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Look Both Ways (2022) movie poster

Plot Summary

Look Both Ways (2022) Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Release, runtime and language
2022 · 110 min · English
Echo score 49
JustWatch #11,721 1
Directed by
Wanuri Kahiu
Starring
Luke Wilson, Danny Ramirez, David Corenswet, Aisha Dee, Amanda Grace Jenkins, Andrea Savage

Natalie's college graduation leads her to experience two distinct and unexpected alternate realities. In one, she embraces motherhood and remains in her hometown, while the other sees her pursuing her artistic ambitions in Los Angeles. As she explores these diverging paths, she grapples with questions of love, self-discovery, and the challenges of following her dreams, ultimately learning about the choices that shape a life.

On this page (7)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 What happens: full plot
  3. 3 Plot questions answered
  4. 4 How it ends
  5. 5 Movie threads
  6. 6 Movies like Look Both Ways
  7. 7 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Look Both Ways (2022)

Where can you watch Look Both Ways? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Netflix and Netflix Standard: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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Full plot summary · contains spoilers

What Happens in Look Both Ways: Full Plot Summary

The whole story of Look Both Ways (2022) explained, from the opening scene to the final frame: every key event, every twist and what it all adds up to. Read it as a quick recap before the sequel, to check a scene you missed, or to finally understand what really happened.

On the eve of her graduation from the University of Texas, Natalie (played by Lili Reinhart) takes a daring step by deciding to have a night of intimacy with her friend Gabe (Danny Ramirez). An aspiring artist, Natalie dreams of creating her own film someday. However, the outcome of a pregnancy test she takes the following day sends her life spiraling into two distinct parallel realities.

In the scenario where Natalie's test comes back positive, she is forced to move back in with her parents, Tina (Andrea Savage) and Rick (Luke Wilson), who are not exactly thrilled about her situation—especially when Gabe unexpectedly proposes. Struggling with boredom, Natalie grapples with the demands of motherhood after her daughter is born. Although her parents urge her to follow her dreams in the field of animation, Natalie battles the internal conflict of losing her identity while trying to embrace her role as a new mother.

Conversely, in the reality where Natalie's test is negative, she steps into a vibrant new life in Los Angeles alongside her best friend, Cara (Aisha Dee). Eager to kickstart their careers, Natalie pursues a position as an assistant to animator Lucy Galloway (Nia Long). After a slightly awkward incident where she attends a party hosted by Lucy without an invitation, Natalie’s persistence pays off when she is offered the job. There, she encounters Jake (David Corenswet), and the two quickly establish a supportive partnership as they chase their ambitions—Jake aspiring to make a name for himself as a producer.

In the reality where Natalie is pregnant, challenges arise as she and Gabe navigate co-parenting their daughter, Rosie. While Gabe wishes for Natalie to move in with him, her feelings conflict; she encourages him to explore dating others. This leads to Gabe meeting Miranda, stirring jealousy within Natalie. A trip to Los Angeles to see Cara results in an unsettling call about Rosie being left with Miranda's sister. It is during this visit that she runs into Jake again, whose presence gives her pause as she learns of Gabe's engagement plans with Miranda. Turning to her career for solace, Natalie immerses herself in her work as a coping mechanism.

Meanwhile, in the other reality, as she grows closer to Jake, the couple contemplates cohabitating. However, their relationship faces a test when Jake secures a year-long job in Nova Scotia, prompting an attempt at a long-distance relationship. Unfortunately, Natalie's frustration mounts as Jake's hectic schedule leaves little time for them. When Jake expresses his sincerity in pursuing their future, Natalie decides it’s time to reinvest in her creativity after receiving critical feedback from Lucy.

Gradually, both realities bring Natalie closer to a significant career milestone. She gets selected for the prestigious South by Southwest film festival, where she finds herself either presenting a short film or participating on a panel alongside Lucy. A serendipitous encounter with Gabe’s band at a bar also highlights the juxtaposition of her two lives. In one reality, Jake surprises her with his dedication by attending the screening of her film, while in another, Gabe reveals that he has ended things with Miranda due to his lingering feelings for her.

As both narratives reach their climax, Natalie and Jake stroll the streets with renewed happiness while in the alternate reality, Natalie and Gabe engage in an earnest discussion about a potential romantic relationship for the sake of their child and mutual affection. Each reality culminates at Natalie's sorority house where she first took the pregnancy test, symbolizing the crossroads of her life.

Ultimately, irrespective of the path taken, Natalie confronts the mirror, whispering reassurances to herself confirming that she is indeed okay.

Last updated: November 15, 2024 at 18:58

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Plot questions answered

Look Both Ways Plot Explained: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask most about Look Both Ways (2022): what happens in the confusing scenes, why the characters do what they do, the twists, hidden details and what the ending means. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Why does Natalie decide to spend the night with Gabe before graduation?

On the eve of her college graduation, Natalie chooses to have a one-night stand with her friend Gabe as a spontaneous, defiant act to mark the end of her college chapter. This decision stems from her desire to do something daring and unexpected before entering the adult world, setting in motion the central pregnancy test that branches her story into two parallel realities.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the film, Natalie is shown contemplating her future and feeling uncertain about what comes next after graduation, hinting at her need for a meaningful moment before leaving college.

  • natalie
  • gabe
  • graduation
  • one-night stand
  • pregnancy test
Q2

Why does Gabe propose to Natalie after learning she's pregnant?

Gabe proposes to Natalie in the reality where her pregnancy test is positive because he feels a sense of responsibility toward her and their unborn child. Though his proposal is well-intentioned, Natalie struggles with the timing and pressure, feeling conflicted about whether she truly wants to commit to a relationship based on circumstance rather than love.

Foreshadowing: Gabe's caring personality is established early on when he supports Natalie during her graduation week, showing his tendency to prioritize her wellbeing.

  • gabe
  • proposal
  • pregnancy
  • responsibility
  • marriage
Q3

Why does Natalie feel conflicted about becoming a mother?

Natalie struggles with motherhood because she fears losing her identity and suppressing her dreams of becoming an animator. While she loves her daughter Rosie, she grapples with feeling trapped in a life she didn't plan for, especially when her parents encourage her to pursue her career ambitions.

Foreshadowing: The film establishes Natalie's artistic ambitions early through her dream of creating her own film, which creates tension with her new maternal responsibilities.

  • natalie
  • motherhood
  • identity
  • dreams
  • rosie
  • parenting
Q4

Why does Natalie travel to Los Angeles in the pregnant reality?

Natalie visits Los Angeles in the pregnant reality to reconnect with her best friend Cara and escape the monotony of her life back home. During this trip, she receives unsettling news about her daughter being left with Miranda's sister, which forces her to confront her responsibilities as a mother while also confronting her feelings for Jake.

Foreshadowing: The contrast between Natalie's two lives is established early, with LA representing her unfulfilled career aspirations in the pregnant timeline.

  • natalie
  • los angeles
  • car
  • ja e
  • rosie
  • pregnant reality
Q5

Why does Jake's job in Nova Scotia strain his relationship with Natalie?

Jake's year-long job opportunity in Nova Scotia creates tension because the demanding schedule leaves little time for him to maintain a meaningful connection with Natalie. Despite his sincere efforts to pursue their future together, the long-distance dynamic frustrates Natalie, who feels neglected and uncertain about their relationship's direction.

Foreshadowing: The film establishes both Natalie and Jake as ambitious individuals early on, which sets the stage for career conflicts to impact their relationship.

  • jake
  • nova scotia
  • long-distance
  • career
  • relationship tension
Q6

Why does Natalie get selected for South by Southwest in both realities?

Both narrative paths ultimately lead Natalie to the same professional milestone because her core talent and drive remain consistent regardless of her personal circumstances. Whether as a mother or a pursuing artist, she creates work that earns recognition, and the festival appearance represents her achieving her dream of being a filmmaker.

Foreshadowing: The parallel structure ensures both versions of Natalie pursue their creative ambitions, with Lucy's mentorship appearing in the non-pregnant timeline and her parents' encouragement in the pregnant one.

  • south by southwest
  • festival
  • natalie
  • career milestone
  • film festival
Q7

Why does the film end at the sorority house where Natalie took the pregnancy test?

The film returns to the sorority house at the climax because it represents the exact moment Natalie's life diverged into two paths. By returning to this symbolic location in both realities, the story emphasizes that no matter which choice she had made, she arrives at the same place of self-realization and acceptance.

Foreshadowing: The pregnancy test scene is introduced as the pivotal moment that splits Natalie's story, making the sorority house the natural symbolic endpoint.

  • sorority house
  • pregnancy test
  • ending
  • crossroads
  • parallel realities
Q8

What does the mirror scene at the end of the movie mean?

The mirror scene where Natalie whispers "I'm okay" to herself represents her ultimate acceptance of whichever life path she follows. Regardless of whether she chose motherhood or a career, she affirms that she will be fine, letting go of the fear and uncertainty that plagued her throughout both realities.

Foreshadowing: Natalie's internal conflict about being "okay" with her choices is hinted at throughout both storylines as she grapples with regret and possibility.

  • mirror
  • okay
  • self-acceptance
  • affirmation
  • ending meaning
Q9

Why does Gabe break up with Miranda in the pregnant reality?

Gabe ends his engagement to Miranda because he realizes he still has lingering feelings for Natalie. His realization comes during Natalie's South by Southwest appearance, where he sees her pursuing her dreams and reconnects emotionally with the mother of his child.

Foreshadowing: Earlier tension is established when Natalie feels jealous upon learning Gabe is dating Miranda, hinting that unresolved feelings exist between Natalie and Gabe.

  • gabe
  • miranda
  • break up
  • feelings
  • natalie
Q10

How do the two parallel storylines in the movie connect?

The two parallel storylines connect through recurring elements including Natalie's career achievements, her encounters with both Gabe and Jake, and her emotional journey toward self-acceptance. Key moments like the South by Southwest festival and encounters with Gabe's band create symmetry between the timelines, showing that both versions of Natalie are ultimately pursuing the same goals of love and fulfillment.

Foreshadowing: The film uses similar visual motifs and character interactions across both timelines to create thematic connections between the two realities.

  • parallel timelines
  • connection
  • similarities
  • two realities
  • overlap

Ending explained

What Happens at the End of Look Both Ways?

How Look Both Ways (2022) ends, in short: the final scene, the last twist and what it means for the characters. The full ending explained, with every spoiler, lives on its own page.

Read the full ending explained

In the ending of Look Both Ways, the movie leaves us with a thought-provoking ambiguity. After both versions of Natalie, one who becomes a mother (Natalie Blue) and one who does not (Natalie Pink), find success in their respective career and personal journeys, they meet at the festival and reconcile their lives. They go into a bathroom, look into a mirror, and boost each other's confidence by affirming that everything will be okay. In this moment, we see a glimpse of a third Natalie — still sitting and waiting for her pregnancy test results. This powerful image opens up several interpretations. One possibility is that the entire story has been a kind of imagined or mental rehearsal by the original Natalie in her moment of uncertainty, envisioning two different futures for herself. Another interpretation is that these two realities are actual parallel lives, and what we see at the end might be a glimpse into multiple potential futures, emphasizing that countless versions of her could exist simultaneously. The third theory suggests it’s simply a symbolic way of showing her hope and resilience, implying that regardless of which path she takes, she will find a way to be okay. Ultimately, the ending reflects on the unpredictability of life and the importance of staying hopeful, regardless of the choices ahead. It leaves viewers pondering which version is real—or if perhaps both—and reinforces the idea that no matter what happens, personal growth and hope remain constants in life's uncertain journey.

Look Both Ways ending explained in full

Movie threads

More Movies Like Look Both Ways, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Look Both Ways tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Parallel Lives Movies like Look Both Ways

Alternative realities that thoughtfully explore life's pivotal choices and their consequences. Explore films like Look Both Ways that use parallel narratives to explore life choices. If you enjoyed seeing Natalie's alternate realities, you'll find similar thoughtful dramas and comedies about roads not taken and self-discovery through different life paths.

  • contemplative
  • hopeful
  • introspective
  • relatable
  • emotionally resonant
  • thought-provoking
  • Tone: hopeful, contemplative
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically follow a character at a crossroads, splitting into two or more distinct timelines that explore different outcomes of a key decision. The narrative structure allows for direct comparison of life paths, often highlighting that fulfillment can be found in unexpected ways, with the journey focusing on self-discovery rather than a single 'correct' answer.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped together because they share a unique narrative structure centered on exploring alternate realities or lifetimes. They foster a contemplative mood, blend drama with lighter moments, and ultimately offer a hopeful perspective on life's unpredictable journey and the value of self-acceptance.

Hopeful Coming-of-Age Movies like Look Both Ways

Gentle stories about young adults finding their way, filled with relatable struggles and optimism. Discover uplifting coming-of-age stories similar to Look Both Ways. If you liked Natalie's journey of self-discovery, you'll enjoy these movies about young adults navigating life, love, and career ambitions, all with a feel-good, hopeful vibe.

  • hopeful
  • warm
  • uplifting
  • feel-good
  • relatable
  • introspective
  • Tone: hopeful, warm
  • Pacing: steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a protagonist, often in their twenties, as they grapple with defining their future. Conflicts are primarily internal or interpersonal, revolving around career ambitions, romantic relationships, and forging a personal identity. The arc is one of gradual growth and self-acceptance, concluding with a sense of optimistic resolution and the character feeling 'okay' with their place in the world.

Why they belong together: These films are connected by their central theme of hopeful self-discovery in early adulthood. They share a medium emotional weight, balancing life's anxieties with a comforting core. The tone is consistently warm and uplifting, the pacing is steady, and the focus remains on relatable, character-driven dilemmas.

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Every angle

Look Both Ways (2022) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Look Both Ways in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning, the ending explained and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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