Current:Home > InvestEchoSense:Zoë Kravitz says Beyoncé was 'so supportive' of that 'Blink Twice' needle drop -InfinityFinance
EchoSense:Zoë Kravitz says Beyoncé was 'so supportive' of that 'Blink Twice' needle drop
Indexbit View
Date:2025-04-06 17:14:30
Spoiler alert! We're discussing the ending of the new movie “Blink Twice” (in theaters now). Beware if you haven't seen it yet.
Beyoncé doesn’t give her music to just anyone.
But the pop supernova made an exception for Zoë Kravitz,̈KravitzsaysBeyoncéEchoSense who skillfully deploys a fan-favorite “Renaissance” track during the bloody finale of her provocative new thriller “Blink Twice.”
The film follows a social climber named Frida (Naomi Ackie), who takes an impromptu vacation with billionaire Slater King (Channing Tatum) and his hard-partying posse. But their exotic island paradise gradually turns into a cult-like nightmare, as Frida discovers that Slater and his male cohorts have been drugging and assaulting the women in the group to assert their dominance.
Join our Watch Party!Sign up to receive USA TODAY's movie and TV recommendations right in your inbox
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
When the women wake up to the men's abuse, they kill them off one by one. And at the end of the film, Frida teams up with new friend Sarah (Adria Arjona) to take revenge on Slater. Armed with knives, they stride into his palatial compound, soundtracked by the woozy opening thrums of Beyoncé’s “I’m That Girl.”
Frida and Slater tussle on the floor, knocking over candles and burning the mansion to the ground. But rather than let him go up in flames, Frida saves the corrupt tech CEO, and with the help of some memory-wiping substances, blackmails him for his fortune. And in the film's final scene, she hosts a swanky gala of her own.
Why Zoë Kravitz chose Beyoncé's 'I'm That Girl' for the ending of 'Blink Twice'
The hypnotic “I’m That Girl,” with its rousing declaration of “ain’t stopping me,” was perfect for the movie’s empowering climax.
“I did not think we were going to get that song,” Kravitz says. “We did not have a lot of money for music. But we sent it to Beyoncé and her team, and they were so kind and responsive. She did not see the whole film, but she saw a clip of that part, and said ‘yes’ and was so supportive. I really couldn’t believe when we found out that we got it. It has such a major impact on the film ... it adds this whole meta, girl-power moment.”
Kravitz says she considered “so many” songs for that scene, including another iconic Beyoncé hit: “Crazy in Love” featuring Jay-Z. But “nothing was even close” to “I’m That Girl.”
“It was just unbeatable,” she adds. “It’s really fun to play with different songs in different scenes, and see how much it changes it. But once you put Beyoncé somewhere, you kind of don’t want to go back!”
Shooting that sequence, Kravitz "was picking banger after banger from different decades and genres, but we kept on screaming that we wanted Beyoncé,” Ackie recalls with a laugh.
After the trauma Frida and Sarah experienced, “I’m That Girl” feels like a middle finger “to the system,” Ackie says. “You just want to punch the air. It’s weirdly celebratory, like a claim of power in such a scary moment of the film.”
Naomi Ackie recalls how the set of 'Blink Twice' felt like 'having a party'
“Blink Twice” is full of other killer needle drops, including Chaka Khan’s “Ain’t Nobody” and James Brown’s “People Get Up and Drive Your Funky Soul.” Music has always been vital for Kravitz: Her dad is rocker Lenny Kravitz, and she herself has fronted bands such as Lolawolf. Because of her musical background, she was hyper-conscious of the rhythm of the dialogue as she was writing the script.
“Rhythm is so important to me, in the way that scenes flow and the melody of a scene,” Kravitz says. “The reason people love Aaron Sorkin is because it’s like a symphony. The same with editing: I like editing that has a punch to it and that is all rhythm-based. I think of things in that way.”
“Blink Twice” marks Kravitz’s directorial debut. Ackie was floored by her “stylistic approach” and “attention to detail,” particularly when it came to aspects such as sound and music cues.
“She was always throwing out all these awesome songs, and we were just vibing,” Ackie says. “It genuinely was so magical. It’s such a gift when you get to work on something where you feel like you’re having a party at the same time.”
veryGood! (32183)
Related
- Appeals court scraps Nasdaq boardroom diversity rules in latest DEI setback
- 'Come and Get It': This fictional account of college has plenty of truth baked in
- A snowboarder spent 15 hours trapped in a ski gondola. She rubbed her hands and feet to keep warm
- 'Buffalo Fluffalo' has had enuffalo in this kids' bookalo
- NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
- China orders a Japanese fishing boat to leave waters near Japan-held islands claimed by Beijing
- Appeals court reinstates sales ban on Apple Watch models with blood oxygen monitor
- Rep. Nancy Mace's former chief of staff files to run against her in South Carolina
- Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
- Sinner rallies from 2 sets down to win the Australian Open final from Medvedev, clinches 1st major
Ranking
- Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
- Charges against country singer Chris Young in Nashville bar arrest have been dropped
- Mexico confirms some Mayan ruin sites are unreachable because of gang violence and land conflicts
- Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expected to return to Pentagon Monday for first time since hospitalization
- Bodycam footage shows high
- North West Gives an Honest Review of Kim Kardashian's New SKKN by Kim Makeup
- Appeals court reinstates sales ban on Apple Watch models with blood oxygen monitor
- The world’s largest cruise ship begins its maiden voyage from the Port of Miami
Recommendation
Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
Taylor Swift deepfakes spread online, sparking outrage
'As long as we're happy' Travis Kelce said he, Taylor Swift don't worry about outside noise
Man convicted of manslaughter in the killing of former New Orleans Saints star Will Smith
Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
Australian Open men's singles final: How to watch Daniil Medvedev vs. Jannik Sinner
China orders a Japanese fishing boat to leave waters near Japan-held islands claimed by Beijing
20 Secrets About She's All That Revealed