What is Zoe Kravitz’ directorial debut, Blink Twice fka Pussy Island, about? If you’re an average moviegoer who hasn’t read much about it, it’s kind of hard to fully understand.
Sure, most people have probably picked up on the fact, repeated ad nauseam in stories, that it was during the making of this film that Kravitz met and fell in love with her now-fiance Channing Tatum. In her press tour for the movie, Kravitz has also made headlines for discussing the possibility of Big Little Lies season three, her dad Lenny Kravitz’ tiny cameo in the film, and a flirty interview between Kravitz and Tatum that has people believing in love again. The film, which came out on Friday, is being marketed as a psychological thriller, and some are calling it a “Me Too” version of Get Out.
Some moviegoers, though, were shocked when they sat down to watch the film this weekend, despite the fact that theaters are playing a trigger warning before screening it. They posted about their experiences over the weekend.
“Major PSA about the movie Blink Twice,” wrote one woman on TikTok. “…It’s very, very graphic and triggering. I wish I never saw it.”
It’s true. Blink Twice is extremely sexually graphic. I saw it at a press screening a few months ago, and to be honest, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. Especially one scene, which shows a level of detailed sexual violence that was a true gut punch.
This isn’t to say that the film is gratuitous. It’s not a perfect movie, but I thought it was thought-provoking and effective. I was moved by the film’s overall message about wealth, the patriarchy, and how proximity to power corrupts, and I have been eagerly awaiting the thoughtful, nuanced reviews discussing what Kravitz was trying to show us. Like isn’t it horrifying how brazen rich men can be in using women as commodities? What does it mean to truly atone for sexual violence? And how do women take back their power in a patriarchal world?
I’ve been disappointed. While many reviewers and online discussion about the film have delved into its themes, and Kravitz and star Naomi Ackie have given interviews in which they discuss its inspiration, most of the coverage of the film has been standard tabloid fare about Kravitz’ proximity to famous men, her styling, and, of course, that Taylor Swift, a friend of the couple, endorsed the film.
Channing Tatum with director Zoe Kravitz, on set for Blink Twice.©MGM/Courtesy Everett Collection
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