Look Both Ways

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