Introduction to Blink Twice
Zoë Kravitz’s debut as a director, Blink Twice, stands out as a compelling psychological thriller intertwined with themes of vengeance, societal critique, and the abuse of power. Kravitz began crafting this screenplay alongside co-writer E.T. Fegenbaum in 2017, initially under the working title Pussy Island. This period coincided with the burgeoning #MeToo movement, which exposed widespread misconduct within Hollywood and beyond. Kravitz’s unique perspective, shaped by her upbringing in the entertainment industry and her keen understanding of power dynamics, lends a distinctive voice to this film. Unlike exploitative horror films that indulge in gratuitous violence, Blink Twice employs violence as a form of catharsis and empowerment, culminating in an ending that challenges conventional stereotypes about justice and retribution.
Plot Summary and Key Events
The story follows Frida (Naomi Ackie), a talented nail artist, and Jess (Alia Shawkat), an aspiring actress, who land a catering gig at a high-profile fundraiser for billionaire Slater King (Channing Tatum). In the initial scenes, Slater appears remorseful, publicly acknowledging past misconduct, stepping down from his role as CEO, and seeking therapy, which sets a tone of ambiguity regarding his true intentions.
During the event, Frida and Jess don matching costumes—red and blue, a possible homage to The Matrix—and mingle with an elite crowd of influential guests. Slater, charismatic and alluring, invites both women to join him on his private island, a decision that plunges them into an environment of decadence, drugs, and excess. The island hosts a select group of powerful men and women, including familiar figures like Haley Joel Osment, Christian Slater, Simon Rex, Geena Davis, and Kyle MacLachlan, all implicated in the abuse of their authority.
On the island, victims are subjected to mind-altering perfume that erases their memories, enabling their predators to commit sexual assault and violence undetected. Jess’s playful skepticism towards the cult-like atmosphere turns tragic when she is bitten by a snake and disappears. Frida, along with fellow guest Sarah (Adria Arjona), begins to suspect the sinister reality behind their surroundings. They encounter a groundskeeper who is seen slaughtering snakes and refers to Frida as the “red rabbit,” hinting at her recurring trauma.
Armed with a mysterious antidote—snake venom that also restores memories—Frida and Sarah work covertly to remember their ordeals and plan their escape. Their investigations reveal that Frida has been assaulted on this island before, evidenced by visual clues like a Polaroid of herself with different nails and a scar on her eye. The realization fuels her desire for vengeance.
The Revenge and Its Consequences
As memories resurface, chaos ensues. The women turn on their abusers, enacting brutal revenge—violently slaughtering those who exploited them. These scenes depict a powerful, visceral catharsis, where the oppressed reclaim their agency, even if it results in their own demise. Stacy, Slater’s assistant, reveals her reluctance to confront her trauma but ultimately attacks Frida. Frida and Sarah then escape, killing the remaining predators, including Slater, who is depicted suffocating a woman named Camilla, symbolically representing patriarchal dominance.
The final assault leads to a climactic showdown in Slater’s residence, set to Beyoncé’s “I’m That Girl,” emphasizing themes of female empowerment and resilience. The narrative underscores the brutal reality that justice is often elusive for victims, and many predators face little consequence for their actions.
Frida’s Act of Justice and the Unsettling Ending
In the film’s concluding moments, Frida chooses a radical path: instead of alerting authorities, she takes justice into her own hands. After discovering the truth and destroying evidence, she replaces Slater’s vape fluid with perfume, erasing his memory and sealing his ignorance of his crimes. The final twist reveals that Frida has assumed a new identity—married to Slater, now the CEO of his company, King Tech. She is fully aware of his corrupt deeds and the ongoing abuse within his empire.
This ending subverts traditional notions of redemption and retribution. It critiques the superficiality of apologies and the inadequate justice often meted out to powerful offenders. Kravitz’s ending suggests that true justice may require radical, even violent, measures—highlighting that systemic change is difficult and that victims often have little choice but to enact their own form of retribution.
Conclusion
Blink Twice challenges viewers to reconsider the narratives surrounding justice, power, and victimhood. Its provocative ending underscores the harsh reality that many women face—disbelieved, silenced, and left without recourse. Kravitz’s film elevates the revenge genre by turning it into a statement on societal failure and the resilience of those who refuse to be silenced. As a groundbreaking entry in the Good For Her canon, it leaves a lasting impression about the complexities of justice and the power of women to reclaim their stories—however brutal that process may be.