The 2018 Canadian psychological horror drama film, "Look Away," directed and written by Assaf Bernstein, explored the unsettling story of a high-school student whose life takes a dark turn when she swaps places with her sinister mirror image. Starring India Eisley, Mira Sorvino, and Jason Isaacs, the film aimed to delve into themes of alienation and identity. However, upon its release, "Look Away" was met with a largely negative critical reception,
indicating a struggle to connect with reviewers despite its intriguing premise.
Critical Consensus and Negative Feedback
Review aggregator websites provide a clear picture of the film's critical standing. On Rotten Tomatoes, "Look Away" garnered a mere 15% positive rating from 13 critics' reviews, resulting in an average score of 4.5 out of 10. This low percentage suggests a general dissatisfaction among professional reviewers.
One prominent critique came from Noel Murray of the Los Angeles Times, who specifically pointed out that the film's pacing was "too slow" and its mood "too somber." Such comments highlight potential issues with the film's narrative flow and overall atmosphere, which may have contributed to its unfavorable reception. The slow pace could have made it difficult for audiences to remain engaged, while a somber mood, if not balanced with other elements, might have been perceived as monotonous.
Glimmers of Positive Opinion
Despite the overwhelming negativity, "Look Away" did manage to receive some positive feedback. Michael J. Epstein of Without Your Head offered a more favorable assessment, describing the film as "not only an absolutely worthy extension of its base, but a thematically driven joy, far denser and smarter than its teen-appeal look gives it credit for."
Epstein's review suggests that some critics found deeper layers and thematic richness within the film that others might have overlooked. His mention of it being "denser and smarter" than its appearance implies that the film might have been more complex than its initial marketing or genre classification suggested. This divergence in opinion indicates that while many found the film lacking, a segment of critics appreciated its artistic ambition and thematic depth, seeing beyond what they perceived as a superficial "teen-appeal look."
Box Office Performance and Overall Impact
Beyond critical reviews, the film's commercial performance also offers insight into its reception. "Look Away" achieved a box office total of $1.1 million. While box office numbers don't directly reflect critical opinion, they can indicate audience interest and reach. A modest box office figure, combined with largely negative reviews, suggests that the film did not resonate widely with either critics or a broad audience.
The film's narrative, which centers on a timid high schooler named Maria who is bullied and ignored by her family, and her eventual switch with her mirror image, Airam, presented a psychological horror concept. Airam, described as charismatic and assertive, takes over Maria's life, leading to a series of events where she confronts those who wronged Maria. This plot, while potentially engaging, ultimately failed to impress the majority of critics, contributing to its overall negative reception in the cinematic landscape of 2018.
