I had no idea what to expect Flash twice on the way to the cinema. Much of the discussion surrounding Zoë Kravitz’s directorial debut revolved around the original title of the film Pussy Island (she changed it after some women pointed out that they were offended) and that she met her boyfriend Channing Tatum after sending him the script. Flash twice Trailer shows the audience an island setting full of money and violent pleasures. That would have been enough to convince me, but the film is an even bigger surprise.
Flash twice
Release date: 23 August 2024
Led by: Zoe Kravitz
Written by: ET Feigenbaum and Zoë Kravitz
With: Naomie Ackie, Channing Tatum, Adria Arjona, Alia Shawkat, Geena Davis, Haley Joel Osment, Christian Slater
Evaluation: R for strong violent content, sexual assault, drug use and language throughout, and some sexual references
Duration: 102 minutes
I expected Flash twice to be a thriller with violence, gore, and some over-the-top scary moments, and it delivers, but what I didn’t know about the film was how much it would be bursting with energy from the lead actresses. The word “badass” is often overused – and don’t worry, I’m not going to heap full girl power on anyone here, and Kravitz isn’t either – but she deftly explains how women who don’t have much in common can band together to just get something done. It’s an extremely engaging tone, but it’s also fun.
We meet Jess (Alia Shawkat) and Frida (Naomie Ackie) as two women still floating through life in a way that was probably fine in their twenties, but is decidedly less exciting in their thirties. Frida can’t decide who she wants to be in life, and Jess seems to keep floating in and out of bad relationship situations. Both work as caterers with limited income while dealing with their problems. One day, her catering experience leads her to an event hosted by billionaire Slater (Channing Tatum), who seems to know a lot of people.
They don’t need to explain how Frida and Jess get from point A to point B, where they share a private island with a billionaire. Their ready-for-anything attitude helps. What follows is a fever dream of good food, days by the pool, drugs, chickens, gunshots, adventure, love, hate, lip gloss, night runs, snakes, and finally a mysterious disappearance that makes the 102 minutes fly by.
“Blink Twice” is definitely a debut for director Zoë Kravitz, but that’s not a bad thing.
As already mentioned, Flash twice is Zoë Kravitz’s directorial debut and some of the ideas and even certain shots in the film may seem familiar to audiences. She doesn’t reinvent the wheel of modern filmmaking and some may find the way the story unfolds a little simplistic based on what we see in the trailer.
For some who want to see a pure horror film, a better comparison for Flash twice would be the dark but funny Promising young women instead of 2023 Talk to me. If one finds the film enjoyable, it’s more due to the pacing and the deft way Kravitz breaks up surprising situations with ease. She keeps things from getting out of balance and lets the audience learn new information in a way that holds our attention even when the characters in the film don’t.
Plus, the film is beautifully shot and beautiful to look at – as you would expect from an island inhabited by bright, happy people who also happen to have access to billions of dollars.
Channing Tatum and Naomie Ackie are prominent figures in the cast of Blink Twice.
There is solid acting work in Flash twice – including a surprise appearance by Geena Davis. Two of my favorite former leading ladies have now worked their way up to character roles and I was pretty confident they would deliver something unforgettable: Mr. RobotChristian Slater and The boys‘ Haley Joel Osment. (Or, if you prefer, Robin Hood – Prince of Thieves/True Romance Slater and The sixth sense‘s Osment.) They do their own thing, eating their way through scenes that somehow appear out of nowhere halfway through the film.
But this is Channing Tatum and Naomie Ackie’s film, and they don’t waste any blissful or crazy moments. They enjoy the scenes and sink their teeth into them. I’m not sure they mind if you like their film, because they just seem to be there to make the most of the material. It’s not the best Hollywood film for Ackie, but Tatum gets a chance to do something different here – (twice in one year, if we’re counting). this Gambit accent), and for the most part he succeeds.
We will be talking about the film’s twists all year long
Without giving away the ending, suffice it to say that nothing happens in Flash twice is exactly as it seems. Zoë Kravitz’s keen eye sprinkles details throughout that, in hindsight, have special meaning. It’s all cleverly done, and leads to more than one twist that plays out before the credits roll. The biggest of these surprises is more predictable, but some of the smaller things that begin to reveal themselves in the third act will keep you hooked.
Just to give you an idea of the mood I really felt, when I came out of the theater I actually thought to myself, “This is my favorite movie of the year.” Is it ultimately the best movie I’ve seen so far this year? No, and I think that’s an important distinction – but no one who grabs some popcorn and squeezes their butt into a theater seat this month is going to be disappointed. Kravitz should be proud of this first directorial effort, and I’m so excited for what’s next. After the tumult of the cancellation of High fidelityit’s cool to see her evolve in a way that gives her control and feels sustainable long-term.
In summary, Flash twice eaten. Go and see it.
