This article contains brief mentions of rape, domestic violence, and suicide.
Spoilers for Blink Twice are ahead!
Summary
Amazon MGM Studios made a bold move withBlink Twiceby including a trigger warning at the beginning, and I hope other production companies follow suit in the future.Blink Twice, which was originally titledPussy Island, follows the horrifying activities that take place on a tech mogul’s island. The movie is an essential addition to the post #MeToo era, continuing to shed light on the abuse of power at the hands of rich and privileged men.
Blink Twice’s characterSlater King drew unsurprising comparisons to Jeffrey Epstein,though the debut director and co-writer Zoe Kravitz stated toIndieWirethat the script was already halfway written when news of Epstein’s crimes became public. With such heavy topics in the film, the production company, Amazon MGM Studios, chose to issue a trigger warning on their Twitter/X account and include one at the start of the movie. As someone with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD), I appreciated this heads-up and hope that the choice to issue trigger warnings at the start of theatrical movies becomes more commonplace.
Blink Twice Having A Trigger Warning At The Start Is Extremely Helpful
Blink Twice Has A Graphic Scene I Wouldn’t Have Been Able To Stomach Without Knowledge Beforehand
If I had gone into Blink Twice without knowing that the movie contained graphic scenes of rape, I would have had a PTSD episode or a mental breakdown in the movie theater. I can’t count the number of times I’ve found myself sobbing in the theater or darting out the door while having a panic attack.The climax andending ofBlink Twicewould have been particularly bad for survivors of sexual violence since the rape occurs onscreen rather than being implied.
Blink Twice’s Red Rabbit Clue & Meaning Explained
One of the most significant clues to Blink Twice’s twist ending is the phrase “Red Rabbit,” which holds a deep narrative and symbolic meaning.
However, the trigger warning at the start of Blink Twice allowed me and other survivors of sexual violence to evaluate whether we could safely watch the film. Ultimately, I took my anxiety meds as soon as I saw the trigger warning and continued watching. However, other viewers who have experienced sexual assault or abuse of power trauma could have made the decision to leave. That’s the beauty of a trigger warning. It allows audiences to make informed decisions about their mental health.
DoesTheDogDie.comis another resource helpful for people who need to know beforehand whether a movie includes triggering content. However, that system relies on people who have seen the film to answer whether triggers exist, so it doesn’t always have answers for media that has just come out.
It Should Be More Common For Movies To Have Trigger Warnings For Viewers
Trigger Warnings Should Be More Common With Society’s Increased Mental Health Awareness
Trigger warnings ahead of movies and TV shows are unfortunately controversial because some viewers who don’t need them view them as spoilers. Including them also raises the question of what content needs trigger warnings and what doesn’t. However, there are obvious traumas – like domestic violence, suicide, sexual abuse, rape – that are painfully common.
Ultimately, trigger warnings are like life vests on airplanes. If you don’t need them, they don’t hurt you. However, they could save someone who does need them – including me.
Recent movies likeIt Ends With Us,The Crow, andCuckoocould have benefitted from a trigger warning at the start of the film.With society becoming more aware of the importance of mental health, we need to change with the times and follow the example set by Blink Twice. Ultimately, trigger warnings are like lifevests on airplanes. If you don’t need them, they don’t hurt you. However, they could save someone who does need them – including me.
