Netflix's Look Both Ways is another “what if?” romantic comedy, as it explores how one decision can change the trajectory of someone’s life and, in the end, how neither path is necessarily the right one. Look Both Ways was released on August 17, 2022, and quickly found a place on the list of Netflix’s top 10 movies. The hit rom-com has been compared to Sliding Doors for its separate parallel realities and was praised for its message concerning fate.

Look Both Ways is directed by Wanuri Kahiu and stars Lili Reinhart, Danny Ramirez, David Corenswet, Aisha Dee, Andrea Savage, and Luke Wilson. Reinhart plays Natalie Bennet, a young woman who feels queasy after a one-night stand with high school friend Gabe (Ramirez). She takes a pregnancy test, the results of which cause her life to split into two different paths: one where she follows her five-year plan and moves to Los Angeles, and the other where she moves back home with her parents to raise her child with Gabe.

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Despite poor reviews of Look Both Ways, Reinhart’s performance has been praised considerably, and audience reactions have been much better than critics’ opinions. Look Both Ways ends in a feel-good manner with both multiversal versions of Natalie finding the right path for their circumstances in life. The ending shows the audience that plans do not come easy, but they will be worth it when they do arise. Look Both Ways ties up nicely at the end in true feel-good fashion but leaves some broader questions about Natalie and her two lives.

Which One Of Natalie's Realities Is Real?

Look both ways nteflix Natalie

Look Both Ways switches between Natalie’s two realities throughout the movie and, as it nears the end, shows both paths following a similar route. In true MCU multiverse style, Natalie gets a taste of her other life, such as when she visits her L.A. friend Cara (Dee) and briefly meets her other self's love interest, Jake. Although other characters have the same lives in both of Natalie’s realities — excluding her respective romantic partners, who are obviously directly affected — they also tend to follow similar paths in both. For example, Cara still goes to L.A. in both versions and is successful in her job.

Only Natalie’s life has two different routes, yet it is questionable whether only one of them is real or if either of Natalie’s lives happened. However, the ending scene shows both versions of Natalie returning to the house where she took the pregnancy test, each telling herself that she is okay and leaving with her respective partner. Ending Look Both Ways in this manner shows that both of Natalie’s lives did happen, especially because the audience is never shown the result of the pregnancy test, and the movie puts across the message that either life would’ve been the right one.

Was One Of Natalie’s Lives Better Than The Other?

Look Both Ways; Netflix; Lili Reinhart; Natalie Bennet

The Look Both Ways ending sends the message that neither path was better than the other, and what would’ve worked for the Natalie who moved back home with a child would not have been good for the Natalie who moved to L.A. On the one hand, Natalie had a strict five-year plan to move to L.A., as she was keen to start her animation career. Being pregnant massively interrupted this plan, and it could be argued that Natalie’s life in L.A. was the better one because it was what she originally wanted. However, even in L.A., her life didn’t go how she expected it to, and she learned to give up control (a theme also explored recently in Netflix's Love in the Villa). So, even though it diverted from her plan, neither life was shown to be better than the other as they both put Natalie at the exact point she needed to be in to have her animations shown at a festival. They were different, but Look Both Ways taught Natalie the same fundamental lessons.

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Was Gabe Or Jake Better For Natalie?

Netflix; Lili Reinhart; Gabe; Jake

Natalie had ups and downs in both relationships in Look Both Ways. Natalie and Gabe, despite many romantic moments, decided not to pursue anything for the sake of their child. But in true rom-com style, after a near marriage and a declaration of “she isn’t you," Natalie decided to take the chance. However, Gabe (whom audiences will recognize from Danny Ramirez's role in Top Gun: Maverick) doesn’t have anything to do with Natalie’s L.A. life except for them briefly running into each other as friends at the end.

By including this in the final moments, Look Both Ways shows how Gabe and Natalie were right for each other only in one timeline. In the L.A. timeline, not only is Jake essential for Natalie’s career development, but Gabe is successful with his original band, which shows how Natalie impacted his career. Gabe and Jake were only right for the Natalie they were with and would not have suited the other version, who had different plans and views on life.

The Real Meaning Of Look Both Ways’ Ending

Netflix; Lili Reinhart

Look Both Ways refrains from telling the audience the result of the pregnancy test because its aim is to show how there is no correct path in life. Lili Reinhart (who is best known for her role in the cast of Riverdale) perfectly plays Natalie's type A personality, for whom having plans derailed is a nightmare, but she still ends up where she needs to be. Look Both Ways takes the “what if?” scenario and shows the audience that life not going as expected is a blessing in disguise, even if L.A. Natalie’s plans are derailed as she struggles to find a job.

The real meaning of Look Both Ways’ ending is that mistakes, tough decisions, and terrible days have to happen to be able to reap the rewards. Many lives were affected by Natalie’s results, but Look Both Ways shows that they all ended up where they needed to be. Look Both Ways wrapped up neatly at the end (unlike Netflix's Echoes ending), and Reinhart’s Natalie showed viewers that things will go their way when they need to.