“Blink Twice,” Zoë Kravitz’s directorial debut, is poised to be one of the standout films of 2024. After its premiere at the DGA Theater in Los Angeles on August 8, it received widespread acclaim from critics, a testament to Kravitz’s impressive work as a first-time filmmaker.
The movie follows tech billionaire Slater King and cocktail waitress Frida, who meet at his fundraising gala and quickly form a connection. He invites her to join him and his friends on a dream vacation to his private island. However, what begins as a luxurious getaway soon turns into a nightmare, forcing Frida to find a way to escape.
Rated R for its intense portrayal of violence and exploration of gender inequalities, the production has sparked curiosity about whether the story, co-created by Kravitz and E.T. Feigenbaum, is inspired by specific true events. Here’s what the actress said.
Is ‘Blink Twice’ rooted in real life? Zoe Kravitz shares her inspiration
According to Zoë Kravitz, “Blink Twice” is 100% based on true events, though not on a single specific story as one might expect. Instead, it draws inspiration from the infinite obstacles women often face in the entertainment industry, particularly in relation to the power dynamics with their male colleagues.
In a 2022 interview with IndieWire, Kravitz shared that the script was conceived to address the lack of dialogue around how women are treated in show business. Her goal was to create an up-to-date, accurate reflection of these issues.
As societal conversations about the treatment of women, particularly in the wake of the #MeToo movement and the Harvey Weinstein scandal, evolved, Kravitz found herself frequently revising the script.
She explained, “I started writing it pre-#MeToo, pre-Harvey [Weinstein]. Then the world started to have the conversation, so [the script] changed a lot. It became more about a power struggle and what that power struggle means. I rewrote it a million times. Now we’re like, ‘Holy sh*t. We’re doing this!’”
In a previous interview with Deadline, Kravitz also mentioned that the movie is deeply influenced by her own experiences, not just as a woman in entertainment but as a woman in general. She emphasized that “Blink Twice” is a necessary picture because, despite the progress society has made, there remains a lingering discomfort from past behavior, and the title serves as a nod to that reality.