Drew Barrymore tells Zoe Kravitz how substance abuse in Blink Twice made her feel guilty for her past alcohol problems

Drew Barrymore candidly shared how Zoe Kravitz’s new film Blink Twice made her reflect on her past struggles with alcohol. During a conversation with Kravitz on The Drew Barrymore Show on Tuesday, September 10, Barrymore revealed how the film, which tackles themes of substance abuse, resonated deeply with her personal journey to sobriety.

Barrymore, 49, told Kravitz,

"There's a lot about substances in the film. I was shocked to realize that part of my journey that I was looking to find, the trauma inside of me and what is it about, a big part of it was I used to be a blackout drinker."

The actress has been open about her previous struggles with alcohol and addiction, which began at a young age during her rise to stardom. She added that watching Blink Twice helped her begin to forgive herself for some of the past situations she put herself in.

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Drew Barrymore reflects on sobriety after watching Kravitz’s directorial debut

Drew Barrymore, in her emotional exchange with Kravitz, Barrymore shared that the film allowed her to confront feelings of shame that have followed her throughout her sobriety.

"Watching this film was an extraordinary journey for me to forgive myself for that because I've put myself in situations I shouldn't have put myself in," Drew Barrymore said. "And I felt so much shame about that, and I haven't had a drink in five years."

Drew Barrymore, who has been sober since 2018, expressed that the film touched on deeper issues of self-inflicted harm and how individuals grapple with the consequences of their actions. She told Kravitz that Blink Twice,

"Is not only a film about the things that can happen to us, but it made me think about the things we've done to ourselves."

Drew Barrymore has been vocal in recent years about her decision to quit drinking and her commitment to sobriety. During the interview, Barrymore hinted that the film had such a profound impact on her that she’s considering getting a snake tattoo as a reminder of how far she’s come, with the snake symbol being a recurring theme in the movie.

Kravitz, 35, responded thoughtfully, acknowledging that the themes in the film were meant to explore vulnerability.

"The substances were, I think, more of a way to get the characters to the most vulnerable place possible. When you let yourself go and you lose yourself, it's so easy for things to spiral out of control," Kravitz explained.

Blink Twice, Kravitz’s directorial debut, was released in theaters last month and stars her fiancé, Channing Tatum, as Slater King, a tech billionaire attempting to rehabilitate his public image. The thriller follows Slater as he invites a group of women, including waitress Frida (played by Naomi Ackie), to his private island, where dark and unexpected events unfold.

The film explores issues of power, vulnerability, and accountability, with Kravitz and co-writer E.T. Feigenbaum crafting a narrative that uses substances as a device to explore these deeper emotional states.

Kravitz elaborated on this during the interview, explaining that shame often follows individuals who find themselves in dangerous or compromising situations, making it difficult to process what has happened.

"There’s always that feeling or idea [of], ‘Well, you drank it, you got on the plane, you wore the short skirt,’ and it's just so much more complicated than that," Kravitz added, addressing the complexity of blame and guilt.

For Kravitz, Blink Twice has marked a significant milestone in her career, as the Big Little Lies star transitioned into directing and screenwriting. She and Tatum, who began dating after working together on the project, became engaged last year.

Blink Twice is currently showing in theaters, offering audiences a chance to experience the intense, emotional journey that left such a lasting impression on Drew Barrymore.