Blink Twice: A dark paradise unveiled
Spoiler Alert: This article contains spoilers for “Blink Twice,” currently in theaters.
A deceptive paradise
In her directorial debut, Zoë Kravitz takes us on a chilling journey with “Blink Twice,” where paradise is not what it seems. The film opens with roommates and cocktail waitresses Frida (Naomi Ackie) and Jess (Alia Shawkat) working at a lavish party hosted by Slater King, a charismatic and enigmatic tech billionaire played by Channing Tatum.
Frida is immediately captivated by Slater, and by the end of the night, she and Jess are invited to vacation on his private island. Slater, who has been keeping a low profile due to some past indiscretions, seems to have a magnetic pull on Frida, who is more interested in her animal-themed fingernail art than his dubious past.
The island of illusions
On the island, Frida and Jess join a group of scantily clad women and Slater’s inner circle, including his sister Stacy (Geena Davis), who doubles as his personal assistant. The guests surrender their cell phones and indulge in a daily routine of champagne, gourmet food, and psychedelic drugs. The only apparent danger is the venomous snakes lurking in the grass.
As the days pass, Frida begins to notice odd occurrences—dirt under her fingernails and a mysteriously disappearing stain on her dress. The days blur together, and the tropical paradise morphs into a nightmare when Jess is bitten by a snake. Despite assurances from Slater and his entourage that Jess will be fine, she starts to panic, sensing something is terribly wrong.
Unraveling the mystery
Frida dismisses Jess’s concerns, too enamored with the attention from Slater. However, as she navigates the island, she repeatedly encounters a housekeeper tasked with killing the snakes. The housekeeper’s cryptic warnings and a sip of a mysterious green liquid—revealed to be snake venom—begin to unravel the island’s dark secrets.
Frida soon realizes Jess is missing, and the other women have no memory of her. Repressed memories surface, revealing the horrifying truth: the women are drugged and assaulted nightly, their memories erased by morning. The snake venom counteracts the drugs, allowing Frida to recall the traumatic events, including Jess’s murder.
A plan for survival
Frida confides in Sarah (Adria Arjona), a survival show alum, who trusts her enough to drink the venom. Together, they devise a plan to enlighten the other women by mixing the venom with tequila and serving it poolside. They are acutely aware that even if they escape, their stories may not be believed.
At the pool, even the usually frantic Stacy takes the venom-infused shots. As memories resurface, Stacy violently confronts Frida, revealing her complicity in the crimes. Frida kills Stacy and retrieves a box of Polaroids from Slater’s quarters, documenting the women brought to the island.
The final showdown
At dinner, Frida and Sarah wait for the venom to take effect on the other women. As their memories return, they launch a brutal attack on their assailants, set to Beyoncé’s “I’m That Girl.” Amid the chaos, Frida recalls her own past assault on the island, marked by the dirt under her nails and the red rabbit motif.
only Frida, Sarah, and Slater remain. Frida and Sarah burn Slater’s estate, but they don’t kill him. Instead, Frida fills his vape with the psychedelic drugs, preparing for the ultimate revenge.
A disturbing triumph
The film concludes with a gala reminiscent of the opening party, but this time, Frida is the one being honored. She has taken over Slater’s tech empire and married him, embodying the motto she shared with Jess: “Success is the best revenge.”
For more details and to watch the trailer, visit Blink Twice.
Personal reflections:
As a cinema enthusiast, “Blink Twice” offers a gripping narrative that delves into the dark side of paradise. Kravitz’s direction is both haunting and compelling, making it a must-watch for fans of psychological thrillers. The film’s exploration of memory, trauma, and revenge is both disturbing and thought-provoking, leaving a lasting impact long after the credits roll.
For those who appreciate in-depth character studies and complex storylines, “Blink Twice” is a cinematic experience that shouldn’t be missed. The performances, particularly by Naomi Ackie and Alia Shawkat, are powerful and nuanced, adding depth to the film’s chilling atmosphere.
In the realm of TV series and movies, “Blink Twice” stands out as a bold and daring debut, showcasing Kravitz’s potential as a filmmaker. It’s a film that invites multiple viewings, each time revealing new layers and insights into its dark and twisted world.