Blink Twice

FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://fandomwire.com/blink-twice-review-zoe-kravitzs-directorial-debut-delivers-a-thought-provoking-exploration-of-power-and-trauma/ "Blink Twice marks a promising debut for Zoë Kravitz as a filmmaker, demonstrating that her personal creativity and vision aren't confined to the side of the camera she works on. Despite some shortcomings in tone management, the compelling narrative, supported by memorable performances from Ackie, Tatum, and Arjona, and an immersive, unsettling atmosphere, make this psychological thriller an engaging, cathartic experience. Kravitz tackles relevant, complex contemporary themes, offering a thought-provoking reflection on power, trauma, forgiveness, and forgetting. Above all, this debut will leave many viewers eager to see what Kravitz brings to the world of cinema in the near future." Rating: B+

Yikes but this is riddled with flaws. "Frida" (Naomi Ackie) and her pal "Jess" (Alia Shawkat) are working for the caterers at a grand party hosted by gazillionaire "Slater" (Channing Tatum). Mid way through the evening, they don their glad rags and join in the party. A little accident gets "Frida" introduced to their host and after a few glasses of Champagne, the two are thick as thieves. His chief of staff, "Vic" (Christian Slater) needs to go somewhere warm so he can have a drink with an umbrella in it, so they readily accept an invitation from their new-found friend to visit his paradise island where together with a group of his other friends, they will enjoy some sunshine, fine dining and drugs-galore. What's a bit unnerving on this otherwise Elysian estate, is the old woman (María Elena Olivares) who seems to spend her time gathering up some beautiful yellow snakes that roam the place freely but whose venom can be dangerous. It's only when "Jess" gets bitten that her friend begins to wonder just what is going on here. It's all just too idyllic, and when the old lady gives her a shot of something to drink that isn't from an hand-blown bottle - well, reality starts to kick in and things take on a much more sinister reality not just for her, but for all of the women going about their days in blissful, powder-induced, ignorance. It's got something of the Agatha Christie meets "Glass Onion" to it, this - and for maybe the first half hour is quite intriguing, but once the story gets into gear it just becomes too implausible. Sure, it plays to vanity and the readiness of folks to believe what clearly is too good to be true, but as the story builds to a denouement there is one whopping great Achilles' heel in the premiss that even the occasional presence of his perma-ditzy assistant "Stacy" (Geena Davis) can't rescue. It's a good looking drama, but the acting is as unremarkable as the dialogue and though I did quite like the irony of the final conclusion, the plot is just way too thin as we work our way there. This is typical summertime cinema fayre that tries to mix comedy with thriller but in the end just looks like a good excuse for Tatum, Slater et al to have some fun in the sun.