Blink Twice is cast with an all-star list of talent with Naomie Ackie as Frida, Channing Tatum as Slater, Alia Shawkat as Jess, Christian Slater as Vic, Simon Rex as Cody, Adria Arjona as Sarah, Haley Joel Osment as Tom, Geena Davis as Stacy and Kyle MacLachlan as Rich.
Directed by Zoe Kravitz, I felt the party was heated with many lines that keep the twists of the island party hopping. Blink Twice is unique in its style. There is the setting of paradise where people are encouraged to cut loose and be free. There is a penalty with that freedom though. It is one of those films where it is set to have a catastrophic episode on a nightly basis… its continuity keeps its momentum steady.
In the film, Frida and Jess are two close friends who live together. They find themselves working a catering job that keeps them in the dumps. Frida is praying for an escape to have a therapeutic break from all the mental aggravations in her life. She is obsessed with Slater. This is because he is an icon of wealth. As luck would have it, Frida and Jesse are invited on a getaway to his private island, a place with no technology and a lot of weird natural resources. The trip also includes a group of people displaying some bizarre behaviors. The dismissal of technology on the island creates a strong attention to the reality of the circumstances and situations presented. Is it truly what Frida and Jesse think the adventure is though?
The film finds its points of being questionable though when moments of drug use kick in. This is where the behaviors of many of the guests begin to have a form of confusion, especially with Tom and Vic. They are weird ones. Other questionable characters include Stacy and Rich who throw in some odd dynamics. There remains an aspect of wondering what the truth really is in Blink Twice. All around there is a threat of danger. Slater may be wealthy, but what is he hiding? The depths of the getaway going downhill is where my mind kept finding its thrills. “Thrills” to the extent that all actions have consequences, and that despite how funny or serious the setting—there will be an outcome one way or the other.
Tatum is the party host who has that laid-back attitude, and he is also very welcoming. Does he know how truly crazy he is though? Does he know the dangers of the Island? Is everyone so drugged up on so many substances that they are totally oblivious to danger? This is a trail ride of questions where Blink Twice brings on buckets of sweat as the anxiety heightens. The party does not stop. No matter how dangerous or out of hand it gets.
A throbbing whirlwind of exhilaration, the party does not stop until the authorities get involved. How can the authorities make it on the Island when it is so remote with no technology? The island creates its own outcome with irresistible and psychological suspense. It is a comical party which keeps moving in a detrimental direction. The range of the problems presented here leave questions with multiple choice answers. Is the island the risk? Is the host the risk? Are the guests the risk? Find out in Blink Twice.
Three out of four stars.
