When a new director arrives on the Hollywood scene, they often come in one of two distinct flavors: they’re either a fresh “voice” in the industry or someone who can be molded to be a studio darling. The second category is especially true of actor-turned-directors, who possess even more range in their artistic quality and typically have a vanilla approach. But, once in a blue moon, a new one of these hopeful auteurs comes along and manages to truly feel more innovative than generic. The greatest 2024 example of this comes in the form of writer/director Zoë Kravitz, whose directorial debut Blink Twice manages to perfectly pay homage to past thrillers while pushing the world of studio filmmaking into a new electrifying direction. Now with the film arriving on Blu-ray (thanks to Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment), physical media lovers can own this new cinematic gem.
L-R: Naomi Ackie stars as Frida and Channing Tatum as Slater King in director Zoë Kravitz’s BLINK TWICE, an Amazon MGM Studios film. Photo credit: Carlos Somonte. © 2024 Amazon Content Services LLC. All Rights Reserved.
The narrative of Blink Twice follows a catering waitress named Frida (Naomi Ackie), who suddenly finds herself interacting with the charming-yet-reserved tech billionaire, Slater King (Channing Tatum). As the two flirt at one of Slater’s parties, he invites Frida and her friend, Jess (Alia Shawkat), to vacation on his private island. There the two meet Slater’s entourage of friends and business associates, all the while dining on incredible food, dressing in beautiful maxi gowns, and consuming all the “desserts” and perfume a girl could dream of. But as the trip progresses, Frida begins to feel uneasy about how things are unfolding as she questions everything around her. The film then follows Frida as she puts the pieces together to discover the truth behind Slater’s paradise.
As soon as the first frame hits the screen, it’s clear that Kravitz (The Batman) lives and breathes pop culture. Not only does she perfectly understand the visual language of modern social media, along with the celebrity landscape she comes from, but her attention to detail both on screen and within the pages of her screenplay is unmatched. From the authentic uses of TikTok to the even more believable choices of certain characters to make them appear better publicly (a.k.a. the chicken reference), various instances prove that Kravitz isn’t holding back any sort of artistic punches. And she’s especially not afraid to dive deep into the paranoia that many people face in regard to trusting men, especially in our post-MeToo landscape.
Naomi Ackie stars as Frida in director Zoë Kravitz’s BLINK TWICE, an Amazon MGM Studios film. © 2024 Amazon Content Services LLC. All Rights Reserved.
If you’ve seen the trailers for Blink Twice, you’ll know that it hinted towards a twist that certainly was going to leave you on the edge of your seat. But once you begin the film and see its pre-show trigger warning, it becomes clear that Kravitz wasn’t just making a film that was an excuse to film her friends on vacation. She had an important story to tell. One that discusses the imbalances that many people face on a daily basis against powerful men through a Hitchcock-meets-Twilight Zone-meets-sexy-80s-thriller lens. And while some keen-eyed viewers might be able to piece Kravitz’s puzzle together early on, it’s the way in which the journey to said finished puzzle occurs that makes Blink Twice a genuine thrill.
One of the ingredients that makes Kravitz’s film so special is its cast. Naomi Ackie (Rise of Skywalker), for starters, is the perfect final girl. She gives her Frida a down-to-Earth quality that is painfully relatable in her authenticity, making her a protagonist that should (and will) inspire countless fan art t-shirts to come (as does the always underappreciated Adria Arjona (Hit Man). But on the flipside of the coin is Channing Tatum (Magic Mike series), who uses his beloved charisma and likability as the ultimate weapon as Slater. While not a bold performance, it’s the kind of subtle acting turn that feels more believable than the mustache twirling individuals audiences are used to in stories of this variety. And with excellent supporting contributions from a wacky Gena Davis (The Long Kiss Goodnight), a fascinating Haley Joel Osment (The Sixth Sense; Tusk), and an equally interesting Christian Slater (Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves), this ensemble is truly limitless in their talents, a fact that Kravitz uses to her advantage.
Similarly, Blink Twice is also a masterclass in both editing and sound design. Right from the beginning, editor Kathryn J. Schubert (Telsa) creates a haunting, aggressive rhythm that attacks the audience with well-time information. It’s this bold style that works towards Kravtiz’s goals of making the film feel similar to the way memories come in and out of you. Similarly, the sound team, along with composer Chanda Dancy (Aftershock), work seamlessly together to increase the uneasy atmosphere of Kravitz’s world. From the use of loud camera noises to the crackling of something that sounds almost like an old film reel, every element comes together in a symphony of cinematic anxiety. And when you pair that together with one of the best uses of a Chaka Khan song, it truly is a rollercoaster for the senses.
L-R: Actor Channing Tatum and director Zoë Kravitz on the set of their film BLINK TWICE, an Amazon MGM Studios film. © 2024 Amazon Content Services LLC. All Rights Reserved.
But the greatest thing within Blink Twice is Kravitz’s passion. It’s so apparent how much she unapologetically loves the art form of filmmaking that it’s near impossible to not fall under her cinephile spell. From her visual references to her excellent use of familiar tropes, she confidently knows how to pay tribute to the great artists of Hollywood’s past while blazing a new trail for herself and future female filmmakers alike. And if Blink Twice is any indication of her future big screen work, she could take the modern-day mantel from Adrian Lyne (Jacob’s Ladder) and give a whole new generation even more smart, powerful Hollywood thrillers but with a much-needed female perspective.
Yet, with all this said, does the Blu-ray release of Blink Twice match the film’s detail-oriented energy? Not even close. Sure, it’s great to see Kravitz’s work in fantastic, colorful detail on this home release, yet this barebones approach is truly disrespectful to all the talented folks that brought Kravitz’s vision to reality. Why aren’t there any of the behind-the-scenes promotional material that was used on social media? What about a commentary track where Kravitz could have gone through every storytelling detail shot by shot? Obviously, Blink Twice is screaming for the Criterion treatment, but until that day, this minimal release plus some insightful YouTube videos afterwards will have to do.
Channing Tatum stars as Slater King in director Zoë Kravitz’s BLINK TWICE. An Amazon MGM Studios film Photo credit: Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios © 2024 Amazon Content Services LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Overall, Zoë Kravitz’s Blink Twice is an inspiring debut for any young director, but especially impressive when coming from the actor-to-director pipeline. It’s a theme park ride fueled by thoughtful execution and a love for cinema, and rewards both its protagonist and audience with a conclusion worthy of pop culture discussions for decades to come. And while it certainly is not an easy watch for a casual viewer, it absolutely deserves to be cherished by those who love an impactful tale and desire another great entry in the “Good for Her” genre.
Available on digital September 17th, 2024.
Available on Blu-ray and DVD November 5th, 2024.
For more information, head to the official Amazon MGM Studios Blink Twice webpage.
Final Score: 4.5 out of 5.
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Categories: Home Release, Home Video, Recommendation, Reviews, streaming
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