Blink Twice offers trigger warning notifying viewers of ‘sexual violence’  – as Blake Lively’s It Ends With Us faces backlash over marketing

Blink Twice offers trigger warning notifying viewers of 'sexual violence'  - as Blake Lively's It Ends With Us faces backlash over marketing

As a seasoned observer of the ever-changing landscape of Hollywood, I must say that the latest drama surrounding Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni is as captivating as it is unfortunate. Lively, a mother of four and a woman who has navigated the treacherous waters of Tinseltown with grace and poise, seems to be at the center of a storm this time.


The psychological thriller, titled “Blink Twice,” has given audiences a heads-up about the depiction of “sexual violence” within the movie.

Under the direction of Zoe Kravitz, the movie portrays the story of tech magnate Slater King, played by Channing Tatum. He invites cocktail server Frida, portrayed by Naomi Ackie, on a getaway to his secluded island. Yet, she starts doubting her perception of reality after a chain of peculiar occurrences unfold.

The warning was issued as Blake Lively faces criticism over her ‘tone-deaf’ approach to promoting her film It Ends With Us, a movie about domestic violence.

On their respective Instagram pages, both Blink Twice and Amazon MGM Studios issued a pre-release cautionary notice for the upcoming film on August 23rd.

“This week, we’re thrilled to unveil Blink Twice to cinema-goers globally,” the announcement kicked off.

Blink Twice offers trigger warning notifying viewers of 'sexual violence'  - as Blake Lively's It Ends With Us faces backlash over marketing

Blink Twice offers trigger warning notifying viewers of 'sexual violence'  - as Blake Lively's It Ends With Us faces backlash over marketing

“Blink Twice” – A Psychological Thriller Exploring Power Abuse:

‘This may be upsetting or triggering for some viewers. For resources that offer support, visit BlinkTwiceResources.com’.

As an ardent admirer, I find myself compelled to express my thoughts on the recent backlash towards Lively’s new movie, “It Ends With Us.” The film seems to have sparked controversy due to its unclear initial communication about the film’s core theme and its broader marketing strategy.

In an article for The Hollywood Reporter, Bridgette Stumpf – the founder and head of Network for Victim Recovery of DC – expressed her dismay about the movie not having readily available resources at its onset.

In a crowded theater on the movie’s premiere night, watching with a coworker, we both felt let down when the film ended because no assistance was provided to survivors right away as the credits began to roll. However, a message appeared during the end credits, albeit too late for many who had already left: “If you or someone you know is going through domestic violence, help is accessible. For more information and support, visit www.nomore.org.”

During the end credits of “It Ends With Us,” a resourceful message containing relevant data was presented, while the movie’s official Instagram account distributed a viewer’s guide filled with resources and facts about domestic violence.

In a few days following the movie’s premiere, Lively took to her Instagram Stories to discuss the topic further, sharing data related to the subject matter and providing information for a domestic violence hotline.

On the 23rd of August, I’ll be counting down the days until the release of “Blink Twice”! In a recent chat with People, our beloved stars, Kravitz and Ackie, shared some behind-the-scenes insights into the making of this movie.

During the tough scenes in the movie, Kravitz expressed that there were many discussions held.

Blink Twice offers trigger warning notifying viewers of 'sexual violence'  - as Blake Lively's It Ends With Us faces backlash over marketing

She mentioned that there were times when everyone in the group would have open discussions. They’d express their individual apprehensions, worries, and personal anecdotes.

On certain evenings, only men and women would gather separately for discussions, creating secure environments for each group. The focus wasn’t solely on the end result or final destination; it was about the journey towards understanding and growth that we embarked upon together. Each of us had our individual challenges to address, and this was an essential part of our process.

Ackie, finding the discussions “wonderful,” expressed that certain challenging moments, which left us emotionally drained, were similar to a heartfelt group hug.

She remarked, “It was incredibly memorable,” she stated. “Those instances will forever stay etched in my memory. What I hadn’t fully grasped earlier is why I chose acting as a career – it’s the camaraderie, I now understand. It’s about being with people you trust, collaborating to weave stories together, and having faith that people won’t ridicule us.”

Blink Twice offers trigger warning notifying viewers of 'sexual violence'  - as Blake Lively's It Ends With Us faces backlash over marketing
Blink Twice offers trigger warning notifying viewers of 'sexual violence'  - as Blake Lively's It Ends With Us faces backlash over marketing

Meanwhile, Lively has encountered criticism for being perceived as downplaying domestic violence and presenting the movie as if it were a romantic comedy.

The movie is adapted from a novel penned by Colleen Hoover and primarily revolves around the narrative of Lily Bloom, acted by Blake Lively, as she finds herself entangled in a harmful romance with a character named Ryle Kincaid, played by Justin Baldoni.

In early August, a lively conversation between Jenny Slate, Isabela Ferrer, and an author took place during a Q&A session. Contrary to expectations, as they discussed their subject matter (which was not about abusive relationships), they were criticized for coming across as too casual or carefree.

Blink Twice offers trigger warning notifying viewers of 'sexual violence'  - as Blake Lively's It Ends With Us faces backlash over marketing

Under fire for being perceived as insensitive, Lively has faced extensive criticism following the movie’s premiere. More and more interviews are emerging, revealing conduct that some viewers have deemed harsh or unkind.

There have also been swirling rumours of a feud between Lively and director Baldoni. 

Earlier, according to TMZ, it had been claimed that during the filming of a scene, Baldoni supposedly made derogatory comments about Lively’s weight, suggesting she was heavy so he could easily lift her up.

Blink Twice offers trigger warning notifying viewers of 'sexual violence'  - as Blake Lively's It Ends With Us faces backlash over marketing
Blink Twice offers trigger warning notifying viewers of 'sexual violence'  - as Blake Lively's It Ends With Us faces backlash over marketing

As a lifestyle expert, I’d like to share some behind-the-scenes insights: Before filming that intense lifting scene, I personally had to work closely with a skilled trainer due to some ongoing back issues I was managing at the time.

Reportedly, Baldoni inquired about Lively’s weight from the trainer and requested assistance in setting up a workout routine to protect against potential injuries in his back area.

When Lively learned about Baldoni’s comments, she allegedly felt fat-shamed by him.

In February 2023, Lively joyfully gave birth to her fourth child alongside her spouse, Ryan Reynolds. Some reports revealed to TMZ that the comment particularly affected the actress.

TMZ sources also cited another alleged instance that bothered Lively on the set.

In a reported incident, the pair were shooting a passionate kissing sequence, and it’s said that Lively felt Baldwin held the kiss for more time than was required according to her perspective.

TopMob reached out to representatives for Baldoni and Lively for comment. 

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2024-08-23 01:34

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