Look Both Ways

Look Both Ways

Year: 2022

Runtime: 110 min

Language: English

Director: Wanuri Kahiu

Echo Score: 49
DramaComedyRomance

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.

Look Both Ways (2022) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Look Both Ways (2022) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the quiet moments before a life‑changing milestone, Natalie stands on the brink of her university graduation in Texas, her dreams of filmmaking humming just beneath the surface. Surrounded by a close‑knit circle of friends and family—Gabe, a steady presence from her past, and Cara, her ever‑encouraging best friend—the world feels both familiar and ripe with possibility. The atmosphere is warm and introspective, a small‑town backdrop that hints at larger horizons beyond its borders.

A single, seemingly ordinary decision sends Natalie into a pair of parallel possibilities, each defined by a different answer to a pregnancy test. In one thread, she returns home to the supportive yet demanding embrace of her parents, Tina and Rick, confronting the sudden responsibilities of motherhood while still yearning to nurture her artistic voice. In the other, she leaps to Los Angeles, stepping into the vibrant, fast‑paced creative scene where she seeks mentorship from Lucy Galloway and a budding partnership with Jake, a fellow dreamer navigating his own path in the industry. Both realities pulse with the same core dilemma: how to balance love, ambition, and self‑discovery when the future splits in two.

The film’s tone weaves gentle humor with heartfelt drama, inviting the audience to feel the quiet tension of “what‑if” while celebrating the resilience of a young woman charting her own course. Through Natalie’s dual journeys, the story explores the universal pull between staying rooted and pursuing the unknown, suggesting that every choice, no matter how divergent, contributes to the mosaic of who we become. The mood remains hopeful and inquisitive, leaving viewers eager to see which version of herself she ultimately embraces.

Last Updated: August 09, 2025 at 21:21

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

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.

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Narrative Summary

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 These Movies?

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.

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Narrative Summary

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 These Movies?

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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Look Both Ways Summary

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Look Both Ways Summary

Look Both Ways Timeline

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Look Both Ways Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Look Both Ways

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Look Both Ways

Look Both Ways Ending Explained

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More About Look Both Ways

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