Blink Twice

What’s it about?

While waitressing at a fundraising gala, Frida and Jess receive an unexpected invitation from tech billionaire Slater King to join him and his elite circle on his private island. As they sink into a world of luxury, fine-dining, and extravagant parties, their dream vacation takes a dark turn when Jess disappears, and buried secrets begin to surface.

The facts

• Zoë Kravitz’ directorial debut
• Stars Channing Tatum (Fly Me to the Moon), Naomi Ackie (Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody), Adria Arjona (Hit Man)
• English language
• Runtime: 102 minutes

Why did it get this rating?

This film was classified by Te Mana Whakaatu, Classification Office. You can find out more about classification process and ratings here.

Bloody violence:

Violence in this film is detailed, with a lot of blood shown and realistic sound effects heard. It is strongest during a lengthy fight scene which contains a number of deaths and injuries.

A few of the more gruesome moments include:

• Multiple characters are beaten to death with weapons or objects
• Multiple characters die after being shot
• Multiple characters are stabbed using weapons or objects
• A character’s finger is bitten off
• A character is pushed into a mirror and hits their head

Rape and cruelty

At a certain point in the film it becomes clear that several women and one man are being violently raped each night after being drugged with a substance that wipes their memory.

During a flashback scene, you see a woman being raped by a man from behind while restrained. The camera then pans across several women and one man who are tied up, gagged, and visibly distressed while being raped or assaulted by men. While the shot is brief, it is extremely intense and could upset viewers, especially if they have or know someone who has experienced sexual violence.

There are a few more flashback scenes of women tied up and in a distressed state. Although it is not shown it is obvious that these characters are going to be sexually assaulted or raped.

Drug use

Drug use is frequent and often glamourised as being a part of life for the rich and famous. Characters are shown ingesting and feeling the effects of substances including MDMA, magic mushrooms, marijuana and alcohol.

Marijuana is used and talked about most frequently in the film. One character nicknamed the “fat blunt queen” smokes almost every time she is on screen.

Offensive language

Words like “f*ck”, “mother*cker”, “sh*t” and “b*tch” are used. The tone of the offensive language used varied between friendly and aggressive/threatening.

Youth Advisory Panel comments

Two members of our Youth Advisory Panel (YAP) attended this film with staff members from Te Mana Whakaatu. They thought that the drug use was glamourised, and that scenes involving rape and bloody violence were particularly hard-hitting.

They said it was disturbing when the girls started to remember the sexual violence that was happening to them, and that it could be triggering for anyone who has experienced date rape drugs. They shared that the rape scenes will stay with them even though you don’t see much.

The YAP members found that the violence was enhanced by sound effects, and said that even though the results of beatings/killings were shown, shots of the actual violence were brief which minimised the effect the scenes had on them.

Helplines:

The sexual violence and rape scenes could understandably be upsetting for some viewers, especially for those who have gone through similar experiences. If you are struggling with what you have seen on-screen please reach out for help. If you or someone you know needs to talk:

• 1737
• Safe to talk
• Lifeline
• Youthline

Further information

• Why are ratings and content warnings important for me and my whānau?