'Blink Twice,' a psychological thriller helmed by Zoë Kravitz in her directorial debut, boldly alerts movie enthusiasts of its intricate narrative laden with mature themes and graphic portrayals of violence, including sexual assault. Prior to its theatrical release on August 23, Amazon MGM Studios issued a poignant trigger warning across the film's official social media platforms, emphasizing its commitment to transparency.
On August 21, a thoughtful message was disseminated, announcing the eagerly awaited premiere: "We are thrilled to finally unveil 'Blink Twice' to audiences worldwide, inviting them to embark on a cinematic journey this week." The post delicately delved into the film's essence, stating, "'Blink Twice' delves into the disturbing realm of power abuse, weaving a fictional tale that, despite its imaginative fabric, carries weighty themes and vivid depictions of violence, sexual violence included. This may evoke distress or trigger responses among certain viewers. For support and resources, please visit BlinkTwiceResources.com."
This proactive approach follows the release of 'It Ends With Us,' which, while tackling the issue of domestic violence, faced criticism for not adequately forewarning audiences of its content's gravity. The film, starring Blake Lively and directed by her costar Justin Baldoni, included a message in its closing credits, directing viewers to www.nomore.org for assistance, yet some felt the warning came too late.
Bridgette Stumpf, the visionary behind Network for Victim Recovery of DC (NVRDC), vocalized her concerns in a poignant essay for The Hollywood Reporter, criticizing 'It Ends With Us' for "ultimately failing the survivors it purports to support" by downplaying domestic violence in its marketing and omitting content warnings at the onset. She reminisced, "Sitting in a packed theater on opening night, our initial reaction was disappointment at the absence of immediate resources for survivors as the credits rolled. The end credits message, though present, arrived after many had already departed."
Lively, 36, addressed the film's themes head-on during the London premiere, emphasizing Lily Bloom's resilience beyond her victimhood. "The film explores domestic violence, but Lily Bloom isn't merely a survivor or victim; those are facets of her story, not her identity," she told the BBC. "She defines herself, a testament to the empowering message that no one can dictate your worth or define you—you do."
Lively further echoed this sentiment on Instagram, sharing vital resources for domestic violence survivors, underscoring, "Everyone deserves relationships free from harm. The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers round-the-clock confidential support."
Rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association (MPA) for its depiction of domestic violence, sexual content, and strong language, 'It Ends With Us' is currently playing in theaters. Meanwhile, 'Blink Twice,' rated R by the MPA for its intense violent scenes, sexual assault, drug use, explicit language, and sexual references, promises a chilling tale of intrigue as cocktail waitress Frida navigates the treacherous waters of tech billionaire Slater King's private island, where nothing is as it seems and survival hinges on uncovering the truth.
