"Look Both Ways" Film Review

Director Wanuri Kahiu’s “Look Both Ways,” is a choose-your-own-adventure game in the form of yet another Netflix original movie. However, in a world bogged down by streaming services that release original movies what seems like every week, “Look Both Ways” is refreshing in its nature, taking the audience on two very different journeys.

Lili Reinhart (“Riverdale” star) plays protagonist Natalie Bennett, whose life diverges into two different storylines following spontaneous sex with her friend Gabe (“Top Gun: Maverick” star, Danny Ramirez). In one version, Natalie moves forward with her five-year plan that hinges on moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career in animation. In the other, she finds herself pregnant and the audience sees her experience life as a mother.

Reinhart delivers both versions of the character with authenticity and subtle nuances. She tackles the challenging task of playing one person in extremely different circumstances, never letting the audience feel as though they are watching a movie about two different women. Of course, the clothing choices and hairstyles serve to help the viewer discern which of Natalie’s realities is being shown. In her LA life, her outfits are youthful and bright, her hair long and wavy; in her motherhood life, the style leans heavily into the “mom” look, with frumpier clothing and an identity-crisis scene that culminates in a–you guessed it– “mom” haircut.

Obviously, the movie is not without its romantic strife. Natalie’s LA reality puts her on the path of meeting a charming animator named Jake (played by David Cornswet), whereas the pregnancy storyline puts her in a “will they or won’t they” scenario with Gabe, the father of their child. This is where a refreshing aspect of the movie emerges: there is no stereotypical love-triangle plot, no rooting for one relationship over the other because they exist independently of one another.

Though the movie comes across as a romantic dramedy, the romance takes a backseat at a certain point and focuses on Natalie and her career goals. This is where the theme of the movie not-so subtly slaps you in the face: the age-old “everything happens for a reason.” Corny? Absolutely. Yet, it effectively picks up the pace of the movie just as it begins to drag. Here is where the depth lies, and the full-circle moments begin to appear.

The closing scene, set to the very appropriate song choice “We Are Young” by Fun, leaves you reminiscing on Natalie’s journey from the beginning. There is no fated ending, no mention of destiny for how Natalie’s life is supposed to be. “Look Both Ways” has something that most movies do not: two different endings. While each ending may be a little too perfect, they nonetheless pack the punch that was intended: one decision really can alter the course of your entire life.