Movie Review | ‘Blink Twice’ – One of the year’s best

It started out simply enough. Two women, down on their luck with bills to pay and barely scraping by, find themselves in the presence of billionaires and others in high society. With a pair of cocktail dresses and a dream, they managed to snag an invitation to the private island of Channing Tatum’s Slater King. The mission was accomplished, but after a few days, it seems it ought not have been one that they chose to accept.

They think, “What could go wrong?” The answer: quite a lot. Drawing on stories of power abuse, Blink Twice tells a tale of just that. A vacation of a lifetime is spent among affluent strangers, each exuding an energy that’s at best out of touch and at worst, downright exploitative. There’s a sense of entitlement among their travel companions long before any wrongdoing is revealed.

When the wrongdoing comes to light, it’s uncomfortable to watch. The film is accompanied by a trigger warning for sexual assault, leaving little mystery as to what viewers can expect. In its depiction of violence, the film shows just enough to be explicit without veering into gratuity. It’s as tastefully done as a depiction of such a distasteful act can be.

Before things take a harrowing turn, Blink Twice is a veritable feast for the senses. In the film’s honeymoon phase, the protagonists experience what feels like the world’s greatest, never-ending vacation. The sun shines brightly, and the vivid, picturesque island is portrayed as a glorious Garden of Eden. But slowly and surely, the film shifts in tone, introducing horror imagery that mirrors the story’s dark turn. The build-up to the film’s reveal is well-paced, creating tension without dragging its feet.

The film becomes gripping as things go awry, thanks in large part to the performances. The lead actresses convey euphoria, dread, and concealed terror with great effect. The display of evil carried out by people with influence gives its underprivileged underdogs a relatable enemy. The film’s message of the importance of solidarity among women is brought across as the mystery unravels. The characters provide empathy for one another, leading to surprising moments of humour in a horrific story.

Everything in Blink Twice serves the story it’s telling, and it’s one that isn’t very easy to tell. It doesn’t water down its subject matter, delivering a hard to watch film that’s relentlessly entertaining. There’s plenty of time left in 2024, but Blink Twice just may be one of the year’s best.

Rating: Big Screen Watch

Damian Levy is a film critic and podcaster for Damian Michael Movies.

entertainment@gleanerjm.com