Channing Tatum Stars as Sinister Tech Billionaire in Zoë Kravitz's Directorial Debut 'Blink Twice'

Channing Tatum takes on a dark new role as a creepy tech billionaire in 'Blink Twice', the feature directorial debut of Zoë Kravitz. The thriller follows Tatum's character, Slater King, as he invites two unsuspecting women, played by Naomi Ackie and Alia Shawkat, to his private island for a dream vacation that soon turns into a nightmare.

The newly released trailer opens with an ominous declaration from Tatum's King: "So...everybody's dead." It sets the tone for the twisty tale, described as a mix between recent hits like 'Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery' and 'Bodies Bodies Bodies', where wealthy and privileged characters find themselves in a sinister situation.

Ackie stars as Frida, a cocktail waitress who catches King's eye at a fundraising gala. He invites her and her friend Jess (Shawkat) to join him and his oblivious pals on his secluded island. But as strange things start to happen, like guests' phones being confiscated and a knife going missing, Frida begins to question the eccentric billionaire's true intentions. She must uncover the disturbing truth if she hopes to survive the deadly party.

The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast including Adria Arjona, Simon Rex, Haley Joel Osment, Kyle MacLachlan, Christian Slater, and Geena Davis. Kravitz, who co-wrote the script with E.T. Feigenbaum, said the original title 'Pussy Island' represented a time when it would be acceptable for a place to be called that by a group of men. Despite the name change, the film promises to explore very uncomfortable themes.

Why this matters: 'Blink Twice' marks a major career milestone for Kravitz as she steps behind the camera for her first feature film. It also showcases Tatum's range as an actor, breaking out of his typical "boy next door" roles to portray a more complex and sinister character.

Kravitz and Tatum, who are now engaged in real life, worked closely together on the film. "I was just excited to see him be a dark character. I felt like that was a real challenge for him. A lot of his roles are the boy next door, the good guy," Kravitz explained about casting Tatum. 'Blink Twice' is set to premiere in theaters on August 23, 2024, promising audiences a gripping and provocative cinematic experience from a first-time director and her transformed leading man.

Key Takeaways

• Channing Tatum plays a creepy tech billionaire in Zoë Kravitz's directorial debut 'Blink Twice'.
• The thriller follows Tatum's character inviting two women to his private island for a deadly vacation.
• The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast including Adria Arjona, Simon Rex, and Geena Davis.
• 'Blink Twice' marks a major career milestone for Kravitz as a first-time director.
• The film is set to premiere in theaters on August 23, 2024, promising a gripping and provocative experience.