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Blink Twice

Farhad Dalal Founder
By-
Farhad Dalal
Rating
3.5 Star popcorn reviewss

Introduction

The one thing that films like Get Out, The Menu and Us have in common is the sinister theme that ties the narrative together. This theme usually veiled as a social commentary is integrated in the otherwise horror genre that not only adds a different dimension to the drama but also incorporates a sinister twist along the way. With Blink Twice, the new English film directed by Zoe Kravitz, we get another socially relevant issue veiled as a horror drama. And interestingly, the setup is eerily similar to all films of the genre – a bunch of characters unaware of their potential fate land up in a certain place only for the sinister plot to slowly kick in. So in each of these template films, the criteria that I usually look into is how well the social message is integrated in the overall scheme of things along with the layered weightage that the subject has to offer. And in that regard, Blink Twice could not have been timed better considering the disturbing news that has been reported across the country wherein even a protest is not enough to nail the perpetrators.

Story & Screenplay

There was a weird kind of satisfaction that I got while witnessing the third and final act of Blink Twice. And this was particularly true given how triggered I was at the time of a startling revelation that transpired at the end of the second act. All of this had an impact due to its playfully wicked premise that builtup skillfully over its first two acts. The start of the drama is such that you are almost instantly engulfed in a sheet of mystery even with the introductionnof the protagonist who is in awe of the tech billionaire mogul, the latter who is shown to be apologizing for reasons best known to him. The ability of the writing to hide a few details with integrating a frivolous and playful tone was infact a stark contrast to the payoff at the end which took the drama in a completely different direction. Yet, the writers do well in keeping the levels of escalating tension and intrigue intact through the course of its screenplay standing at a shade above 100 minutes that accounts for a taut narrative for most parts of the runtime.

The drama acts as a slow poison here that demands patience in a narratively style that unfolds in a rather unhasty manner to begin with. The playful undertones take centerstage even as the drama shifts to a more mysterious setting – something that prepares the viewers for the inevitable while hoodwinking them (and the characters) with a frivolous theme. I think one area where the drama could have improved a bit was right during this phase of the build. While there were hints integrated during this phase, I did have a little issue with the staging and setup that almost felt diluted. The idea was to keep the viewers a step ahead of the proceedings while creating a smokescreen in front of them, but I wasn’t fully convinced if that was achieved here.

Nevertheless, the proceedings are intriguing given that symbolisms that are expertly utilized here (and also throughout the narrative). The symbolisms comprise of a venomous snake, an indiginous flower, a red bag and a handful of scars that no one has any memory of, all of which add up to create a terrifying picture by the end of the second act. The drama does unfold in the form of contrasts here with respect to its theme and the characters each, before switching sides. So what seemed like a pleasant drama filled with an evening of intimacy soon turns into something far more horrific even as the details are revealed in a rather layered manner. In fact at every step, you see the protagonist questioning her sanity or alternately those around her following an incident involving her friend that goes missing. And this is the watershed moment in the drama that kicks in the socially revelant issue by backing it with stains of blood!

The pace of the drama drastically changes in the final act even as the characters switch sides, and with the hunters becoming the hunted. The fight back is gory and violent but also immensely satisfying even as the pile of bodies begin to stack up. Perhaps another area of improvement in the writing could have been in fleshing out the final act by slowing things down and making it a little layered with a counter-punch here and there. But I was looking at it from a poetic justice point of view despite having simplistic undertones, the sheer joy of revenge been serves in the form of gunshots and bludgeons was poetry to my ears (no I am not a sadistic person but more on the lines of the events that had transpired before it which has triggered me while leaving me fuming). The sinister twist at the end was excellent thereby summing up the screenplay that was quite well written and made for an infuriating but a satisfyng watch at the end.

Dialogues, Music & Direction

The dialogues are conversational but go superbly well with the tone and the theme of the drama. The BGM is sparingly used allowing more of the drama to unfold in its raw form while also using the virtue of silence really well. The cinematography is excellent comprising of frames which coupled with the lighting makes for a deliciously sinister ambience that has mystery spelt all over it. The editing is brilliant too intercutting the events of the past and the present without dwelling into a lot of the details that was enough to account for multiple trigger moments in the second act. The editing is crisp and sharp while definitely leaving a mark as one of the strongest technical aspects of the drama. Director Zoe Kravitz does make an impressive debut as a director wherein she does score immensely with the world building. And this subject did need a female gaze such that it wasn’t exploited beyond a point onscreen while underlying the problematic influence that it contributes in the society. And in that regard, Zoe does a terrific job in not only highlighting the same but also presenting it in a sinister manner even with regard to the justice element of the drama. The direction is superb here.

Performances

The performances are excellent by the ensemble cast. Alia Shawkat as Jess, Geena Davis as Stacy, Trew Mullen as Heather and Liz Caribel Sierra as Camilla are excellent and both have their moments to shine. Simon Rex as Cody, Christian Slater as Vic, Haley Joel Osment as Tom and Levon Hawke as Lucas are dependable and all of them manage to impress. Adria Arjona as Sarah is brilliant particularly in scenes of combat wherein she does bring some much needed urgency to the proceedings. Channing Tatum as Slater is phenomenal in a character that doesn’t really have much redemption and is evil to the core. He does infuriate you with his antics at various junctures in the drama even while putting up a farce that is symbolic of most men that you may see around. His suave attitude only added fuel to my anger which meant that he was brilliant to the core here. Naomi Ackie as Frida is brilliant here in a character that had so many emotions to dabble with. And she is brilliant in the transition of these emotions too that seemed quite seamless. She has a stunning screen presence too wherein she commands your attention even while coaxing the viewers to invest in her journey, something that has a massive payoff at the end.

Conclusion

Blink Twice is a socially relevant horror-stained commentary with solid performances that makes for a wonderful watch.

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