Blink Twice Succeeds Where Saltburn Failed

by

Blink Twice Succeeds Where Saltburn Failed

Quick Links

  • Saltburn Doesn’t Have Much to Say
  • Why Blink Twice Does It All Better

As a film enthusiast who has spent countless hours delving into the intricacies of storytelling and social commentary, I find myself utterly disenchanted with the cinematic farce that is Saltburn. Coming from someone who has seen more than a few British period dramas in my time, I can confidently say that this film is not just a step back for the genre, but a giant leap off a cliff into a pool of mediocrity.

On August 23, 2024, Zoë Kravitz’s directorial debut, titled “Blink Twice,” will make a dramatic entrance. Critics are praising it highly for its compelling narrative. At first glance, the island-set thriller appears to be one kind of movie, but in the second half, it takes an unexpected turn, causing viewers to reevaluate the storyline and unravel a perplexing enigma that culminates in a shocking climax. The intricate plot twists and themes of wealth and power echo those found in Emerald Fennell’s “Saltburn,” but “Blink Twice” offers a more profound message by critically examining the wealthy elite who, it suggests, can commit murder with impunity.

While Saltburn portrayed a cunning swindler infiltrating a wealthy family, taking over their grand estate, and manipulating them to gain control of their priceless possessions, its stylish production couldn’t mask the shallow content behind its intended social critique. On the other hand, Blink Twice delves deeper into the issue of powerful men exploiting women and the ineffectiveness of justice for those who can afford it. Unlike Saltburn, Blink Twice excels where it falters, offering a richer portrayal of its main character and seamlessly integrating style and substance to deliver a sharp social commentary.

Blink Twice Critiques the Power of Wealthy Men

Blink Twice Succeeds Where Saltburn Failed

Originally known as “Pussy Island, Blink Twice“, this psychological horror-thriller marks Zoë Kravitz’s debut as a director. Co-written by E.T. Feigenbaum with Kravitz, the plot revolves around Frida (Naomi Ackie), a cocktail waitress who receives an invitation to a lavish island retreat from Slater King (portrayed brilliantly by Channing Tatum), a charismatic and hedonistic billionaire tech magnate reminiscent of Jeffrey Epstein, along with her friend Jess (Alia Shawkat).

Frida finds herself on an opulent private island, accessible only by the elite 1%, where she quickly notices unusual behavior at this lavish resort. For example, Slater seems to be surrounded by sycophants like cameraman Vic (Christian Slater), DJ Tom (Hayley Joel Osment), and personal chef Cody (Simon Rex). Their excessive politeness suggests a hidden agenda and raises suspicions of something suspicious happening.

In the meantime, an unusual fragrance is bestowed upon all women and every staff member bears the same snake tattoo. Suddenly, Jess gets bitten by a snake and is compelled to drink antidote administered by a maid who keeps referring to a “Red Rabbit.” After this incident, Frida searches for Jess among the other female guests at the resort. These include Sarah (Adria Arjona), Camilla (Liz Caribel), and Heather (Trew Mullen), each of whom is carefully selected by Slater for shocking reasons. The film initially gives a relaxed vibe with its party atmosphere filled with alcohol and marijuana, but it reveals its sharp teeth in the second half with its intriguing plot twists.

Saltburn Doesn’t Have Much to Say

Blink Twice Succeeds Where Saltburn Failed

In the second film of her career, Emerald Fennell pens and directs “Saltburn“, a gripping British psychological thriller. The narrative revolves around Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan), a cunning social climber who sets his sights on the affluent Catton family. At Oxford University, he befriends Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi) under false pretenses, posing as a scholarship student from a struggling background. In reality, every word that leaves Oliver’s mouth is a lie, designed to win Felix’s compassion by fabricating a past of abuse and deceased parents. However, this charade serves a darker purpose: to gain Felix’s trust before tearing his family apart for Oliver’s personal benefit.

Felix extends an invitation for Oliver to visit his prosperous Saltburn country home, which belongs to his family. Upon Oliver’s arrival, chaos ensues among the household members. He covertly charms Felix’s sister Venetia (Alison Oliver) and takes advantage of Felix’s cousin Farleigh (Archie Madekwe). As Oliver grows increasingly fixated on Felix, he manages to win over his parents, Sir James (Richard E. Grant) and Lady Elspeth (Rosamund Pike), causing further strife within the family.

Initially exploring the British class system and delving into a character analysis, “Blink Twice” later transforms into a chilling portrayal of a cunning manipulator and deceitful murderer driven by monetary ambition. However, as the movie’s core message gets overshadowed by stylish production, it becomes hard to take it seriously. On the contrary, “Blink Twice” gains more clarity and impactfulness as the plot unfolds, effectively conveying Kravitz’s powerful message.

Why Blink Twice Does It All Better

Blink Twice Succeeds Where Saltburn Failed

Saltburn, with its vibrant, sweet-hued aesthetics and bubbly pop tunes, showcases a polished style over substantial social commentary. The most striking instance is found in the climactic scene where the film trades its superficial social critique for an eccentric karaoke performance by Oliver of Sophie Ellis Bextor’s “Murder on the Dancefloor.” In this scene, Oliver revels in his criminal victories, while the movie undermines its own anti-elitist messages by portraying a serial killer as enjoying the same wealth and status that it supposedly criticizes. At best, it lacks depth, but at worst, it’s hypocritical.

Besides criticizing the movie’s flashy visual style, Sight & Sound’s critique also points out that the shallow portrayal of its characters becomes more damaging as the story progresses. The most chilling aspect in this film, it seems, is a subtly passive-aggressive karaoke selection. On a positive note, BBC’s review praised the movie for its style over substance, suggesting that if you view it as a vivid pulp fantasy instead of a deep satire, then Saltburn offers a delightfully wild experience.

In the film, Oliver’s despicable actions as he tries to seize the Catton family’s wealth, power, and property make him increasingly unforgivable. This behavior weakens any attempts at criticizing the elitism of the Cattons, as viewers are supposed to cheer for Oliver’s success. However, the more vile his actions become, the less effective the movie’s social commentary on wealth and privilege becomes. By the end, it turns out that Felix, the one targeting the wealthy victims, is actually far worse than those he targets, and he was pretending to come from a humble background all along. This revelation undercuts the film’s social subtext, making it contradictory to its intended message. The movie, titled Blink Twice, ultimately defeats its thematic purpose in an ironic twist.

Instead of Blink Twice, the story creates empathy for Frida, encouraging viewers to side with her in seeking justice against the wealthy elites who exploit the island for heinous sexual misconduct. Conversely, Saltburn portrays Oliver as a predator who avoids punishment, leading characters like Slater King to continue their abusive behavior unchecked. Essentially, Blink Twice delivers harsh realities for reprehensible actions, whereas Saltburn seems to glorify such acts and allows them to persist in the narrative. The distinction lies in the fact that Blink Twice forcefully conveys its social commentary, while Saltburn intentionally mutes it through subpar direction and disjointed storylines.

Blink Twice is currently playing in theaters & Saltburn is available to stream on Prime Video.

Read More

2024-08-30 00:02