I can easily say that the films that entertain me the most today are thrillers. No matter the premise, I will create expectations and probably get involved with the plot. This, of course, when the film is conducted in the right way, as in Blink Twice by Zoë Kravitz.
In Blink Twice, we follow the story of Frida (Naomi Ackie), who, while working at a charity gala, meets billionaire Slater King (Channing Tatum). They end up spending the entire party together, which leads Slater to invite Frida to spend some time on his private island with other friends of the billionaire. At first, everything seemed fine, but over time, Frida discovers that nothing is as it seems.
Don’t expect something revolutionary from Blink Twice, because that’s not what you’ll get, as the narrative, even though well-orchestrated, is not mind-blowing. However, even though it was her first work as a director, Zoë Kravitz manages to create a captivating sensory experience dominated by tension through sound and editing.
Kravitz maintains a constant atmosphere of strangeness from the beginning to the end of the film. We know something is wrong, even in moments that were supposedly meant to be festive, they are strangely disturbing. The soundtrack with a heavier tone and the performances are essential in building this discomfort.
This discomfort, as the film progresses, undergoes numerous processes of re-signification, so to speak. If at first we are embarrassed by a bizarre interaction between characters, this strangeness intensifies to the point where the director puts us in a state of impotence and guilt in the face of certain acts. We really question whether “forgetting is a gift,” as Slater King himself states at numerous points in the film.
Blink Twice dives deep into the traumas of its characters, making them the center of this narrative, questioning whether we should face them or not. And the most interesting thing is the parallel the film makes of this discussion with the subtle subtext about journalism and the omission that often occurs in the field.
Unfortunately, as not everything is perfect, the ending given to this story is far below the rest that was delivered to us. Even with intriguing twists, the film ends up choosing certain paths in the script that end up diverging from what was previously presented to us. I’m not saying the ending completely ruins the final product, but it undoubtedly leaves a bitter aftertaste to see a lazy and so dissonant ending from the rest of the film.
Blink Twice is a top-notch thriller that skillfully blends elements of horror and comedy, emphasizing a tone of naturalness in the face of all the events that greatly adds to the construction of uncertainty and fear by Zoë Kravitz. A great way to start her career.
Blink Twice releases in theaters on August 23.
