Channing Tatum, Naomi Ackie, Christian Slater, and more star in this thriller.

Who hasn’t fantasized about escaping the daily grind to a luxurious, exotic island filled with beautiful people and endless indulgence? For Blink Twice‘s heroine, Frida (played by Naomi Ackie from I Wanna Dance With Somebody), this fantasy becomes a reality when she’s offered a private plane ride to an exclusive island by the charming tech billionaire Slater King (Channing Tatum). But beneath the surface of this paradise of wealth and privilege, something sinister lurks in plain sight.

In her directorial debut, actress-turned-co-writer Zoë Kravitz assembles a star-studded cast featuring Alia Shawkat, Christian Slater, Adria Arjona, Simon Rex, Haley Joel Osment, Geena Davis, and Kyle MacLachlan. Together, they deliver a twisted thriller that explores power, betrayal, and desire, guaranteed to leave audiences shaken and smiling with a crooked grin.

Blink Twice is wickedly well-cast.

From the trailer alone, female viewers might raise an eyebrow at Frida’s quick decision to jet off to Slater’s private island without a second thought, especially when she hands over her phone to his overly cheerful assistant (played by Geena Davis). However, the script by Kravitz and E.T. Feigenbaum cleverly offers subtle reassurances. For one, Frida’s best friend Jess (Alia Shawkat) is coming along. Plus, there are other women already on the island, like astrology-loving app developer Camilla (Liz Caribel), chess-playing pothead Heather (Trew Mullen), and reality TV star Sarah (Adria Arjona) from Survivor Babes. It’s not just the presence of these women that makes Frida feel comfortable about following a billionaire to a remote location. These women exude an irresistible confidence and fun-loving spirit that’s contagious.

So, when the story shifts from sublime to surreal, it’s tough to confidently claim we’d make better choices. After all, who could resist the charm of these men? Kravitz brings in Channing Tatum, Christian Slater, Simon Rex, and Haley Joel Osment—actors who’ve all been heartthrobs, sex symbols, and dream guys. It’s easy to see why someone might say yes to this fantasy of fame, fortune, and rich, attractive men. Yet, Kravitz’s female characters are sharp enough to question their decisions as the island’s glamorous and fun facade starts to crumble.

When Jess goes missing, Frida is horrified to realize that no one else seems to remember her ever being there. But how could anyone forget her fiery, freckled friend—the kind who always has a lighter when you need one? As Frida’s suspicions grow, her search for answers pulls her into unexpected alliances, dark conspiracies, and devastating revelations

Kravitz smartly gives her thriller space to breathe.

The premise of a private island that’s not actually paradise might sound cliched, but Kravitz and Feigenbaum give their story time to develop and envelop. A grubby bathroom scene in Frida and Jess’s apartment swiftly establishes their shared intimacy and humble circumstances. The gala, where they strategically swap their cater-waiter uniforms for slinking cocktail dresses to sneak in among the affluent guests, is explored from the crowded kitchens to the swanky ballroom. However, it’s on the island itself where Kravitz wisely takes her time, developing the heady routine of pleasure-chasing, which involves an endless supply of drugs, booze, cuisine, and bright, white attire for every occasion. 

Sure, Jess will joke that the female guests all being provided the same white bathing suits, the same white dinner dresses, and the same accessories seems “cultish.” But it’s a detail easy to forget in the haze of pot smoke and budding romance. Frida’s keen to spend every moment she can with Slater, and Tatum is a master of playing the romantic lead. His warm smile, concentrated stare, and soft, husky voice is a smooth seduction. And all this sultriness and sumptuousness invites us to live vicariously through Frida, with Ackie’s wide eyes and enchanted smile reflecting our own. This cozy setup makes the jagged punctures of this dream world hit all the harder, because you might even forget you’re not watching a romance but a thriller.

Kravitz crafts a crackling and satisfying thriller. 

I don’t need to share spoilers to celebrate Blink Twice‘s second half. Simply put, Ackie handles the turn from besotted to terrified with a visceral aplomb. Tatum makes a surprisingly sensational villain, while the rest of the supporting cast bursts with energy, whether playing malicious or manic. Christian Slater in particular seems to relish the chance to sink his teeth into Kravitz’s juicy revelations, practically spitting through an unnerving smile. 

Elsewhere, Rex (who earned critical acclaim for 2021’s Red Rocket) and Haley Joel Osment are happy to play a pair of fools, while Caribel and Mullen dazzle with brat summer charm. Arjona proves a standout though, shifting from Frida’s romantic rival to something far less archetypal and far more complex — and even surprisingly funny. 

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