BLINK TWICE Movie Review | Zoë Kravitz | Channing Tatum | Naomi Ackie

Zoë Kravitz makes her directorial debut with the darkly thrilling "Blink Twice." Naomi Ackie and Alia Shawkat play best friends who get swept away to the private island of a tech billionaire (Channing Tatum) who's trying to rehabilitate his image after some damaging allegations. But what seems like a relaxing and luxurious escape eventually turns out to be something else entirely. Kravitz co-wrote the script with E.T. Feigenbaum. Co-starring Adria Arjona, Simon Rex, Christian Slater, Geena Davis and Haley Joel Osment. In theaters now.
#blinktwice #zoekravitz #channingtatum
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[@0214Bub]

The end ending was an interesting twist for better or worse. Tatum and Ackie seem to have this almost deep seated codependent connection that defies explanation. It’s the movie to see this weekend in my opinion if you want something interesting and different.

[@AkiVainio]

I don't want put words in anyones mouth, but the thing I was thinking about and I Christy might have as well, was that did Kravitz, as a legacy artist, really understand the implications of the last scene? Did Kravitz see that as karmic and right or did she try to imply a constant cycle of exploitation?

[@Cass_Suitor]

Like Stockholm Syndrome? I've heard ppl refer to that

[@0214Bub]

@@Cass_Suitor yes

[@0214Bub]

@@AkiVainio since this is a non-spoiler review I don’t want to say too much, but it’s nice Kravitz never really gives us the answer and leaves the audience to draw their own conclusions. Also, she never seems to feel the need to explain to the audience what’s going on in the movie which was refreshing considering the recent trend in movies to spoon feed us the story.

[@timothyw98]

Genna Davis is in this. Nice to see her back on the big screen.

[@ReelTakesMovieBreaks]

Yes! I love Genna Davis

[@joekerr7975]

So Gambit is going to marry Catwomen and his step father in law will be Aquaman. Talk about a MultiVerse of Madness!

[@famousthaneus9810]

Won’t be his stepdad. JM & (actresses’s name escapes me) divorced a few years ago

[@Locusto199]

@@famousthaneus9810 Lisa Bonet is the mom of Zoe, JM was married to Lisa. I’m not doing the math equation as to what their relation are lol. It’s weird, but considering celebrities/actors have relationships like that…??. I’m way too young to know Bonet, but damn she still looks good.

[@Locusto199]

I liked it. I did not know Zoe and Tatum were engaged. Great cast, some of which have almost no lines lol. Certainly a couple parts where ppl in the theater looked away, no spoilers as to what.

[@annaburns2865]

There was no gore and technically no nudity in this movie. I couldn’t look away.

[@Locusto199]

@@annaburns2865 I meant something else, although there was some gore. I don’t mind gore, just there’s a scene that some may look/did look away from.

[@mywalkabout]

Just got back from seeing it, and I was engaged throughout! This will be one to think about for a bit

[@lexis4490]

This was a great first movie from Zoe. I want to see it again. And I want to see more from her.

[@landondefever1187]

SO GOOD. Just got back and this, along with I Saw the TV Glow, are my two biggest surprises of the year so far.

[@rutherfrogp.wilmington4907]

TV Glow was a masterpiece and easily my favorite of the year so far

[@jonfreeman9682]

So you're saying TV glow is good? What's it about?

[@diamonddoggspuppy7755]

You should watch Strange Darling.

[@BobSullivanAKABuffy]

You mention the title card at the beginning. I went to a screening on Wednesday where by the time that warning came up we'd already been warned three times! First in line as we were checking in...then there was a big poster board outside the auditorium again warning us...then when the screening staff gave us the "turn off your phones" etc. talk he warned us a third time about the content. I can't ever remember being at a movie with that going on and it made me wonder how they'd be treating it in general release because by the time it shows up onscreen you've already bought your ticket and your popcorn and...NOW YOU TELL ME?! That being said, in the post-screening reaction email rating I still gave it five stars out of five because I thought four wouldn't get its craft and style across enough. But still five stars gives you a "oh, you've got to see this!" feel which for this I don't think it's for everyone to see. And this is from someone who fliches EVERY TIME there's that truck swerve in the SMILE 2 trailer. Really loved the sound design. Told my friend he might enjoy it in Dolby.

[@wahoo4uva]

i’m surprised at your high ratings of this film! assumed you’d both be more critical of it. i give it a 6/10.

[@kamoheloiannk617]

I think that last scene was a kind of fantasy wish fulfillment... After all she'd been through cause she'd been to the island more than just once

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Ah, that is an interesting interpretation.

[@rickwiese5438]

I saw it today and really enjoyed it. Definitely a different sort of role for Channing Tatum, but I thought he was great. He's really grown on me as an actor in recent years. I was getting a bit of a Midsommar with rich hedonists vibe for awhile, but then it went somewhere truly dark. The very, very end was definitely unexpected, but I think I was OK with it.

[@langleymneely]

Ive been wanting to see this since it was called Pussy Island! It looks great. The most beautiful couple in the world made one of the most disturbing films of the year! Can’t wait to see it!

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Oh was that the original title? Wow.

[@thewebstylist]

I don’t find her attractive at all actually, vibes like a skinny hippie that doesn’t like to shower but hope I’m wrong

[@tlovehater]

Lmao maybe "Pussy Island" is already the name of some porn movie franchise.

[@Gmalife]

It is DEFINITELY worth seeing!! Loved it and really hope to see more from Zoe 💕💐

[@tonipeluso]

Tatum and Kravitz started dating in 2021 after their divorces were both finalized. I'm not sure why this is off-putting? Anyway, I wasn't fond of the trailer but maybe will see it now. Very intrigued.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Never said off-putting, it's just information we didn't know. Thanks for watching.

[@moebrains5893]

I was on the fence about this film bc the subject matter seems very well trodden, but now I def need to catch it!

[@al5068]

I loved when that Chaka Khan song came on. If I wasn’t alone in the theater I totally would have gotten up and danced. Maybe I still should’ve 😂🕺🪩

[@a.p.5216]

Was the same with me with Young Hearts Run Free! Was about to start singing, but - lucky for the audience - didn't know the lyrics.

[@wahoo4uva]

i was jammin’ in my seat 😅

[@sunshinesooperman5110]

“A fun gambit.” I see what’cha did there, Alonso. 🃏

[@DuaneHinkle]

I resisted this movie because of the previews. After your thoughtful review I saw it today and wow, you were both right. I do have a non-spoiler comment on the last scene. It brought to mind the word "intention" , specifically the intention of Naomi's character starting early in the movie. I think she might have fulfilled her original intention.

[@manojkarthick]

It's not perfect, but it was a very good debut film for Kravitz. It had too many Chekhov's guns in my opinion and I'm with you on the final "ending". It felt unnecessary, it would've worked better without it. "Pussy Island" would have been a much more empowering and impactful title - but I suppose the general audience isn't probably ready for it.

[@MrRicardowill]

You guys are currently the best movie reviewers in my current ranking on 5 Star Movie Reviews. Topping Jeremy Jahns is no easy task, but you did it. Can you hold on? That’s the fun of the challenge. Good luck.

[@gjin141]

I loved this and want to watch again. Naomi and Channing's chemistry was tangible. Chilling film

[@Gmalife]

Same here! Just came home from watching and already want to watch again. “Chilling” is the perfect description

[@BobBoozle]

Enjoyed the review. I was absorbed in this world. The techie guy on an island reminded me of Ex Machina, the paradise element reminded me of The Beach and the island naives and therapy elements reminded me of Shutter Island. Looking forward to a second viewing.

[@KnarfStein]

I saw this film Thursday night and plan on watching Strange Darling as a companion piece today or this weekend. The filmmaking on a technical level is pretty damn impressive, especially as a publicly released debut film, and the broad social message is definitely a righteous one, but the details honestly had eyes roll so many times, as they take quite the suspension of disbelief to pull off. For example, no one wears mechanical watches anymore? As a personal ethical lesson on living within your means and obviously not taking candies from a stranger though, this film certainly lands.

[@Jeannine_9]

I just came out the theater seeing this and I thought it was a solid debut film. The overall plot was compelling and good acting by the entire cast . I’m still pondering that ending… Ive might have made a different decision lol

[@AustinAshburn]

Strange Darling review? 👀

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Yes, next week!

[@martymascarin486]

Serious premise, some inspired stylistic flourishes, good use of camera placement & extreme close-ups. Characterization and is a bit under-nourished. The guest mix has some interesting bits of business going on. Adria Arjona holds Simon Rex at bay, while she jealously observes Tatum's fawning over Ackie. Some males suffer from lack of insecurity while some of the females are spaced out. None of them are likeable. Nor are they accessible. Other than the reveal that Arjona's character conquered TV's "Survivor" (thus referring to the last act) we learn little about the rest of them. Seldana does a fine job of creating a sense of the off-putting, the off-kilter, a sense of unease. Camera close-ups crackle with a sound effect. The soundtrack has a continuous menacing throb. The last act features horrific, graphic retaliation for horrific acts that remain unseen---suppressed memory?--- from a previous time, echoing Jeffrey Epstein. The final scene is a stretch, flying in the face of the horrific business that preceded it. Does the fire totally obliterate evidence to what happened to the victims? This is the only thing that can cause question for plausibility of the final scene. I still found characterization lacking in Slater and Frida---how DO they hit it off at his reception? But overall, this is an impressive first effort.

[@martymascarin486]

PS; upon reflection maybe--just maybe----the last scene may make sense, tables have been switched, though it seems like a tall order. However, the fire at the manse may explain how there aren't greater repercussions for what has transpired. I stand corrected! lol

[@jasonraschen1109]

Oh good. I really want to see this. Such a great cast. Really interested in what the ending is now. Thank you and have a great weekend!

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Thanks Jason, you too, let us know what you think!

[@maimoneattia]

@BreakfastAllDay Great review of a powerful film with strong ideas that had shades of Get Out and maybe even Picnic at Hanging Rock and Peeping Tom (Slater taking photos of the women). Would you guys do a spoiler discussion video for Blink Twice? Would love that. Thanks!

[@KennethPalmer10]

I just saw it! I really liked it! Hey guys….. PLEASE REVIEW ‘STRANGE DARLING’??? 🙏🏽🙏🏽🤞🏾

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Next week!

[@dibs1601]

@@BreakfastAllDayyes please, ive been seeing it make rounds on twitter and saw the rotten tomatoes score out of curiosity, it was so high!

[@KennethPalmer10]

@@BreakfastAllDay thank youuuuu!!!

[@aaronnerswick5359]

When are you gonna review strange darling? I saw it last night and might be my favorite film of the year.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Next week!

[@ricky93100]

I thought it was a good movie too I agree with Alonso I was predicting how it could’ve gone wrong but she made all the right choices I think

[@bluescat59]

I saw it last night and still don’t know how I feel about it. I loved the Menu and Triangle of Sadness, and Get Out too, and the filmmaking is impressive, but story wise I’m not sure I’m on board

[@timothyw98]

Bit like Brandon Cronenberg's Infinity Pool. Rich people living in a fantastical scfy like world. Aswel the colour pallet of the first season of White Lotus with the satirical nature of Triangle of Sadness.

[@jonfreeman9682]

Infinity pool was bonkers. I liked it for some strange reason. Probably because it's so bizarre. LoL

[@amilcareschettini5881]

Zoe casted her hubby as a "creepy raper" and casted a romantic interest who isn't as hot as Zoe. Well played.

[@SkolneyVikings]

This material desperately needed an experienced director, and even then, I'm not sure it would have worked.

[@ReelTakesMovieBreaks]

Agreed!

[@MiggyMash1218]

More Simon Rex!

[@SAM-MME]

Honestly I was really surprised by how much I liked this. It’s not perfect but a really good directorial debut.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Glad you liked it too!

[@Stanley-k7u]

The best part of this movie is that you can enjoy it just as a horrror thriller. If you choose to see the deeper meanings you can, but its not forced on you.

[@itsreelydalin]

I just came back from it earlier today and it's easily my favorite movie of 2024 (thus far)

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Dalin that's great, what did you love about it?

[@itsreelydalin]

@@BreakfastAllDay While I could write an entire essay as an answer, I'll sum it up like this: "Blink Twice" crosses the finish line where "Don't Worry Darling" stumbled. Also, shoutout to editor Kathryn J. Schubert who I think (along with Tatum and Ackie) is the other star of this movie.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

@@itsreelydalin Yes, very good point!

[@AkiVainio]

Marina Hyde brought up in her podcast (The Rest Is Entertainment) with Richard Osman that the trigger warnings don't tend to work as intended. They seem to raise the expectations and cause the viewer to be stressed even when theere's no need to. Now, is that enough of a reason to not use them? I'm not sure, because there still are people who would like to know for whatever reason and those reasons are still valid. It's just that the warnings might be making it all worse.

[@jasoncarrick5461]

Wow, I watched the trailer, and it looked very formulaic, 2 pretty girls get swept to a place by a rich handsome guy and things are great at first but then get very bad progressively. Very surprised by the high numbers, who knows, maybe I will watch it one day. A great under the radar movie w/ Tatum that should be seen by more people is "Logan Lucky".

[@SydneyTravellersGuide]

Just saw this. Enjoyed it tremendously but that ending… felt like it sunk the message/movie here

[@visualpr3cision]

I loved it. I would of gave it a 10 but the ending felt a little I dunno. Rushed? Weird? Easy? I don’t know honestly so I have it a 9/10. Still loved it. Go see Strange Darling for a 10/10!

[@thewebstylist]

Gonna see on Sunday!

[@a.p.5216]

Was so glad, I did not remember the trailer clearly, so everything was unexpected, and I think you guys spoiled a bit too much. It's best to go to the cinema with knowing as little as possible. Worked for me.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

We agree with that!

[@commandZee]

Thanks! I've been debating if I'm in the mood to see this film. TBH, I'm still not sure, "disturbing" isn't the adjective that makes we whip out my wallet.

[@sonsolar]

I loved this movie

[@cheriegoldie7179]

Great movie, wonderful acting too. So many crap movies these days...I really appeciate filmakers willing to take a risk a go a little different, and in this case I think they did it well. Great first movie from Zoe.

[@michaelflaherty3202]

Peyton Robinson gave this a 1. I guess this one is polarizing.

[@SEAsiaTraveler]

What a cheat of an ending. No reason to think she is that ruthless/obsessed/soul-less. Maybe if it was set up in the beginning that she had (figuratively) stabbed a friend in the back to get something but there's no reason to think she would shrug off err something very bad happening to a best friend. Very pretty movie, though.

[@UrbanDecayLova247]

Frita says things throughout the movie that aligns very much with the decision she made at the end. “Success is the best revenge” is said by her in the first 5 min of the film. Also things like how she doesn’t like being invisible, constantly needing a vacation, and she absolutely shrugged off her friend who was hurt & wanted to leave. The ending isn’t out of nowhere, especially on a rewatch.

[@CJ-sc6xv]

Sooo, any thoughts about the main female lead, Naomi Ackie? Just interesting that you had no comments about her performance.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

She was great -- lots we can't say without spoiling. But you're right, we should have mentioned her more. Everyone is good in this.

[@northernstar2064]

are you ok? is this a movie review or an actor review? get a life.

[@pamelajackson8648]

Channing and Zoe has been dating for 2 years

[@nallen9031]

I found this movie ro be really intriguing. It gave me the same uncomfortable feeling as Saltburn where I squirmed in my seat and couldn't look away. As with Saltburn, I felt the ending should have happened minutes earlier.

[@aaronsanders6162]

Saltburn was horrible

[@nevetsny1]

The trailer looks like a handful. There’s a lot in there.

[@CaroleMcDonnell]

Omigosh, this movie! This will be intellectual fodder for angry black women cultural criticism about self-loathing and dismantling Massa's house with Masaysa's tools. The Get Out vibe with a touch of Saltburn and a bit of the envious spite born from racial oppression. Ah to be seen and known! The longer-term triumph. Not sure if that's what Xie was aiming for because she's always been seen, so to speak, and might not connect to the desperation of poor nobodies wanting to be seen. But dang, I can see whole classes discussing this movie in Black film courses.

[@polypeptide]

Will you be reviewing Strange Darling? 😎

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Hello, yes, this week, we've gotten lots of requests (including many in the comments here).

[@dodgelandesman]

I loved this film, a subtle masterpiece with just enough in the surface to keep me engaged. To me, it does what "The Assistant" (inteded to highlight Harvey Weinstein) tried and failed to do. I think Zoe is using this as a vehicle to decry her growing up in Hollywood and perhaos subtly confirming that the conspiracy stuff about Hollywood trafficking rings may ring true. It was not an obvious but a very brave film to do. Unlike the Assistant, the plot moved along and the characters were far better drawn out. I loved the film, its a deep and subsersive work of art

[@petergrossi6605]

I liked it… 8.5/10

[@johnoates3791]

Y’all should do a review for Strange Darling.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Next week!

[@FritzTheCat_1030]

I just got back from seeing this and, while I really liked a lot about it, there's one particular plot point involving something they drink and what it does that I found to be one of the most utterly nonsensical ideas I've ever seen. The only reason for it is because the plot needed for something like that to happen and there wasn't a good enough writer around to come up with anything better. I found it so lazy and amateurish that it really detracted from my feelings about the movie overall.

[@kokconsulting2]

The ending ruined it for me. Live long enough to see yourself become villain. And did she plan it for a year? It took apart the whole point of the movie

[@northernstar2064]

ok you ruined it, won't be seeing it now = get a life and stop spoiling movies - you DO realize people read comments so you meant to do this

[@akxsharma]

@@northernstar2064ignore that that’s not really what happened lol. I would avoid any further comments for spoilers though! I read this before too and didn’t ruin the movie for me but it is kind of a tough watch

[@angelthman1659]

Interesting premise but terrible execution. It's got the #1 novice director blunder of having too many close ups. It's either long shots or close ups. Medium shots are banned. Blink Twice is your modern male-bashing movie that could be a companion to Barbie and Poor Things. Nothing happens in the first hour. And why did they need a trigger warning disclaimer at the beginning? The horror device is revealed only in quick flashes. It's hard to even know what happened. And it's got casting that only a female director could have. So these powerful men target plain, pudgy women for sexual gratification? I guess in 2024 we have equal-opportunity monsters. You may think my comment is insensitive, but I would think the filmmakers would want to look at real life monsters like Cosby and Epstein to model their villains. Looks are always important to them. Christy is right about one thing: Like in Barbie and Poor Things, oppressed women turn the tables and become the oppressors. It negates the protest element of the story. This movie certainly shouldn't be mentioned in the same breath as the classic called Get Out.

[@ReelTakesMovieBreaks]

You make some very interesting points. I agree with you mostly

[@blackkcinamacritic]

Gilligan's Island meets get out?????

[@Countfoscolikesmice]

Naomi Ackie is amazing. Amazing. The last 20 mins kinda lost me and the ending didn't follow through with what I think the film was commenting on before the tropey finale.

[@Alec_Collins78]

I don't know what I think. Another reviewer hated it and I've got some sympathy...

[@gailchancellor3144]

I want to see this review because I also hated it

[@Alec_Collins78]

@@gailchancellor3144 deepfocuslense channel.

[@SpideySensei72]

If the content isn't as "shocking" as Irreversible, I sincerely doubt it warrants a trigger warning at the beginning.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

It never hurts to be considerate of other people's feelings.

[@kyleb8655]

Strange Darling review????

[@BreakfastAllDay]

This week! Lots of folks have asked that question on this video.

[@DethStroke-fo7he]

From the start, Channing Tatum as a tech billionaire… nah, not believable. Ya lost me there.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Ha, have you seen it? Give it a chance!

[@inigomontoya4032]

Horrible fembot movie that has a horrible second half that undoes everything it tried to do in the first half. Waste of an hour and a half.

[@suikofreak546]

Trigger Warning

[@melishek0001]

Another man hating pretentious movie. Its not as deep as it thinks.

[@annaburns2865]

Make a movie about a violent sex offender. Then start dating the man who plays him. It IS off putting. Yes, Zoe Kravits is bold.

[@gailchancellor3144]

No. I enjoy psychological thrillers, but this was way too graphic and close to many dv survivors’ stories (obviously minus the billionaire and private island part) to be entertaining. At least many movies about dv or trauma actually speak on those topics to bring light to the issue(s) at hand during the tour or interviews. I haven’t seen this so far (maybe I missed something?) for this movie. The weirdly placed little “jokes” in this movie and the twist at the end did the opposite. It felt like they were making light of very real trauma real people go through. Any if you try to tell me people don’t actually have crazy shit like this happen to them, you’re absolutely wrong. I’ve never felt this reaction to a movie like this before. I understand fiction and am not easily bothered but his was a no for me. It would have helped if the trailers had shown more than what looked to be a just a regular ol’ psychological thriller. This was extremely graphic and I wish the trigger warning was included in the trailer and not right before the movie starts in the theater. 😑

[@VikingMatt879]

OOF, trigger cards in front of films now?

[@gailchancellor3144]

This one needed it. It looks like a run of the mill psych thriller from the trailers but absolutely was way more graphic and hits close to home for many dv survivors.

[@dollarsaurus01]

I just hope this movie has more to say than “Men are bad and you can’t trust any of them”. That isn’t exactly fresh or subversive commentary anymore, it’s predictable and easy

[@akxsharma]

It is def not and pretty fresh idea and ending

[@sandorx4]

"If Emerald Fennell made Glass Onion". That sounds really terrible. Most critics have trashed this one severely.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

It's at 78% on RT, not sure that's a severe trashing. Thanks for watching.

[@tlovehater]

🤔

[@sandorx4]

​@@BreakfastAllDay Everyone I trust and listen to did. People like Kermode loved it. 😁 I just saw the end of your review now. 8.6? I'm not sure I will watch it. Well, maybe it will make the Venice films look better.

[@Br0wnCh3]

This movie was to slow and not as … as I thought it’d be.

[@ZombieZifiction]

Get Out was about white supremacy? It actually wasn't about that at all, lol

[@sandorx4]

It wasn't about anything. It was garbage.

[@UrbanDecayLova247]

Get Out is about white supremacy and this is about patriarchy. What’s your point?

[@ZombieZifiction]

@@UrbanDecayLova247 it's not about white supremacy at all. Learn how to interpret movies accurately

[@ZombieZifiction]

this movie was truly awful by the way