Critics Are Having A Good Time With Blink Twice, Despite Some Imperfections In Zoë Kravitz And Channing Tatum’s Thriller

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As a longtime cinephile who’s had the privilege of witnessing the evolution of Hollywood, I must say that I’m genuinely thrilled about Zoë Kravitz’s directorial debut, Blink Twice. Having followed her career since her days on the big screen in Big Fish and Mad Max: Fury Road, it’s fascinating to see her step behind the camera.

Anticipation has been high for Zoë Kravitz’s directorial debut, “Blink Twice,” set to hit theaters in 2024. From altering its original title that was not suitable for all audiences, to Kravitz and her fiancé Channing Tatum making their red carpet premiere together, as Tatum stars in the film, there’s been no shortage of attention-grabbing news surrounding it. However, with production work now behind us, the spotlight can shift towards the movie itself. Critics who have already watched “Blink Twice” claim that while it has its flaws, it offers an enjoyable viewing experience and marks a promising first step for Kravitz as a director.

The film stars Naomi Ackie as Frida, a cocktail waitress who snags an invite for her and her friend to join tech billionaire Slater King (Channing Tatum) for a big party on his private island. The too-good-to-be-true getaway turns into exactly that. In the TopMob review of Blink Twice, our own Jessica Rawden says Zoë Kravitz’s vision is super fun and chock full of leading lady energy. Rawden rates the movie 4 stars out of 5, praising Tatum and Ackie’s performances. She writes:

As I exited the cinema, I privately mused, ‘This film has been my top pick for the year thus far.’ However, it’s not necessarily the best movie I’ve seen this year, which is a key point to note. Yet, anyone venturing into a theater with popcorn in hand this month won’t be let down. Kravitz can rightfully feel pleased about his directorial debut, and I eagerly anticipate future projects from him.

According to Travis Hopson from Punch Drunk Critics, Zoë Kravitz’s debut film, “Blink Twice,” receives a score of 3 out of 5 stars. He believes that while the movie aims high and comes close, it ultimately falls slightly short of its target. Despite some flaws, Hopson considers the film to be bold and thought-provoking, expressing his thoughts as: “Even with its imperfections, ‘Blink Twice’ remains a daring and stimulating piece.”

The experience lacks substance and is more enjoyable than thought-provoking, which can be both understandable and frustrating due to its simplicity. As Slater’s true intentions are revealed and Frida gains clarity, Kravitz overdoes the quirkiness. In essence, there are numerous plot inconsistencies and unresolved questions that remain unexplained, giving the impression that the storyline was improvised rather than thoroughly planned out, prioritizing atmosphere and messaging over coherence.

According to Richard Roeper from the Chicago Sun-Times, the rookie director makes a bold attempt in her first film, and more times than not, she successfully executes it. Roeper admires the way Blink Twice seamlessly combines satire with horror, appreciating its captivating visuals and clever dialogue. He awards the movie 3.5 stars out of 4.

Apart from one significant inconsistency, the eccentric narrative flow effectively, although it becomes somewhat complex at breakneck speed towards the finale, necessitating a moment’s pause to grasp all the developments as the credits unfold. The film skillfully leverages its impressive ensemble cast, with standout performances by Ackie and Arjona, while Channing cleverly utilizes his natural charisma in an unexpected manner. In her debut role, Zoë Kravitz demonstrates her undeniable talent, a promising sign of great things to come. I eagerly anticipate her future projects.

Aaron Neuwirth from We Live Entertainment rates the upcoming horror-thriller an 8 out of 10 in user ratings, describing it as both captivating and darkly amusing. Despite not fully grasping all that unfolded within its 102-minute duration, Neuwirth still admires the movie. The critic further notes:

“At first glance, Blink Twice might appear to be a simple horror movie set on an island with escalating horrors, but it’s far more complex than that. Labeling it as both a horror and a social thriller doesn’t fully capture its depth. Zoë Kravitz’s directorial debut appears to delve into deeper themes such as gender disparity, white privilege, the ‘MeToo’ movement, and more. What I appreciate about this film is its cleverness in encouraging viewers to stay one step ahead. It also incorporates a lot of gritty determination and subtle dark humor, which makes for an engaging, often brutal, yet entertaining experience.”

Sophie Butcher from Empire finds the movie “Blink Twice” to be an impressively sharp and impactful thriller. It showcases Zoë Kravitz as a daring director and offers a unique perspective of Channing Tatum that we haven’t seen before. Butcher gives it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars in her review.

In a manner reminiscent of “Get Out”, Kravitz skillfully reveals the chilling events on the island. Through strategic use of flashbacks, quick edits, and sudden increases in sound and imagery, she creates an intense, edge-of-your-seat atmosphere that keeps you on high alert. Although the overall plot becomes somewhat predictable initially, Kravitz’s direction and the sharp, well-crafted screenplay by Kravitz and E.T. Feigenbaum ensure the story remains engaging. Despite featuring graphic scenes, particularly in the violent climax, the film maintains a balance to prevent it from appearing exploitative.

In simpler terms, the critical consensus is that this is an impressive debut for the director, although not flawless. Many are eager to see what Zoë Kravitz will do next. Generally speaking, the positive aspects appear to outshine the negative ones. As of now, the movie Blink Twice has a 76% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 72 reviews. The film is set to be released in theaters on August 23rd.

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2024-08-22 19:40