The gifted actress Zoë Kravitz makes her directorial debut with “Blink Twice,” which is now in theaters, and makes it more than clear that she knows what she is doing.

And what’s even better: she knows how to have incredibly crazy fun while doing it.

The thriller, which combines fantasy island romance with a menacing “Get Out” atmosphere, centers on actor Channing Tatum, who is also Kravitz’s fiancé, as deposed tech tycoon Slater King, a “top-up” who enjoys inviting pretty people to his tropical island. Sex and drugs flow freely on the island, while an eerie energy creeps in like the yellow snakes that slither around the property.

In this #MeToo thriller, Slater becomes obsessed with Frida, a New York waitress and wannabe nail technician played by a gorgeous Naomi Ackie, who is so good as Whitney Houston in the film “I Wanna Dance with Somebody.”

Frida is delighted when she receives an invitation to accompany Slater to his private paradise. They had just met at a fundraiser where she worked as a waitress. But Frida doesn’t let her chance pass her by and flies to the island with her roommate Jess (Alia Shawkat). What could possibly go wrong?

If you’ve seen “Glass Onion” or “The Menu,” you know the answer is “many.” But Kravitz, who co-wrote the insidiously clever screenplay with ET Feigenbaum, keeps surprising, right up to the shocking ending.

Kravitz, the daughter of rock icon Lenny Kravitz and “Cosby” actress Lisa Bonet, grew up watching the rich enjoy their privilege, and that insider knowledge helps set the scene and the mood. Frida and Jess are living their dream. But Jess’s quip – “Do you think the human sacrifice happens before or after dinner?” – also hints at trouble ahead.

To avoid spoilers, I’ll stick to the essentials of what you need to know as Slater introduces Frida and Jess to his entourage, including his right-hand man Vic (Christian Slater), top chef Cody (Simon Rex), nerd Tom (Haley Joel Osment), techie Lucas (Levon Hawke), therapist Rich (Kyle MacLachlan) and nurse Stacy (Geena Davis). This cast knows how to make every second count.

Among the women Slater uses to decorate the mansion, which looks like a tropical version of the hotel from “The Shining,” are Camilla (Liz Caribel), Heather (Trew Mullen) and Sarah (Adria Arjona), a reality TV star (think “Survivor”) played like a feminist force of nature by Arjona – the scene-stealer who caused a stir in “Hit Man” with Glen Powell.

Tatum also gets high marks for the dangerous charm he brings to Slater, a hypocrite on a media apology tour who the lovestruck Frida willingly swallows until she wakes up with dirt under her fingernails and no memory of what she did the night before.

Oops! But whatever Slater and his minions are up to, Kravitz — buoyed by the powerful performances of Ackie and Tatum — makes sure we never lose sight of the fact that she’s making a film about women who stick together when the going gets tough.

Kravitz has a playful personality, but she doesn’t play around. This young director is no baby. She knows how a film should look, feel and perform, and I can’t wait to see what she does next.

Now just watch the gripping, socially critical film “Blink Twice” and see how Kravitz uses this ticking time bomb to skewer gender, racial and class inequalities. She’s the real one.