Blink Twice sparks fierce row as Channing Tatum horror slapped with trigger warning: 'Stop infantilising!'

The psychological horror stars Channing Tatum, Naomi Ackie and Alia Shawkat in leading roles with the Magic Mike star taking on the part of tech billionaire Slater King.

As the movie unravels and as Slater invites Ackie's cocktail waitress character Frida to his secluded and isolated private island, it soon becomes clear there's a sinister motivation at play.

In the UK, Blink Twice has been classified as suitable for 15 and over by the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) due to scenes of "sexual violence, strong bloody violence, threat, language, drug misuse".

In the USA, the film has been slapped with an R rating by the MPA (Motion Picture Association), similarly due to scenes of "strong violent content, sexual assault, drug use and language throughout, and some sexual references".

Rated R films is the USA - otherwise known as "restricted" - require anyone under 17 to be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian.

But keen to warn audiences about the contents of the film further, Amazon MGM Studios released a warning on its X page.

It reads: "Trigger Warning. We are proud to finally share Blink Twice with audiences in theaters worldwide this week. Blink Twice is a psychological thriller about the abuse of power.

"While this is a fictionalized movie, it contains mature themes and depictions of violence – including sexual violence. This may be upsetting or triggering for some viewers. For resources that offer support, visit BlinkTwiceResources.com."

pic.twitter.com/KQ1tKHpj90

— Amazon MGM Studios (@AmazonMGMStudio) August 21, 2024

The move to forewarn cinemagoers comes after the box office smash It Ends With Us failed to issue a trigger warning over its themes of domestic abuse, sparking controversy among some who went to see the movie.

But Amazon MGM's decision to give film fans the heads-up about the scenes has sparked a debate among many social media users who've claimed that classifications by regulatory bodies are enough.

Reacting to the trigger warning on X, one user fumed: "How about a trigger warning for those of us who are triggered by trigger warnings?

"Trigger warnings are infantilizing and turn personal responsibility and resilience on its head. Stop building a society of weak people please."

"No artist worth their salt issues trigger warnings. I can safely skip this one," a second said before a third critiqued: "A simple R rating would have sufficed."

"This movie is rated R. That’s the only f***ing warning needed," a fourth raged before a fifth sarcastically quipped: "Thank you so much for warning me that the new R-rated horror movie may be upsetting."

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• Jeremy Clarkson's eight-word Grand Tour farewell revealed as finale release date confirmed in new trailer
  
• Taylor Swift shares real reason for silence over Vienna terror threat: 'Tremendous guilt'
• Stacey Solomon fans defend star as body-shamers target holiday snaps: 'Disgustingly rude!'

"Are people this sensitive? Seriously?" a sixth questioned but there were plenty who praised the studio's decision to forewarn people.

One person hit back at the furore: "I can't believe people are getting triggered by a trigger warning. The comments under this post are so f***ing stupid. If you ever watched something on TV and before it started, it mentioned 'viewer discretion is advised', guess what? That was a trigger warning. Dumb f***s."

"I’m very happy I saw this before seeing this movie - and nonetheless I was still shocked," a second said. "Great film, blew my mind. Loved it. IMO, I’d put this in front of the DCP. I know somebody with trauma is gonna see this movie and run out the theater. I know it ruins the shock."

And a third encouraged: "Every film studio should do this when they are making a film with heavy themes." (sic)