"What happens on the Island stays on the Island." Billionaire Slater King (Channing Tatum; White House Down) ensures that. No telephones, no outside people, and no talking about the Island. But how does he provide his privacy? That is the real question to try and answer.
It has been said that Jeffrey Epstein brought the rich and influential to his private island for fun and relaxation, but only a select few knew what truly went on there. Based on that description, is the character of Slater fashioned after the deceased professional manipulator? And how much of Zoë Kravitz's (The Batman) directorial debut Blink Twice is based on real life?
Frida (Naomi Ackie; Whitney Houston: I Want To Dance With Somebody) watches YouTube and TikTok videos of Slater. One might even say she is obsessed with the man. So when she and her best friend, Jess (Alia Shawkat; Arrested Development), sneak into a party he is attending, she is starstruck when he speaks to her. Suddenly, Frida and Jess find themselves on a plane to his private island and, once there, everything seems perfect. However, after drinking some snake poison, she suddenly realizes things are far from perfect but must continue to pretend they are to stay alive.
Tatum turns in one of his better performances as Slater, a bad boy, and wealthy entrepreneur who, after getting into some legal trouble, lives a very reclusive life, untouched by most, except for his inner circle. Ackie matches Tatum at every turn and turns in a strong performance similar to her portrayal of singer Whitney Houston. Supporting cast members Geena Davis (A League of Their Own), Christian Slater (Broken Arrow), Simon Rex (Scary Movie V), Adria Arjona (Morbius), Shawkat, Haley Joel Osment (The Sixth Sense), Liz Caribel (God's Time), Levon Hawke (The Crowded Room), newcomer Trew Mullen, and Kyle MacLachlan (Blue Velvet) make a wonderful ensemble which is part of what makes the movie work well.
Kravitz co-wrote the script and directed it, and she does both beautifully. While one has to wonder if the story was influenced by what she was exposed to as a young woman as part of the Hollywood elite or if there is some truth hidden in the script from the tales of Epstein's escapades, she traverses the material as an expert. There is enough tension and mystery to keep the audience engaged with the story, and she balances close-ups and wide shots equally and with purpose. She pulls out performances from her actors that only a very good actor/director could manage. Though some of the wide shots seem a little blurry at times, the overall aesthetic is compelling.
The location shoot in Mexico lends itself to both the opulent lifestyle and the secluded creepiness feel of a horror movie. The soundtrack is also an asset with a mix of modern and older tunes that set the tone of the scenes well and create a certain "vibe," whether it is a sinister or partying mood. The story has elements of movies we have seen before while feeling fresh and different all at the same time.
For her first feature film, Kravitz did a great job choosing all the elements. From the story to the location to the actors, she picked well, and the end product reflects those decisions. Whether or not the movie has any direct correlations to current events remains to be seen, but as a suspense/thriller, it has the tension and intensity one would hope it should have. It will be interesting to see what she does for her next project and if, like Bradley Cooper, lightning will strike twice with her sophomore effort. After seeing Blink Twice (which is better than the original title - Pussy Island but still is not a great one), I, for one, will be eagerly waiting.
Grade: B+
