Look Both Ways Offers Two Parallel Universes and A Whole Lot Of Hope

In Netflix’s Look Both Ways, Lili Reinhart plays college graduate and aspiring illustrator Natalie who is focused on her five-year plan for success. But in the aftermath of a hook up with her best guy friend Gabe (Danny Ramirez), her life splits into two timelines of what could happen next. In one universe, she sets off to Los Angeles with her best friend Cara (Aisha Dee). There, she meets her new boyfriend Jake (David Corenswet) and gets a job as an assistant working for her animation idol. In the other timeline, she finds out she’s pregnant and moves back home with her parents. She puts her animation dreams, friendships, and potential romance with Gabe on hold to focus on being a mom. Both Natalie’s push through struggles — from unexpected motherhood to putting all your energy into someone else’s vision — to find her most authentic voice in animation.

Reinhart brings sincerity and relatability to her dual role as Natalie, while Dee does her best with limited material to work with as her best friend. Full of encouragement and support, Ramirez and Corenswet are great romantic interests in the film. It can be scary to think about where you could’ve ended up in life if you made a different decision. Another film would bring us back to Natalie’s pivot point and show us what a mistake one of these timelines was, but the film refreshingly doubles down on hope and the idea that no matter what path you are on, you’ll be okay. The film has an infectious optimism in that sense and encourages taking the time to find your voice and put energy into building your own dream.

Look Both Ways is streaming on Netflix.