Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- tense
- gritty
- paranoid
- late night thriller viewing
- 1990s movie marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the premise, atmosphere, cast, and Madeleine Stowe’s tough central performance compelling, while many felt the convoluted mystery and far-fetched resolution weakened the film.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Emma’s newly restored sight does not immediately preserve everything she sees, delaying and destabilizing her recognition of the shadowy intruder.
Emma is independent, tough, and intelligent, and her blindness and partial sight shape how she evaluates evidence and challenges the police.
The Chicago setting, neighbor murder investigation, killer plot, and shadowy visual atmosphere create a distinctly urban neo-noir mood.
Emma, the police, and the audience must sort through uncertainty over whether the upstairs commotion was a murder or a distortion of her recovering sight.
Films like Blink, and why
Malice
Shared neo-noir atmosphere, investigative mystery, red herrings, and a vulnerable protagonist confronting a killer.
Sea of Love
Shared crime-thriller structure, urban paranoia, morally complicated characters, and escalating suspense.
The Girl on the Train
Shared Hitchcockian mystery mechanics, psychological uncertainty, and a protagonist whose perception drives the suspense.
Movie Details
- Director
- Michael Apted
- Release Date
- 1993-10-01
- Runtime
- 106 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (206)
Cast
- Madeleine Stowe
- Aidan Quinn
- James Remar
- Peter Friedman
- Bruce A. Young
- Laurie Metcalf
- Matt Roth
- Paul Dillon
- Michael P. Byrne
- Anthony Cannata
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Blink about?
- A newly sighted Chicago woman must determine whether her fractured perception has revealed a murder or concealed the killer.
- What is Blink like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Blink as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Blink violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Blink as moderate.
- What did critics think of Blink?
- Critics broadly found the premise, atmosphere, cast, and Madeleine Stowe’s tough central performance compelling, while many felt the convoluted mystery and far-fetched resolution weakened the film.
- Which films are like Blink?
- Films with a similar feel include Malice, Sea of Love, and The Girl on the Train.
- How long is Blink?
- Blink runs 106 minutes.
- Where can I watch Blink?
- In United States, Blink is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
