Blink Twice’s divisive final scene isn’t unsatisfying, it fits Zoë Kravitz’s movie perfectly

Spoilers ahead for Blink Twice’s ending.

After seeing Blink twiceThe audience was a little torn about the final scene of the film – but the writer-director Zoe Kravitz has already clarified how the somewhat detailed ending fits perfectly to her movie. Kravitz’s directorial debut was not originally titled Blink twice. Instead, it was a more provocatively titled project that emphasized the film’s dark third-act reveal. Much like Slater King (Channing Tatum), the billionaire in Blink twices center, the movie boasts a glossy facade, but, at its heart, Blink twice Is Promising young woman Meets Get out – with a hole Spring breakers Thrown in for good measure.

Frida (Naomi Aki), a cocktail waitress and aspiring nail artist, and her best friend, Jess (Alia Shawkat), have a chance encounter with Slater and his powerful entourage. Soon enough, the two women join the rest of Blink twiceSlater’s cast of characters on Slater’s private island. Filled with flows of seemingly endless champagne and drugs of unknown origins, the female guests seem to be having a great time, until Frida and Sarah (Adria Arjona) realize that something is off. Blink twices end reveals that Slater and his male friends abuse and assault the women nightly before erasing their memories – and avoid responsibility.

Why the last scene of Blink Twice was criticized for being unsatisfying

Frida’s final decision did not sit well with some viewers

Not unlike Emerald Fennell’s directorial debut, Promising young woman, Blink twice Turned into a story about women who take revenge for the abuse they went through In the hands of strong, unrepentant people. However, Zoë Kravitz’s clever psychological thriller is truly unforgettable, in part because of its unique approach to the subject and the themes it interrogates. Over the film’s runtime, Blink twice drops hints about its dark twist, from foreshadowing Slater’s violent side to suggesting that Frida has, in fact, been to the island before. Finally, Frida learns that Blink twices memory-erasing perfume is counteracted by snake venom.

Freshly armed with her memories, Frieda realizes that she is a survivor of Slater’s abuse. Not only was Frida assaulted by him on a nightly basis during the events of the film, but she was taken to his island the year before. The perfume she and the other women used was actually made from the island’s flowers, which contain some memory-erasing substance. The women’s realizations culminate in a complete bloodbath during which Frida laces Slater’s favorite vape with perfume. Instead of killing Slater, Frida chooses to use his power against him.

Slater, who repressed his childhood trauma, believes that “Forgetting is a gift” and thinks that the flower-based perfume can help people seal away their trauma. However, he abuses his power by using the memory-erasing substance on the women he assaults. In other movies, Frida could have left Slater in his burning mansion Or sought justice in some more legal, moral way. Frida decides to benefit from the same abusive systems of power that oppressed and hurt her by controlling Slater. It’s not the conventional Hollywood ending viewers expect, but it works with the film’s approach.

Blink Twice’s final scene perfectly reflects what the movie is really about

Zoë Kravitz’s film is about power – not empowerment

Although the end of Blink twice May not feel satisfying for some viewers, it perfectly reflects what the movie is about: power – and the abuse of it. Frida is a survivor of abuse, but her treatment of Slater in the final scene reiterates that attaining power does not automatically mean that someone will use it for “good” or just reasons. Blink twices protagonist was oppressed, however, Given the opportunity to seize power, Frida Does – And she doesn’t try to transfer the power either. Instead, Frida chooses to maintain the same harmful power structures that have mistreated her.

Perhaps refreshingly, Kravitz’s film does not impose any kind of moral judgment on Frida’s choices. While another revenge thriller might leave the memory-wiped Slater dying in the fire, Blink twice Frida saved her abuser from death so that she could exercise the same control over him. It wasn’t enough for Frida to gain the moral (and literal) high ground. Frida even marries Slater, who crowns her CEO of his tech empire. Kravitz submits to the typical Hollywood ending because her movie, as she says in her production notes, is about power— Not empowerment (via Pop Culture Happy Hour).

Understanding Zoë Kravitz’s ideas for Blink Twice makes the final scene work better

Blink twice’s ending fits the movie’s tone and approach

Although Blink twice There isn’t a post-credits scene to explain the ending, this is the kind of ambitious movie that audiences will be thinking about long after the credits roll. There’s no doubt that Frida upholding, not dismantling, the abusive system of power is a jarring ending for audiences used to rooting for morally unambiguous protagonists. however, Blink twice Could offer a more realistic ending: No matter our experiences, we often do the best we can in the harmful systems we live in. Outside of a conventional Hollywood ending, it’s much rarer to dismantle or reshape them.

Blink twice is now playing in theaters worldwide.

Source: NPR Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast