Zoe Kravitz has unveiled the reason behind the title change for her directorial debut, originally known as P—y Island. The film, now titled Blink Twice, is set to hit theaters on August 23.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Kravitz, 35, explained that societal discomfort with the word “p—y” necessitated the change. “It was made very clear to me that ‘p—y’ is a word that we, our society, are not ready to embrace yet,” she said. Roadblocks included the MPAA’s reluctance to display the word on promotional materials and theaters’ hesitance to print it on tickets.
Despite initial resistance to the change, Kravitz realized that her intended audience might be put off by the original title. “Interestingly enough, after researching it, women were offended by the word, and women seeing the title were saying, ‘I don’t want to see that movie,’” she noted. Her aim was to reclaim the word and challenge societal discomfort, but she acknowledged that “we’re not there yet.”
Kravitz, who is engaged to one of the film’s stars, Channing Tatum, emphasized her responsibility as a filmmaker to prioritize the audience’s reception. “I care about people seeing the film, and I care about how it makes people feel,” she said.
Blink Twice stars Naomi Ackie as Frida, a cocktail waitress who is invited to a luxurious island party by a tech billionaire, played by Tatum. The plot thickens as Frida’s best friend, Jess (Alia Shawkat), disappears, and no one seems to remember her.
Kravitz remains proud of the film’s original title, even as she embraces the new one. “P—y Island was the first thing I wrote down when I wrote this movie… and the spirit of what that means to me is still alive and very much present in the film,” she stated. She believes the new title, Blink Twice, ultimately enhances the film’s focus.
The film’s star-studded cast also includes Kyle MacLachlan, Haley Joel Osment, Gina Davis, Adria Arjona, Christian Slater, and Simon Rex. The trailer, which dropped on April 23, has already generated significant buzz.
Kravitz’s debut film promises to be a thrilling exploration of mystery and societal norms, inviting audiences to look beyond the title and delve into the story.
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