Look Away (2018) is a Dark Psychological Thriller

I wonder if my reflection could take my place for a day.

Look Away is a 2018 psychological thriller film. Maria is a shy and introverted high school student. One night, she discovers a supernatural mirror where her reflection talks to her. Making a deal with her alternate personality Airam, they switch lives only for her alternate identity to do sinister things.

Look Away spends too much time dictating what its main character gets away with rather than exploring the dark undertones of the story. With a suspenseful atmosphere, would you let your reflection take over your life?

India Eisely’s performance is the best part of Look Away. Eisely showcases a range of acting. Maria is a shy high school student who is tormented by her peers, ridiculed by her father, and cast aside by her one friend.

Eisley also plays Maria’s doppleganger, Airam. Eisley switched personalities into an ominous and aggressive figure. Airam represents her inner desires and repressed emotions.

Jason Isaacs is known for his performances as vile people. Dan makes disgusting remarks about his daughter and he is controlling of his family. I turned my nose up at his lewd behavior. Amy (Mira Sorvino) is too scared to stand up for her daughter and even for her own.

Most of the characters are typical stereotypes seen in any high school/horror setting, like the students who pick on Maria. Credits include Penelope Mitchell, John C. McDonald, Harrison Gilbertson, and Kristen Harris.

Based on its premise, Look Away had the potential to invest more in its plotline. Less time should have been spent on Maria/Airam’s advantage of her powers and more on the backstory. Viewers are left with unanswered questions about how this scenario is possible.

Assaf Bernstein faltered in the story’s development overlooking creative ideas. Instead of witnessing scenes of Maria being bullied or her reflection taking advantage of her power, what if we had more time to explore the mirror power? Mirrors are always creative devices in any horror film and it's barely touched upon.

A better question is if Maria’s mother was also spiraling out of control. Amy should have been involved in the story more. Her background is barely touched upon. Expanding her character's connection to the mirror and her knowledge of its existence could have added a layer of complexity to the narrative.

Unfortunately, the film barely scratches the surface of this dynamic. By expanding Maria’s mother and her connection to the mirror, Look Away would have been more complex. Was it the spirit of the unborn twin or was Maria having a psychotic episode throughout the course of the story?

Aside from these lingering questions, the build-up of horror is paced well. Some scenes and storylines involving Airam linger too long. The scene where Airam is ice skating with Lily (Penelope Mitchel) is suspenseful as the music gradually intensifies and the edits and camera shots tighten on the character's faces.

One challenge faced in filmmaking was the signature mirror. In order to create the visual effect of the mirror’s alternate persona, actors had to coordinate themselves in the scenes to achieve the eerie mirror transformation.

At its core, Look Away is a psychological exploration of self-discovery. This film has hidden meanings about our roles in society. How far are you willing to go to change yourself? If you are ever feeling down, remind yourself of your talents. Don’t listen to what anybody else thinks about you.

Although the film misses opportunities, Look Away is worth checking out. Find it streaming on Prime or Netflix.