Amazon MGM Studios recently issued a trigger warning for Zoë Kravitz’s new film Blink Twice, ahead of its upcoming release.
On August 21, the studio shared the warning on the film’s official social media platforms, stating, “We are proud to finally share Blink Twice with audiences in theaters worldwide this week.”
“Blink Twice is a psychological thriller centered on the abuse of power,” the post continued. “While this film is fictional, it features mature themes and depictions of violence — including sexual violence.
This content may be distressing or triggering for some viewers. For resources offering support, visit BlinkTwiceResources.com.”
This announcement follows criticism aimed at the recently released It Ends With Us for not adequately addressing its depiction of domestic violence upfront.
In response to this criticism, It Ends With Us, starring Blake Lively and directed by Justin Baldoni, included a message in its end credits: “If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Visit www.nomore.org for information and support.”
The film, adapted from Colleen Hoover’s 2016 novel, also partnered with nomore.org to create a “Viewers’ Guide,” aimed at raising awareness and promoting action against domestic and sexual abuse, while encouraging healthy relationships.
Bridgette Stumpf, founder and executive director of Network for Victim Recovery of DC (NVRDC), voiced her concerns arguing that It Ends With Us “ultimately fails the survivors it is meant to support” by “downplaying its domestic violence content in the film’s marketing and not providing content warnings before the film begins.”
Stumpf noted her disappointment when she watched the film in a packed theater and found that no resources were offered to survivors until the end credits, by which time many viewers had already left.
Naomi Ackie stars as Frida, and Adria Arjona plays Sarah in Zoë Kravitz’s Blink Twice, an Amazon MGM Studios film.
Blake Lively, 36, previously discussed the themes of It Ends With Us and her character Lily Bloom at the London premiere of the movie on August 8, just before its wide release.
“The movie addresses domestic violence, but what’s crucial is that Lily is not just a survivor or a victim,” she told the BBC.
“While those are significant aspects of her character, they don’t define her. She’s not solely shaped by what happened to her — she defines herself.”
Lively added, “It’s empowering to remind people that no one else can define you, no experience can define you — you define you.
I believe we’ve delivered a story that’s emotional, fun, funny, painful, scary, tragic, and inspiring. That’s what life is.”
On her Instagram Stories, Lively also posted resources for domestic violence survivors, emphasizing that “everyone deserves relationships free from domestic violence,” and provided a link to the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
It Ends With Us, rated PG-13 for “domestic violence, sexual content, and some strong language,” is currently in theaters.
Blink Twice, Zoë Kravitz’s directorial debut starring her fiancé Channing Tatum, is rated R for “strong violent content, sexual assault, drug use, language throughout, and some sexual references,” according to the MPA.
The film’s synopsis reveals that Frida (played by Naomi Ackie), a cocktail waitress, visits tech billionaire Slater King’s (played by Channing Tatum) private island, where “strange things start to happen” and she must “uncover the truth if she wants to make it out of this party alive.” Blink Twice is set to hit theaters on August 23.
