Have you ever wondered what would happen if the most pivotal moment of your life had gone the other way? The new Netflix film Look Both Ways does exactly that. Natalie (Lili Reinhart) is in for the ride of her life when she takes a pregnancy test right as she graduates from college. Viewers get to watch the two paths her life could take depending on the test results, both stories (hopefully) giving her everything she needs in life.

Reinhart’s casting was confirmed in March 2021 by The Hollywood Reporter. The outlet also confirmed Wanuri Kahiu as the film’s director. Kahiu is known for her film From a Whisper, a Kenyan drama that earned her five African Movie Academy Awards, including Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Picture. She is also behind Rafiki, the first Kenyan film to screen at the Cannes Film Festival. Look Both Ways’ screenplay was written by April Prosser, her first feature film. Reinhart serves as an executive producer alongside Alyssa Rodrigues (Along for the Ride), with Jessica Malanaphy (Sinister, Dark Skies), Eric Newman (Spiderhead, Narcos), and Bryan Unkeless (The Hunger Games, Dollface) serving as producers.

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Take a seat and prepare for wherever life is going to take us. Here’s what you need to know about Look Both Ways.

Look Both Ways: The Plot

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As Natalie is graduating from college, she’s about to hit a crossroads. A fun hookup with a friend has resulted in her taking a pregnancy test at a party. The path her life will take will come down to the results of the test. Look Both Ways takes audiences down both paths, seeing where Natalie’s life ends regardless of the outcome.

If her test is positive, it looks like she and Gabe (Danny Ramirez) head to Austin. From the trailer, they are telling a set of parents about the pregnancy. The plot synopsis confirms Austin is her hometown, so it might be her parents they’re spilling the secret to. As she gives birth to their child, a happy little family forms for her and Gabe in Texas. If her test is negative, she heads off with her friend (Aisha Dee) to Los Angeles and lands a job under her idol Lucy Galloway (Nia Long). A new relationship blossoms with a coworker played by David Corenswet.

To be clear, this film isn’t part of Netflix’s interactive lineup. The audience isn’t picking which path Natalie is going down; they are seeing both play out over the span of several years. The synopsis makes it seem like the film isn’t going to favor one path over another, which is great. Viewers should see a happy story play out no matter what the results of the test are.

Showing Natalie having a happy ending no matter how her life turns out reinforces the message that everything in life happens for a reason. Just because it isn’t what you thought it would be doesn’t mean you won’t still have the same chances and happy moments, which is a great story to see on screen.

“In both journeys, Natalie experiences life-changing love, pursues her dream career as an artist, and rediscovers herself.

Look Both Ways: The Cast

Lili Reinhart stars as Natalie. Audiences may recognize the actress from her breakout role in The CW’s Riverdale, where she portrays Betty. She is also known for her films Hustlers and Chemical Hearts. Danny Ramirez is Gabe, the friend she has a baby with. He’s recently been in Top Gun: Maverick and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. David Corenswet is Natalie’s love interest as she starts her new job in Los Angeles. The actor previously worked with Netflix on The Politician and Hollywood.

Additional cast includes Aisha Dee (The Bold Type) as Natalie’s friend, Andrea Savage (Veep), Luke Wilson (Legally Blonde, Stargirl) as Rick, Nia Long (NCIS: Los Angeles, Empire) as Lucy Galloway, Sahara Ale (Run Hide Fight), and Sarah J. Bartholomew.

Release Date

The film will be available on Netflix starting August 17, 2022.

Everything Else We Know

The film was initially called Plus/Minus, a reference to the pregnancy test that changes Natalie’s life, as reported in Reinhart’s casting announcement from The Hollywood Reporter. It’s unclear when the film’s name changed, as initial filming wrapped under the original title, based on an Instagram post from Reinhart. Plus/Minus was still in use when reshoots happened in early 2022, based on a report from Hollywood North Buzz, so it’s likely the name changed sometime during the late post-production stages.

While you wait for Look Both Ways to hit the streaming service, check out another Netflix film about one moment changing everything.

“Small Victory Productions will tell stories that explore the complexities of young adulthood – queer, diverse and inclusive of everyone.”