, I was so impressed by how consistently visually and sonically strong this film was. The film was vibrant and fresh, a welcome contrast to the trend of overly dark cinematography—here, even the moonlit scenes popped with eclectic blues and greens, proving that you don’t need to squint to appreciate the artistry on screen.
Matching the captivating colour palette was a gripping score and soundtrack. The silence of the hall was broken by audible gasps when Beyoncé’s beat dropped, highlighting the film’s exceptional use of music in real time. A prime example of this is the first dance scene, where the characters, each from different backgrounds, dance together as one freely and joyfully while the camera glides smoothly through the crowd in a single, uninterrupted shot. The combination of vibrant visuals and energetic music was flawlessly executed. As someone who grew up watching Bollywood films, I often find Western movies lacking in memorable dance scenes. However, this seamless one-shot sequence had me absolutely entranced and reaffirmed my belief that Western films could definitely use more dance scenes.
Official theatrical release poster. Blink Twice (#1 of 3): Extra Large Movie Poster Image - IMP Awards
Maybe I’m a little biased because, let’s be honest, I’d happily follow Kravitz around with a bowl of grapes without being asked. Writer, producer, director, and one of the cooler nepo babies in the game, she’s got that pull. So, take this as your friendly reminder: if a billionaire ever invites you to their private island, it’s totally okay to say no (not that most of us would ever get that invite anyway).
