About Look Both Ways
Look Both Ways (2022) presents a charming and thoughtful exploration of life's pivotal choices through a magical realist lens. The film follows Natalie (Lili Reinhart) on the eve of her college graduation, when a pregnancy test creates a fork in her life's path. In one reality, she becomes a mother, staying in her Texas hometown to raise her daughter while navigating young parenthood and a complicated relationship with the father. In the parallel timeline, she moves to Los Angeles to pursue her dream career as an animator, facing the competitive creative industry and new romantic possibilities.
Lili Reinhart delivers a nuanced dual performance, convincingly portraying both versions of Natalie with distinct emotional textures. The film's strength lies in its refusal to judge either path as superior, instead showing how fulfillment and struggle exist in both trajectories. Director Wanuri Kahiu brings a warm, visually engaging style to both realities, using color palettes and production design to subtly differentiate the worlds while maintaining emotional continuity.
What makes Look Both Ways particularly compelling is its celebration of female agency and the idea that there's no single 'right' life path. The supporting cast, including Danny Ramirez, Aisha Dee, and Luke Wilson, provide solid grounding in both narratives. While the film follows familiar rom-com structures, it elevates the genre with genuine emotional depth and smart observations about modern womanhood. For viewers seeking an uplifting, well-crafted story about life's possibilities, this Netflix original offers both entertainment and meaningful reflection on how our choices shape—but don't necessarily define—our happiness.
Lili Reinhart delivers a nuanced dual performance, convincingly portraying both versions of Natalie with distinct emotional textures. The film's strength lies in its refusal to judge either path as superior, instead showing how fulfillment and struggle exist in both trajectories. Director Wanuri Kahiu brings a warm, visually engaging style to both realities, using color palettes and production design to subtly differentiate the worlds while maintaining emotional continuity.
What makes Look Both Ways particularly compelling is its celebration of female agency and the idea that there's no single 'right' life path. The supporting cast, including Danny Ramirez, Aisha Dee, and Luke Wilson, provide solid grounding in both narratives. While the film follows familiar rom-com structures, it elevates the genre with genuine emotional depth and smart observations about modern womanhood. For viewers seeking an uplifting, well-crafted story about life's possibilities, this Netflix original offers both entertainment and meaningful reflection on how our choices shape—but don't necessarily define—our happiness.

















