Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Drugs, assault, swearing in gripping, darkly comic thriller.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Blink Twice
What's the Story?
In BLINK TWICE, Frida (Naomi Ackle) meets billionaire playboy Slater King (Channing Tatum) at a fundraiser where she's working as a server. When Slater invites Frida and her best friend, Jess (Alia Shawkat), to join him and his friends as they jet off to his private island, she feels like she's living in a dream world. The days on the island are indulgent—and so much fun—but Frida's memory lapses start to be concerning.
Is It Any Good?
Venomous snakes slither through the grass of Slater King's fabulous island compound, a warning to viewers that a sharp, painful bite is about to spring from the shadows. And make no mistake: Zoë Kravitz' directorial debut is a rattler—even if you think you know where it's all going, there's no way to be prepared. (If we've learned anything from the headlines, it's that young people should not accept invitations to a billionaire's private island, and let's just say that includes this one.) The impact of Blink Twice is in the secrets that won't be revealed here; just know that what shakes out of the banana trees is too viscerally awful even for most older teens. It's not that any one moment shows what shouldn't be seen; rather, the horror is in the chaos and understanding of what's happening.
Blink Twice isn't so much a "female empowerment movie" as it is a primal scream—it's as if Network and Twisted Sister united and decided to burn everything to the ground. Just like the snakes that hunt (and are being hunted) on the island, everything here is a metaphor. Some are easy to spot (imbibing to make yourself forget the pain never works out in the end), and some take some deeper thought. Kravitz' debut compares with the hard shake of Jordan Peele's Get Out, although it's not quite as perfect. There's a little too much obviousness here and there, but this film is still pretty darn good—for adults.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the core message of Blink Twice—that, for women to retain their independence and autonomy, they need to stick together and never forget the past. Why is this a relevant message, and what are examples of women banding together to battle mistreatment?
Is substance use glamorized here? Why, or why not? Are there realistic consequences? Why does that matter?
What news-related events do you think might have inspired this story? How is it a cautionary tale about friendly people with nefarious intentions?
What is poetic justice? How does this play out in Blink Twice?
Movie Details
- In theaters : August 23, 2024
- On DVD or streaming : September 17, 2024
- Cast : Naomi Ackie , Channing Tatum , Alia Shawkat
- Director : Zoë Kravitz
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Black Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Bisexual Movie Actor(s) , Middle Eastern/North African Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s) , Black Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Amazon MGM Studios
- Genre : Thriller
- Run time : 102 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong violent content, sexual assault, drug use and language throughout, and some sexual references
- Award : NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : January 15, 2025
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