Zoe Kravitz Delights as Director in New Comedy Thriller - Blink Twice Review
Zoe Kravitz's highly anticipated comedy thriller has arrived in cinemas—but does this film really work? - and just how good is her directing?
I've been eagerly anticipating Blink Twice for some time now. There was so much that piqued my interest—especially Zoe Kravitz's directorial debut. After watching her interviews, where she spoke passionately about the film, I was excited to see how her strong vision and creative process would come to life on screen. The casting also intrigued me—seeing Channing Tatum take on a "villainous" antagonist role was exciting, and Naomi Ackie as the lead protagonist felt like a perfect fit. The whole film had me hooked from the start. So, I'm happy to report that despite its flaws and occasional cheesy moments, Blink Twice was a thoroughly enjoyable watch.
Zoe Kravitz’s vision for Blink Twice is clear from the start, and that’s what made it so enjoyable for me. The film follows tech billionaire Slater King (Channing Tatum), who invites cocktail waitress Frida (Naomi Ackie) to his private island for a dream vacation. But as strange events unfold, Frida must uncover the truth to survive - Kravitz brilliantly captures this tense plot visually, with stunning cinematography. The cinematography in this film is next level, with each location giving us it’s own colour palette. We find ourselves blinded by the bright greens and yellows during the day time, while finding ourselves lost within the darkness of the darker scenes in the film, with the darkness helping to push across those emotions Kravitz wants you to feel.
In Blink Twice, the director masterfully leads you to pity Frida and despise Slater, brought to life by Channing Tatum in a role that’s refreshingly different for him. Tatum's subtle humor works surprisingly well in this genre, as he plays a charming antagonist who manipulates Frida with his looks and charisma. Naomi Ackie fully embodies Frida, delivering a captivating performance from the very first scene. She brings an undeniable presence to the character, making her portrayal both compelling and unforgettable.
Despite the many positives, Blink Twice does have its drawbacks, with some predictable elements that feel too similar to films like Don’t Worry Darling and Saltburn. While the concept is fresh, much of the execution follows familiar patterns in the genre. Though there are moments of unpredictability, much of the film feels expected. There are also a few unresolved plot holes, and the ending is likely to divide audiences. It left me with many questions, and I'm still undecided on how I feel about it.
In summary, Blink Twice is a thrilling watch and pays homage to the incredible directing from Zoe Kravitz and features an incredible cast, but fails to hit all the checkboxes that makes a movie like this different from the rest.