Zoe Kravitz’ impressive directorial debut, Flash twice, is a must-see #MeToo-inspired thriller.

Cast: Naomi Ackie, Channing Tatum, Christian Slater, Simon Rex, Adria Arjona, Kyle MacLachlan, Geena Davis, Alia Shawkat

Zoë Kravitz’s directorial debut, Flash twice, surprised me. With an Instagrammable setting, a devilish psychotropic twist, and daring stylistic direction from the actor-turned-director, the film is anything but good. Flash twice is great. Kravitz, a Nepo baby, proves that she is more than the rocker’s daughter Lenny KravitzThe film deals with the looming shadow of the #MeToo movement and, as the zeitgeist demands, Flash twice has a lot to say about the rich. But the film is a gripping experience and surpasses its competitors by far. Don’t worry, darlingAnd Salt brandy. These films pale in comparison to Flash twice. A boundary-pushing, nerve-racking exploration of gender politics that will both shock and amuse. Who would have thought that such an uncomfortable film could be so much fun?

Frida, a clumsy cocktail waitress and aspiring nail designer, played by the outstanding Naomi Ackieliterally falls head over heels in love with Slater King (Channing Tatum). A tech-bro billionaire. In a whirlwind, Frida and her best friend Jess (Julia Schaefer) are kidnapped by King to an island. At first, Frida and Jess endure the unpleasant stench of powerful, rich white men bathing in hedonism. King incessantly asks, “Are you having fun?” as he and his guests lie by the pool, sipping endless champagne. In a drug-induced trance, the days soon blur into one. Objects appear and disappear. Frida cannot explain the dirt under her nails. There is trouble in paradise. But Frida and Jess put on a happy face and bat their eyes.

Kravitz, who co-wrote the screenplay with High fidelity writer ET Fig Treeis not exactly subtle. The film, burning with rage, beats its theories over your head until the obvious is scattered all over the lush tropical fauna. That’s half the fun. Flash twice is sarcastic. The film does not have to be subtle when monsters like Harvey Weinstein And Jeffrey Epstein operated in public. With ironic casting, Tatum, Kravitz’s fiancé, and his cliché of the villain, Haley Joel Osment, Simon Rex, Levon HawkeAnd Christian Slater, are uncomfortable representatives for men like Weinstein and Epstein. Kyle MacLachlan has a disturbing cameo appearance as King’s therapist. Not all therapy is a force for good, as is evident in Flash twice‘S wonderfully entertaining third act.

This third act may not be as exciting as a great Hitchcock carpet-puller, but Kravitz directs convincingly and sufficiently compensates for the weaknesses of the script. Flash twice teems with a rich palette of white, green, yellow and red. This opulent backdrop is calming at first, but then unsettling as things change. The eerie sound texture of Flash twice the hairs on my arms stand on end. All the elements are set for the daring third act, which you will enjoy even if you see it coming. Kravitz does not shy away from his wildness. You cannot forget that. Your memory will not fail you, unlike Frida or Jess.

Thomas Giblin

Flash twice is now in cinemas. Click here for tickets and showtimes

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