Blink Twice ★★½
THE debut directorial effort from American actress Zoë Kravitz has attracted a lot of critical praise.
Which is odd because Blink Twice gets more and more ludicrous in its execution as the film progresses.
It’s a psychological thriller that starts with a lot of promise but is ultimately let down by parts of the two key elements of every film – script and performances.
Channing Tatum plays Slater King, a billionaire tech company CEO who starts the film apologising for unspecified past behaviour that caused him to step down.
A period of time has passed and King is back, attending an exclusive event at a city location at which waitress Frida, played by Naomi Ackie, and her friend Jess (Alia Shakwat) are working.
Frida is obsessed with meeting King and not only gets her wish but makes such an impression that he invites the pair to a weekend party on his private island.
They barely have time to pack before being whisked away by jet to the secluded location where King’s close circle of employees and confidants are already waiting.
This supporting cast includes Geena Davis as King’s personal assistant, Kyle MacLachlan as his business manager, Christian Slater as a photographer, Simon Rex as a chef and Haley Joel Osment as a DJ. There are also several other female guests attending, who seem to know each other, as well as King’s private security.
Stacy confiscates their phones. In attendance are Slater’s friends and business partners, photographer Vic, private chef Cody, DJ Tom, and graduate Lucas, as well as three female guests: reality show star Sarah, aspiring app developer Camilla, and stoner Heather. The women are treated with lavish rooms, gift bags of perfume, and a holiday experience, enhanced by high-end meals and cocktails prepared by Cody, and potent hallucinogenic drugs.
Jess notices memory lapses. All of the local workers sport the same snake tattoo, and Frida has strange encounters with a maid, who seems to recognize her and calls her “Red Rabbit”.Christian Slater as Vic
During a night of partying and drugs, Jess is bitten by a snake and later tells Frida she wants to leave. At breakfast, Frida notices that Lucas smells like the women’s perfume. While the men are away fishing, Frida discovers a room with dozens of identical red gift bags.
Frida is tricked into drinking snake venom by the maid and begins remembering strange events. She realizes that Jess is missing, although none of the other women remember her at all. Alarmed, Frida investigates and learns a flower indigenous to the island capable of wiping memories has been inside their food and perfume. She convinces Sarah of what is happening and gets her to drink the venom, an antidote to the flower’s effects.
Watched at the cinema.