Amazon MGM Studios has issued a trigger warning ahead of the release of “Blink Twice,” Zoë Kravitz’s directorial debut, which hits theaters on August 23.
“Trigger warning: We’re proud to finally share ‘Blink Twice’ with audiences in theaters around the world this week. ‘Blink Twice’ is a psychological thriller about abuse of power. Although this is a fictionalized film, it contains mature themes and depictions of violence – including sexual violence,” reads the message, posted on X. “This may be disturbing or triggering for some viewers. Visit BlinkTwiceResources.com for support resources.”
“Blink Twice” is rated R for “strong violent content, sexual assault, drug use and language, and some sexual references,” according to BlinkTwiceResources.com, which is on MGM’s website. The site offers information about the RAINN sexual assault hotline and the organization No More, adding: “The film explores themes of sexual violence, power dynamics and the complex experiences of sexual assault survivors. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, it is NOT your fault and you are NOT alone.”
Channing Tatum stars in “Blink Twice” as a mysterious billionaire tech mogul who invites a cocktail waitress, Frida (Naomi Ackie), and her friend Jess (Alia Shawkat) to vacation on his private island. As seen in the trailer, things start to go wrong when Jess disappears, and some of the other guests on the island start to become forgetful.
Aside from MPA ratings, which warn viewers of adult content such as language, violence and nudity, it’s rare for a studio to issue these types of trigger warnings prior to a film’s release. It’s especially surprising in the case of “Blink Twice,” a psychological thriller with arcane plot details that have been kept rather vague by Amazon’s marketing materials. (Although the studio dropped the original title, “Pussy Island.”)
Trigger warnings and other types of content advisories are a growing trend in movies and TV, as Hollywood tries to strike a balance between spoiling plot twists and helping viewers avoid trauma. In the years since Netflix’s “13 Reasons Why,” a growing number of series including “Baby Reindeer,” “Severance” and “Better Call Saul” have warned audiences about sensitive content, sometimes directing viewers to hotlines and other resources.
Variety chief film critic Owen Gleiberman gave “Blink Twice” a positive review, calling it “a post-#MeToo feminist party girl nightmare thriller made with an unusual sense of intimacy.”
