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• Documentary
• Directed by Ralph Arlyck

Looking back at the lives he and his friends led, the documentarian Ralph Arlyck delivers a memoir, an essay on mortality and a portrait of his community.

By Alissa Wilkinson

• Directed by Dave Chernin, John Chernin

Freshman engage in some fairly predictable debauchery in this routine high school gross-out comedy streaming on Netflix.

By Calum Marsh

• NYT Critic’s Pick
• Directed by John Woo

Woo’s new version of his Hong Kong action movie “The Killer,” starring Nathalie Emmanuel and Omar Sy, may be a remake, but it’s not a retread.

By Glenn Kenny

• Action, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Romance, Thriller
• Directed by Rupert Sanders

Hoping to skate by off moody vibes, this revamp of “The Crow” comic book series seems derived from a flattened, Hot Topic image of the hero.

By Brandon Yu

Between the Temples

• Directed by Nathan Silver

And meets his former music teacher, upending his life, in Nathan Silver’s touching comedy, starring Jason Schwartzman and Carol Kane.

By Manohla Dargis

The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat

• Comedy, Drama
• Directed by Tina Mabry

You’ll want to pass the ketchup, and the hankies, for this buffet of tear-jerking deep-fried decadence.

By Amy Nicholson

Strange Darling

• Horror, Thriller
• Directed by JT Mollner

In this cheeky, cunningly assembled thriller, a serial killer gets a satisfying and surprising comeuppance.

By Jeannette Catsoulis

• Directed by Monica Sorelle

This feature debut from Monica Sorelle observes the tensions in an immigrant family in the Little Haiti neighborhood of Miami.

By Ben Kenigsberg

I'll Be Your Mirror

• Directed by Bradley Rust Gray

This visually elegant indie follows a soft-spoken Swiss widow visiting Japan.

By Beatrice Loayza

Close Your Eyes

• Directed by Víctor Erice

For his latest, the Spanish director Victor Erice, known for the classic “The Spirit of the Beehive,” weaves a meta tale of a director looking for an absent actor.

Blink Twice

• Mystery, Thriller
• Directed by Zoë Kravitz

The director Zoë Kravitz creates an uneasy atmosphere in her abduction horror flick, starring Naomi Ackie and Channing Tatum.

By Robert Daniels

• Directed by Angela Patton, Natalie Rae

The Netflix documentary doesn’t gloss over hard truths as it follows participants in the Date With Dad program.

• Action, Comedy, Thriller
• Directed by Julian Farino

When a mission goes pear-shaped, a covert operative (Halle Berry) turns to a secret weapon: her high school boyfriend (Mark Wahlberg).

• Directed by Robin Campillo

Robin Campillo relies on the power of suggestion to sketch life in this former French colony, filtering it obliquely through a young white boy’s eyes.

The Good Half

• Directed by Robert Schwartzman

Nick Jonas and Brittany Snow play siblings coordinating funeral logistics for their mom in this drama, a cross between “Terms of Endearment” and a Hallmark movie.

By Natalia Winkelman

In the Rearview

• Directed by Maciek Hamela

Maciek Hamela’s documentary offers a compelling perspective on the Russian invasion of Ukraine through the stories of people fleeing the country in a van.

By Nicolas Rapold

The Greatest Surf Movie in the Universe

• Animation, Comedy
• Directed by Vaughan Blakey, Nick Pollet

A mix of too much lousy animation and too little wave-riding footage.

Close to You

• Directed by Dominic Savage

This formless drama featuring Elliot Page as a trans man returning home relies on improvised dialogue.

Caligula: The Ultimate Cut

• Drama, History, Mystery
• Directed by Tinto Brass

With the belief that a masterpiece lurks within the mangled original 1980 release, Thomas Negovan has patched together a new version (with less skin) from the Penthouse archive.

By Elisabeth Vincentelli

Alien: Romulus

• Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller
• Directed by Fede Alvarez

The seventh installment of the series centers on Rain (Cailee Spaeny), a contract worker in an outer-space mining colony, and her friend Andy (David Jonsson), an android.

• Action, Comedy
• Directed by Paul Feig

Awkwafina and John Cena star in a fitfully funny near-future comedy with strangely mixed metaphors.

It Ends with Us

• Drama, Romance
• Directed by Justin Baldoni

Blake Lively plays Lily Bloom, a flower lover with a thorny personal garden, in this gauzy adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel.

The Instigators

• Action, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
• Directed by Doug Liman

Casey Affleck and Matt Damon star in a Boston heist that goes sideways.

Girl You Know It’s True

• Biography, Drama, Music
• Directed by Simon Verhoeven

This film, based on the lives of the duo who lip-synced their way to stardom and downfall, fills in many of the details behind the facade.

Dance First

• Biography, Drama
• Directed by James Marsh

Samuel Beckett’s life is reduced to mommy and daddy issues in a biopic that offers simple explanations for the career of a complex writer.

• Directed by India Donaldson

Lily Collias delivers an extraordinary lead performance in this exquisite debut feature about a camping trip and a moment of self-realization.

• Horror, Mystery, Thriller
• Directed by Tilman Singer

Dan Stevens and Hunter Schafer face off in this unexpectedly fun and undeniably nutty horror-comedy about cross-species pollination.

Borderlands

• Action, Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi, Thriller
• Directed by Eli Roth

In Eli Roth’s caper movie, based on the best-selling video game franchise, Cate Blanchett plays a bounty hunter who is tasked with finding a tycoon’s daughter.

• Crime, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
• Directed by M. Night Shyamalan

Josh Hartnett stars as a father with a secret in this M. Night Shyamalan film set at a concert.

Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes

• Directed by Nanette Burstein

The documentary blends audio interviews with footage from her life to provide a revealing look not so much at the actress, but at celebrity culture.

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Find your next captivating movie moment

New Releases

I’ll Be Your Mirror

Strange darling, close your eyes, blink twice, between the temples, the supremes at earl's all-you-can-eat, greedy people, in the rearview, caligula: the ultimate cut, alien: romulus, the deliverance, my penguin friend, upcoming releases, city of dreams, shaun of the dead, seeking mavis beacon, my first film, merchant ivory, in theaters, close to you, watchmen: chapter i, sirocco and the kingdom of the winds, it ends with us, best movies on.

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The Gold Standard in Critical Analysis

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• The summarized weighted average captures the essence of critical opinion.

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Every Movie Based on a Videogame, Ranked

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(Photo by Disney. Courtesy Everett Collection. ALIEN: ROMULUS.)

30 Most Popular Movies Right Now: What to Watch In Theaters and Streaming

Discover the top, most popular movies available now, along with what’s stoking early buzz and hype! Across theaters, streaming, and on-demand, these are the movies Rotten Tomatoes users are checking out at this very moment, including space horror sequel Alien: Romulus , Borderlands (ranking pret-ty low on the video game list ), Deadpool & Wolverine (officially member #55 of the billion-dollar club ), It Ends With Us (see where it ranks on 2024’s rom-coms and romance movies ), disaster sequel Twisters .

Check back for latest updates to the charts, and also take a look at the most popular TV shows out right now !)

Alien: Romulus (2024) 80%

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The 5 Best Outdoor Movie Screens of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Outdoor movie nights just got a whole lot better

In This Article

• Our Top Picks
• How We Tested
• What to Look For

Creating the Best Image on Your Movie Screen

• Why Trust The Spruce

The Spruce / Jennifer May

Better than the big screen at the theater, outdoor movie screens bring your favorite movies and television shows to your backyard, and can even up your outdoor entertainment game. To help you invest in the right type and size of outdoor movie screen, we tested nine models in our own backyards (alongside outdoor projectors ) for a total of 63 hours—comparing them all on design, ease of assembly, durability, screen quality, and value.

Based on our experiences, the best outdoor movie screens have a bright white, smooth, taut, and wrinkle-free surface, which contributes to a quality image. We enjoyed freestanding movie screens—and think they’ll be the best option for most people, though they can require an extra set of hands to set up. However, avid movie watchers may want a permanent option they can conveniently install and then pull down when it’s time to watch a movie. 

The Spruce / Jodi Espinosa

Inflatable movie screens can be the trickiest to set up and take down often, but the fan element was surprisingly not disruptive during our testing. What type of screen you opt for really comes down to the setup process, portability of the screen, and price. Our favorites include a mix, and measure at least 100 inches to accommodate the most popular format of modern movies and television shows.

Editor’s Note: This article was updated in April 2024 to include new testing insights and buying considerations for our five favorite outdoor movie screens.

Best Overall

Elite screens yard master plus.

Clear, consistent image quality

Large enough for a group

Height-adjustable legs

Frame could use reinforcements for more stability

Screen wrinkles when stored

We highly recommend the Elite Screens Yard Master Plus Portable Projector Screen as the best outdoor movie screen. It’s easy to set up and disassemble and large enough to host a crowd for movie night , thanks to its 120-inch screen (smaller and larger screen sizes are available). When testing this freestanding outdoor movie screen, we found it to be very easy to set up in the yard with the help of two people. The rigid frame means you can move the screen around as needed. 

Even when a bit of a breeze kicked up, the movie screen remained stable with the help of the included ground stakes—though, we wish the feet on either side of the screen were connected for even more stability. The legs are height-adjustable, so you can raise or lower the height of the projector as needed, which is a nice design touch.

The Spruce / Cathy Fallone

We had no complaints about the quality or clarity of the screen, which has a 16:9 aspect ratio and supports 4K Ultra HD image projection. Although some wrinkles are noticeable when you are unpacking the movie screen, they aren't noticeable when watching a movie at night. And, compared to projecting onto a blank wall, the image quality was more consistent. 

The screen’s generous size means that there’s plenty of viewing space for a big group, but you will need a large area to set up this outdoor movie screen. You can also expect some work to break down and pack away the screen after use—but that’s pretty common with movie screens and not a deal-breaker in our eyes.

Type: Freestanding | Dimensions: 110.4 x 48.9 x 127.2 inches | Screen Size: 120 inches (other sizes available) | Aspect Ratio: 16:9

Best Under $100

Mdbebbron projection screen.

Stores compactly

Wrinkle-resistant screen material

Excellent opacity and image quality

No frame included

Ideal viewing angle limited to front and center

In exchange for a little effort setting up this screen using Command hooks or even a rope, the Mdbebbron Projection Screen offers surprisingly good image quality at a great value. Outdoor movie screens typically cost hundreds of dollars, but this version costs well under $50—it just doesn’t include a frame. Instead, you have to use the included hooks, Command hooks, or a rope to mount the screen to a flat area, like the side of your house or garage. 

While testing this outdoor projector screen, we were impressed with the thickness and opacity of the polyester screen material. When mounted to a shed door, we couldn’t see the details of the door’s construction while watching a movie on the screen, and the colors were vibrant without being oversaturated. 

The Spruce / Lucy Silberman

The best spot to view the screen is front and center; sitting off to the side makes the picture look darker. This is the biggest shortcoming we noticed during our testing, but it’s not enough to keep us from recommending this screen for your backyard movie nights.

Even after several months of testing, the screen’s material shows no signs of wear and tear. It remains relatively unwrinkled, despite being folded and stored in a pouch when not in use, too.

Type: Wall-mounted | Dimensions: 104 x 0.2 x 58 inches | Screen Size: 120 inches | Aspect Ratio: 16:9

Best Pull-Down

Elite screens manual b projection screen.

Wall-mount or ceiling installation

Compact and securely stored

Excellent picture quality

Can’t be moved around

Not recommended for use with short-throw projectors

This pull-down projector screen from Elite Screens will be an upgrade to your outdoor setup, thanks to its excellent picture quality and sturdy housing. It offers flexible installation options (you can mount it to a wall or ceiling); but once it’s installed, it can’t be moved around since it screws into place using included hardware. 

The 120-inch screen smoothly and easily extends from the housing, and retracts with a light tug on the handle at the bottom of the screen. Once installed, this was one of the easiest screens to set up in advance of a viewing session. It takes less than five minutes to have the screen ready to go—about the same amount of time it would take to grab a bucket of popcorn and a drink before hitting the play button.

While using the Elite Screens projector screen in the backyard, we were wowed by the screen quality. A black backing and border minimize light penetration and enhance the image contrast. The picture was bright while watching movies or television shows, and everything looked crisp and focused no matter where we sat in relation to the screen. It’s also worth mentioning that we didn’t experience any wrinkling. 

When not in use, it rolls up neatly inside its housing (which also keeps it free of dirt and debris) and when extended, the bottom of the screen is weighted enough to keep the screen hanging straight. Keep in mind that this outdoor projector screen isn’t compatible with certain types of outdoor movie projectors, like short-throw and ultra short-throw projectors.

Type: Pull-down | Dimensions: 108.7 x 2.8 x 76.1 inches | Screen Size: 120 inches | Aspect Ratio: 16:9

Best Portable

Elite screens yard master 2.

Includes carrying case

Sturdy frame with detachable, folding legs

Available with 16:9 or 4:3 aspect ratio

Extension required to adjust frame height

Setup is challenging for one person

The Elite Screens Yard Master 2 Portable Projector Screen is the best portable outdoor movie screen based on its sturdy, folding frame and high-quality screen material, which you can pack away in its included carrying case. We found that this freestanding screen creates a cinematic experience for your outdoor movie theater but stores away neatly. This is ideal for transporting the screen to a friend’s house, campsite, and more. To make it easier to pack, the Yard Master 2 has detachable, folding support legs, too.

Based on our experience, it’s possible to set up and disassemble this portable outdoor movie screen while working solo. But it’s much easier with a partner due to the size of the frame and the effort needed to attach the screen onto the frame using a series of snap buttons along the screen’s perimeter.

The Spruce / Tammy Gardini

Once assembled, the effort paid off with a bright 120-inch picture display that speaks volumes about the quality of the CineWhite UHD-B screen material. The screen was a bit wrinkly for our first use, but it didn’t affect picture quality and the manufacturer indicates the wrinkles subside over time. It’s also worth noting that you can pick between an aspect ratio of 16:9 or 4:3 for the 120-inch version of this outdoor movie screen, depending on what you plan on viewing on the screen.

The Yard Master 2 is similar to our top pick, but it doesn’t have height-adjustable legs without the use of extension pieces, which are sold separately. It’s not a big sacrifice for a portable movie screen, but if you’re not toting around the screen and want to fine-tune your setup by adjusting frame height, then you might invest in the Yard Master Plus (our best overall) instead. 

Type: Freestanding | Dimensions: 109.8 x 36.7 x 89 inches | Screen Size: 120 inches (other sizes available) | Aspect Ratio: 16:9 or 4:3

Best Inflatable

Holiday styling giant inflatable projector screen.

Easy to set up with excellent air retention

Includes ground stakes for stability

Supports front or rear projection

Cumbersome to fold up after use

Screen image requires dark conditions

For an inflatable outdoor movie screen, we recommend this supersized outdoor movie screen from Holiday Styling , because it’s surprisingly simple to set up and has a large, 180-inch screen that supports both front or rear projection. In only about 10 minutes, we had the frame inflated and the white screen securely attached with Velcro; it created a smooth, wrinkle-free viewing area with excellent picture quality from just about any spot in our yard. 

The only caveat is that it must be totally dark to see the projected image. We tried to watch a movie at dusk, and it was impossible to see. We know, though, that a projector also plays a part in image quality. Notably, the screen didn’t budge in slightly windy conditions, and stakes are included for added stability if wind speeds do kick up. 

We were initially skeptical about noise interference from the blower fan (which ran constantly when the screen was inflated), but we were pleased to find that the fan only emits a low hum that doesn’t impact the movie watching experience. And, even over time, this blow-up outdoor movie screen didn’t show any evidence of air loss or deflation. 

When it’s time to pack it up, just shut off the fan and open the frame’s zipper to let the air escape. Folding up this inflatable movie screen was the most challenging part of use, especially since grass and debris tends to get caught in the material, and its large size makes it cumbersome. The effort is worthwhile if you want a large outdoor movie screen for group viewing, but you’ll also need the space to store the frame, screen, and blower fan when not in use. 

Type: Inflatable | Dimensions: 180 x 76.8 x 120 inches | Screen Size: 180 inches | Aspect Ratio: Not listed

Final Verdict

The best overall outdoor movie screen, based on our testing, is the Elite Screens Yard Master Plus Portable Projector Screen . It’s easy to set up, has a height-adjustable frame, and offers great picture quality. If you can skip the freestanding frame and have a flat, open surface (like the side of your house or garage), the Mdbebbron Projection Screen ( best under $100 ) is another great option and is under $100. While the best viewing angle is directly in front of the screen, the screen material really impressed us with its image quality and wrinkle-resistance.

How We Tested the Outdoor Movie Screens

To find the best outdoor movie screens, we tested nine screens of different types and sizes—including freestanding, pull-down, inflatable, and wall-mounted options—in our very own backyards. 

To start, we set them up, or mounted them to an exterior wall of a shed or garage door, to see how stable and durable these outdoor screens really were. We timed how long setup (and later disassembly) took, and noted whether the process could be completed with one, two, or more people.

During the 63 total hours we spent testing, we used each screen to watch movies and TV shows, alongside our favorite outdoor projectors. We evaluated the screen display from all different viewing angles and distances, comparing the image to that of one projected onto a blank space (like a smooth exterior wall or garage door).

We also took the screen’s portability into account, and whether you could easily pack it up to bring it on a trip or to a friend’s house. We considered the overall quality of it, and whether it could withstand wind or other common outdoor conditions, and used our entire experience to judge the price and whether it was reasonable.

What to Look for in an Outdoor Movie Screen

Choose the right size.

The best screen size for your outdoor movie screen depends on your available space, your viewing preferences, and the content to be displayed. Based on the fact that most movies or television shows utilize a 16:9 aspect ratio, Billy Harrison —product manager of mainstream video projectors at Optoma—recommends a 100-inch screen size. He says it’s ideal for an average backyard of 1,600 to 2,000 square feet, noting a few dozen people will be able to comfortably view the image. This is also a great size for most home setups.

We tested our top recommendation, the Elite Screens Yard Master Plus Portable Projector Screen ( best overall ), in a 120-inch screen variation, but it also comes in smaller or larger sizes (with the 100-inch screen being the smallest size available, which matches with Harrison’s minimum recommendation). Keep in mind, though, that the screen dimensions are not the same as the screen size , which is measured diagonally, from corner to corner. 

According to Harrison, the largest discrepancy between the size of an outdoor movie screen and its screen size, or projection area, is typically seen in inflatable outdoor movie screens. You'll want to pay particular attention to screen size when shopping for this type of screen. 

Make sure you have enough available space to set up the movie screen, whether it’s a blank space for a pull-down screen or a flat, level area for a freestanding or inflatable screen. You should also keep in mind that the larger the screen, the more challenging it can be for simply one person to assemble and disassemble it.

Larger screens can also take up more storage space, which we saw firsthand with inflatable outdoor movie screens that come with both a frame and a fan component that need storing.

Look for Sturdiness and Rust-Resistance

It’s key to find an outdoor movie screen that can withstand the rigors of outdoor use and regular setup and take-down. During our testing, we didn’t experience any durability issues that caused concern, but you should look for sturdy, rust-resistant components.

We mounted the Elite Screens Manual B Series Projector Screen (our best pull-down pick) in a covered outdoor location and were impressed by how the metal housing kept the screen free of dirt and securely rolled up without any wrinkles or tearing. 

In addition, ground stakes or tie-downs can help to improve the wind-resistance of an outdoor movie screen. A sudden gust of wind could topple your outdoor movie screen, but by securing the screen with reinforcements, you can improve the stability of your setup.

Aim for Portability

Portability is especially important if you’re transporting an outdoor movie screen to locations such as the park or a friend’s house. Even if you only plan to host movie night in your own backyard, the portability of your screen comes into play if you’ll need to pack and unpack the screen each time you use it (like in the case of a freestanding or inflatable movie screen). 

Factors that impact portability include the use of lightweight materials for the frame or simple components that can be easily assembled. We found the Elite Screens Yard Master 2 Portable Projector Screen (our best portable pick) is one of the best movie screens for portability, based on its detachable, folding aluminum legs and included carrying case.

Understanding Aspect Ratio and Throw Ratio

To properly display your favorite movies or shows on the screen, you should pay attention to the aspect ratio and the throw ratio. Aspect ratio is the geometric size of the image, says Harrison. He notes that a 16:9 ratio is the default for today’s TV programs, video games, Blu-ray movies, and theater releases. The older, 4:3 image ratio is more typical of television shows and movies that date back 15 years or more. 

“All 1080p and 4K UHD projectors have a 16:9 aspect ratio, so when selecting a screen, 16:9 aspect ratio is ideal, providing the best viewing experience that is optimized for today’s content,” adds Harrison.

The throw ratio refers to the distance a projector needs to display an image. If the throw ratio is smaller, then the projector can be positioned closer to the screen. If the throw ratio is larger, the projector can be placed farther from the screen for an ideal picture, notes Harrison.

“Short-throw projectors are great for space-constrained environments,” he adds. So, if you’re working with a small backyard or space, it’s best to find a short-throw projector for your movie screen. However, note that not all outdoor movie screens are compatible with a short-throw or ultra short-throw projector—an example being our best pull-down selection, the Elite Screens Manual B Series Projector Screen .

However, if you do have a compatible setup, you can place your projector in front of the audience, “which eliminates obstruction from objects, furniture, or the audience themselves,” notes Harrison.

If that’s your scenario, keep in mind that some outdoor movie screens are compatible with short throw and ultra short throw projectors, while others aren’t.

Understanding Image Quality

The color of your outdoor movie screen can impact the brightness, color, or contrast of your projected video. White screens feature higher gain, making them ideal for brightness and color accuracy, while gray has lower gain yet better contrast and black levels, says Harrison. But he also emphasizes that the outdoor movie projector you choose has a greater impact on image color than the screen itself. 

Wrinkles or creases in the screen can impact image quality, though, causing ripples in the show or movie image. A thick, durable screen material helps to minimize wrinkling, as does a secure, taut fit when fastening the screen to the frame or supporting surface (in the case of wall-mounted screens). 

You should also give attention to how you store the screen and avoid crumpling it up or hastily shoving it into a bag or box. Instead, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for storage; it should be neatly folded or rolled. 

Why Trust The Spruce?

Erica Puisis is a freelance writer for The Spruce, specializing in lifestyle products and home appliances. For this story, she utilized our firsthand testing insights for outdoor movie screens, including observations about ease of setup and take-down, screen quality, design and value. 

In addition, when working on this piece, she consulted an expert with a background in movie projector equipment to learn more about the most important features to look for when choosing an outdoor movie screen that is high-quality and user-friendly.

Our Experts:

• Billy Harrison , Product Manager, Mainstream Video Projectors at Optoma
• Marisa Viglione , senior editor at The Spruce
• Michelle Lau , editor at The Spruce

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Review: Zoe Kravitz and Channing Tatum align to 'Blink Twice' on the big screen

In a scene midway through "Blink Twice," an elderly woman working on the private island belonging to a tech bro billionaire doesn't speak a lick of English except for two ominous words that she utters with increasing bravado: "red rabbit." Anyone even peripherally dialed into film history or pop culture will make the immediate correlation to "redrum", the word little Danny Torrance writes on his bedroom wall, which, of course, is "murder" backwards. That realization ushers "The Shining" into its third-act bloodbath.

"Red rabbit" does sync with a plot twist in "Blink Twice", albeit not one as momentous as "redrum", but so goes a trope-filled horror thriller that certainly has no qualms in recycling plot devices or imagery central to its message. The salvaging is in loving admiration of those films that came before it, and, coupled with a few new and nifty images to add to the horror canon, it never feels totally stale. In lesser hands, with a less vigilant script, "Blink Twice" would certainly feel like a banal rip-off. For not even a two-hour runtime, “Blink Twice” feels substantial. It builds its characters and doesn’t jump the gun too quickly. It also doesn’t linger longer than it has to.

There are plenty of other memorable moments in "Blink Twice," like Channing Tatum's "I'm sorry" soliloquy in which he apologizes in rapt succession down a spiral of increasing hysteria. In fact, he's not unlike a heyday Jack Nicholson pumped with sugar (or whatever other white substance that may come to mind). It is hard to keep this review PG, given this is very much an R-rated movie, ticking every box the MPAA looks at to determine rating. Drugs play a mean role in this film as both the aggressor and the savior. Sex, namely of the non-consensual kind, also has an important place. But perhaps the greatest contributor to the R rating is the violence, specifically the assault on women.

Actress Zoë Kravitz makes her directorial debut with this film, and what an interesting one to both write and direct. Her leading lady is British actress Naomi Ackie who stars as Frida, an odd-jobs worker with bigger hopes and dreams. She and her roommate Jess (Alia Shawkat) take an assignment as waiters for a black-tie event hosted by tech mogul Slater (Channing Tatum, who is engaged to Kravitz IRL). He's a wide-grinned playboy who, following some media scrutiny, has stepped back from work to focus on therapy and his own healing journey. He also likes party, and along with his boy crew of hangers-on (Haley Joel Osment, Christian Slater, Simon Rex, Levon Hawke), Slater parties hardest on the remote island he owns and operates, thanks to his bumbling assistant, a surprise role for Geena Davis.

Step one for many great horror thrillers is to isolate the characters, and that is precisely what "Blink Twice" does. Frida and Jess join Slater's group on a whim, only to discover that clothing - matching white swimsuits and straw hats for the day, white goddess dresses for night - is provided, as are all food and drink. But the drugs take center stage from the very first night, causing the partakers to dance in the field, stare at the stars and lose any grips they had on reality. The film certainly likes to stew in its drug montages, maybe a little too long at times, but there is a reason for that.

Step two is to create a lead worth caring about, and Frida is certainly that. She has an untamable wildness in her expressions and an inner strength that makes her a protagonist we can't help but scream at the screen to protect. She is also naive and won over by the magnanimous opulence and grandeur that comes with Slater. Ackie plays both sides of the coin, and when the unveiling begins, she turns feral, a metamorphosis that is both exciting and expected, particularly from a strong woman like Kravitz.

There is no fun in spoiling the twist for potential viewers, but suffice it to write that there is some social commentary afoot. The trailers that show snippets of Ackie's wide-eyed shock, coupled with the obvious play of a black female lead up against a squadron of white men-of-a-certain-swagger brings to mind horror film auteur Jordan Peele, whose own brand of horror as a social statement has found legions of dedicated followers ( this reviewer included ).

As the days wear on, Frida and friends, including hard-as-nails survivalist reality star Sarah (Adria Arjona), big talker Camilla (Liz Caribel) and mellow-mannered burnout Heather (Trew Mullen), begin to feel the weight of their time on the island. It is the disappearance of Jess that causes Frida to question everything and investigate the mysterious room lined with little red gift bags and the locked cabinet holding the cell phones they were peer pressured to relinquish upon arrival.

From there, the mystery unfolds with horrific realization, and, ultimately, utter, take-them-by-the-balls joy. For a feature debut, Kravitz, who wrote the screenplay with E.T. Feigenbaum, makes not only a statement, but an enjoyable film for the masses. It's not a directorial debut like "Get Out," but "Blink Twice" will certainly cause others to give her a double take. Much like the empowering (and condemning) message in this film, it will be nearly impossible to ignore Kravitz from now on.

"Blink Twice" is in theaters now.

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