New to Netflix on Might 22, 2025, Sirens is a darkish comedy miniseries that shares quite a bit in frequent with the poisonous cult featured in Blink Twice, the must-see Channing Tatum thriller that was launched final summer time. Directed by Tatum’s ex-girlfriend Zoë Kravitz, Blink Twice is certain to enchantment to those that benefit from the stress-free vibes of a sunny island getaway that turns into a way more sinister commentary on energy dynamics.
Headlined by Oscar-winner Julianne Moore, Sirens could swap the predatory nature of males profiting from ladies for female-on-female crime, however the hefty themes stay comparable. At their core, each Blink Twice and Sirens discover skilled ambition, class divides, profession risk-taking, and maybe most eye-opening, how the wealthy and highly effective exploit the youthful have-nots for their very own self-interested positive aspects.
‘Blink Twice’ Is One of many Finest Motion pictures of 2024
Blink Twice
3
/5
- Launch Date
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August 23, 2024
- Runtime
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102 Minutes
Regardless of being Zoë Kravitz’s directorial debut, Blink Twice is among the finest films of 2024. The film does so many issues properly, starting with the central premise and the twisted framing that bucks conference and defies expectation. At coronary heart, Blink Twice is about one girl’s awakening and private discovery of how badly she has been bodily, emotionally, and psychologically abused.
With intentionally fuzzy flashbacks to disorient viewers, Blink Twice issues Frida (Naomi Ackie), a hair stylist and cocktail waitress who’s approached at a fundraising occasion by tech guru Slater King (Tatum). Slater is type, charming, and seductive at first. He invitations Frida and her buddy Jess (Alia Shawkat) to social gathering on his non-public, secluded island along with his pals and colleagues. Frida and Jess agree and, for some time, have a blast taking medicine, ingesting booze, listening to music, and stress-free in the summertime solar.
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But, simply as Sirens alludes to the sounds of the police, Blink Twice turns into code for “blink twice for those who’re at risk,” a cautious act that have to be performed to maintain Slater and his felony buddies from realizing an escape plan is imminent. With out spoiling the exact particulars, Slater and his devious assistants have turned the island right into a disturbing playground to bodily violate the ladies they’ve invited and wipe the victims’ reminiscences earlier than they’ll alert the authorities.
Blink Twice admirably essays the psychological thriller subgenre and retains viewers guessing till the hyperviolent finale. The film’s message concerning the abuses of influential wealth and energy and the therapeutic of feminine friendship is elevated by the sun-dappled setting, stellar supporting forged, and pitch-perfect music.
How ‘Blink Twice’ Intoxicates Viewers To Conceal Its Message
Some of the spectacular facets of Blink Twice is the way it lulls viewers right into a false sense of safety earlier than presenting its essential themes. That is performed by many strategies, starting with the sunny island vibes and stress-free trip setting of Slater’s resort. Simply as Frida and Jess are seduced by the unique environment and colourful cocktails, so is the viewers.
The characters luxuriate for such a protracted interval that the primary half appears like a relaxing hangout film. Past the lavish location, the music chosen by Kravitz attracts viewers in and accentuates the restful trip vibe. From James Brown and Emitt Rhodes to Chaka Khan and Beyoncé to Chanda Dancy’s acclaimed authentic rating, Blink Twice‘s vivid soundtrack provides to the inebriation, which makes the second-half twist of the psychological thriller way more alarming.
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One other approach Blink Twice excels at making viewers really feel falsely secure is the top-notch supporting forged. Slater has surrounded himself with a bunch of brown-nosing yes-men who bend to his each whim and want, but current such a assured air within the friends they recruit. The interaction between Vic (Christian Slater), Cody (Simon Rex), and Tom (Haley Joel Osment) is a part of the film’s droll, seductive enchantment, till they and Slater get the brutal comeuppance they rightly deserve within the remaining act.
Previous the sunny setting, tone-setting music, and enchanting supporting forged, point out have to be manufactured from Naomi Ackie’s exceptional lead efficiency. The gifted British actor has the tough activity of not simply enduring the psychological torment Frida experiences, however she additionally should hold viewers off stability by retaining the film’s central thriller. Paired with Kravitz’s trendy path that features blurry flashbacks in line with Frida’s intoxication, Ackie delivers a really memorable flip that requires emotional maturity and demanding physicality.
For viewers’ sake, the hope for Sirens is that it’ll characteristic as many unexpected twists and turns as Blink Twice, as many standout performances (lead and supporting), an inviting music-laced social gathering environment, and most of all, a salient assertion on the powers of abuse and the need of solidarity in a poisonous office.
‘Sirens’ May Be One other Hit for Netflix
Molly Smith Metzler created Sirens as a TV adaptation of her 2011 play Elemeno Pea. The brand new five-part miniseries follows Devon DeWitt (Meghann Fahy), a 30-something social employee who expresses grave concern about her youthful sister Simone’s (Milly Alcock) demanding boss, Michaela Kell (Moore). In Metzler’s play, Michaela is described because the “trophy spouse” of billionaire Peter Kell (Kevin Bacon), who returns to their lavish trip residence as summer time closes and interrupts Simone’s keep.
Devon, a blue-collar employee with an old style work ethic, visits Simone and meets Michaela. As Devon witnesses firsthand how abusive, creepy, and unprofessional Michaela is towards her little sister, a battle of wits ensues all through the one-weekend keep. As Devon sticks up for Simone and confronts Michaela for her depraved methods, an idyllic island getaway quickly devolves right into a nightmarish conflict of sophistication dynamics and socioeconomic sirens out to guard their pursuits.
The title Sirens alludes to the Greek mythological group of feminine sea-creatures (typically mermaids) who lured sailors to their deaths by seductive music. The mythological facet of the present is strengthened by the episode titles, which embody “Exile,” “Talons,” “Monster,” “Persephone,” and “Siren Music.” The title additionally connotes “Sirens” because the wailing sounds of a police emergency, indicating one thing felony is afoot when Michaela unexpectedly returns. Maybe Simone must Blink Twice for Devon to understand how pressing issues have turn out to be. Sirens is streaming on Netflix. Blink Twice is streaming on Prime Video.