Look Both Ways concludes on a poignant note: both versions of Natalie eventually find their way back to a mirror, telling themselves, "You're okay." It’s a comforting message for a generation obsessed with optimizing every life choice. The film suggests that there is no singular "correct" version of a life—only the one you are currently living and the work you put into it.
The film's visual language helps distinguish the two worlds through color palettes—warm, earthy tones for the domestic life in Austin and cooler, vibrant blues and purples for the urban hustle of Los Angeles. This subtle storytelling reinforces the idea that Natalie's identity remains the constant, regardless of her environment. Conclusion Look Both Ways Romance, Drama, ComГ©dia 2022 1h ...
At its core, the movie is less about the romance and more about the resilience of the self. The "Drama" and "Comedy" tags are well-earned; the Austin timeline provides a grounded look at the sacrifices of unplanned parenthood, while the L.A. timeline captures the grueling reality of "making it" in a competitive industry. Look Both Ways concludes on a poignant note:
The 2022 Netflix film Look Both Ways , starring Lili Reinhart, is a refreshing entry in the "what if" subgenre of romantic dramedies. Directed by Wanuri Kahiu, the film uses a dual-timeline narrative to explore the divergent paths of Natalie Bennett’s life based on a single moment: the result of a pregnancy test on the night of her college graduation. The Parallel Paths This subtle storytelling reinforces the idea that Natalie's
Unlike traditional rom-coms that focus solely on the "right" choice, Look Both Ways treats both trajectories with equal dignity. It avoids the trope of punishing the protagonist for a specific path, instead suggesting that while the challenges differ—diapers and domesticity versus career setbacks and professional loneliness—growth is inevitable in both. Themes of Agency and Fate
The film’s central conceit splits Natalie’s reality into two distinct worlds. In one, the test is positive, and she returns to her hometown of Austin to navigate the complexities of young motherhood and a shifting relationship with her friend, Gabe. In the other, the test is negative, and she moves to Los Angeles with her best friend to pursue her dream career in animation, eventually finding a romantic spark with a colleague named Jake.