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Look Away

Look Away is a American-Canadian written and directed by in his feature directorial debut. The story centers on , a shy and alienated high school senior who discovers a reflection in her bedroom mirror named Airam, leading her to switch places with this malevolent and unraveling her life in unexpected ways. Starring in the dual role of and Airam, the film also features as her father Dan, as her mother Claire, and as her friend Emily. Filmed primarily in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Look Away explores themes of isolation, identity, and the blurred line between self and other through a voyeuristic , emphasizing Maria's strained dynamics and social struggles at school. Produced by companies including Ace in the Hole Films and Dana Lustig Productions, and distributed by , it had a in the United States on , 2018, and subsequent availability on streaming platforms like . With a runtime of 103 minutes, the film blends elements of and psychological tension, drawing comparisons to works like The Picture of Dorian Gray for its mirror motif. Critically, Look Away received mixed reviews, praised for Eisley's compelling and atmospheric but criticized for pacing issues and a convoluted resolution. It holds a 15% approval on based on 13 reviews, with an average score of 4.5/10, while audience reception on averages 5.8/10 from nearly 24,000 user ratings (as of November 2025). The movie has garnered a among enthusiasts for its exploration of adolescent alienation and visual style, though it did not achieve significant success or awards recognition.

Background

Development

In 1988, Chicago's manager, Howard Kaufman, suggested songwriter Diane Warren's composition "Look Away" to the band as potential material for their upcoming album. The song had been offered to other acts prior to Chicago's involvement. An executive presented it to alongside "The Flame," granting the band first pick; they chose "The Flame," allowing "Look Away" to go to . It was also proposed to the Swedish rock band during sessions for their 1988 album Out of This World, but lead singer rejected it. As Chicago continued their late-1980s pivot toward polished pop ballads to sustain commercial success in the post-Peter Cetera era, the band decided to record "Look Away" for Chicago 19.

Songwriting

"Look Away" was written solely by Diane Warren in early 1988 as a power ballad centered on the themes of heartbreak and the emotional challenge of moving on from a past relationship. The song captures the protagonist's internal struggle upon learning of an ex-partner's new romance, blending feigned happiness with underlying pain to create a relatable narrative of loss and self-preservation. The vividly depict this realization through poignant verses and a recurring that urges avoidance of painful sights, with key lines such as "So look away, look away / From what you can't bear to see / The that's gone / The love that was me." This structure emphasizes the tension between outward composure and inner turmoil, as the narrator pretends to be fine while grappling with memories of the relationship. Warren's songwriting process for "Look Away" drew from real-life stories shared by friends, including one involving an impending and emotional , which sparked the song's core concept of confronting unbearable truths in . She often crafts such emotional, relatable pop songs by channeling others' experiences into universal themes, working solo in her studio to produce that resonate broadly without relying on her own romantic history. The song received in 1988, and Warren submitted an initial demo to artists' management in the early part of that year, prior to its adoption by .

Music and recording

Composition

The score for Look Away was composed by Bulgarian film composer Mario Grigorov, who crafted an original soundtrack emphasizing psychological tension and to complement the film's themes of and .) The music features atmospheric synths, motifs, and orchestral elements that build unease, particularly in scenes involving the mirror . Grigorov's score runs approximately 35 minutes across 18 tracks, including cues like "", "Airam", and "". The soundtrack incorporates a mix of original compositions and licensed songs to enhance key moments, such as the homecoming dance and interpersonal conflicts. Notable featured tracks include and "Daddy" by Rotana, "Good Love" by Nikki Era, and an original cue "Airam Is Out" by Grigorov. This blend supports the narrative's emotional arc without overpowering the dialogue-driven .

Production and personnel

The score was produced by Mario Grigorov in collaboration with the film's production team, recorded post-filming to align with the edited sequences. Primary recording likely occurred in professional studios, though specific locations are not publicly detailed. Grigorov handled and , drawing on his experience in film scoring for tense, character-focused dramas. The soundtrack was released digitally on August 8, 2023, via platforms like and , five years after the film's premiere. No music supervisor is credited in available sources, indicating direct involvement by the director in musical selections. The final mix integrates the score seamlessly with to heighten the film's voyeuristic and elements.

Release

Commercial release

Look Away premiered at the in on July 20, 2018.) It received a limited theatrical release in the United States on October 12, 2018, distributed by . The film was released internationally in select markets, including on November 2, 2018, (as Não Olhes) on December 14, 2018, and (as Темное зеркало) on January 10, 2019. Home media releases included DVD and Blu-ray on November 13, 2018, by Home Entertainment in . The film became available for streaming on in various regions starting in 2019.

Promotion and music video

The film was promoted through festival screenings and standard marketing for independent horror thrillers, including a trailer released by in early October 2018. No official was produced, as the project is a without a dedicated soundtrack single. Promotion emphasized the film's psychological themes and India Eisley's dual role, with appearances at genre festivals to build buzz among horror audiences.

Reception

Critical reviews

Look Away received mixed to negative reviews from critics. On , the film holds a 15% approval rating based on 13 reviews, with an average rating of 4.5/10. The site's consensus reads: "Look Away's premise is intriguing, but it fails to capitalize on its potential, resulting in a that feels more frustrating than frightening." On , it has a weighted average score of 40 out of 100 based on 4 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews. Critics praised India Eisley's dual performance but often criticized the film's pacing and convoluted plot. Noel Murray of the noted its "slow pace and somber mood," while Michael J. Epstein of Without Your Head called it a "thematically driven joy" that is "denser and smarter than its teen appeal suggests." Audience reception has been more positive, with an IMDb average rating of 5.8/10 from 23,900 user ratings as of November 2025. The film has developed a among fans for its exploration of isolation and identity.

Commercial performance

Look Away had a on October 12, 2018, by . It did not achieve significant success, grossing approximately $806,783 internationally across various territories from December 2018 to August 2019. Domestic figures are not widely reported, but home video sales were estimated at $13,592 in the U.S. The film later gained availability on streaming platforms like , contributing to its audience reach. The film received one nomination at the 2018 Fright Meter Awards for Best Screenplay but no major awards recognition.

Legacy

Cultural impact

Look Away has maintained a niche presence in the genre, appreciated by some for its exploration of themes like and through the motif. Despite mixed critical reception, it has developed a modest among enthusiasts, particularly for India Eisley's dual performance and the film's atmospheric tension. The movie's availability on streaming platforms has contributed to its ongoing viewership; as of November 2025, it is accessible on , , and . Commercially, the film underperformed, grossing approximately $1.1 million internationally at the . It received no major awards or nominations. On review aggregators, it holds a 15% approval rating from critics on (based on 13 reviews, average 4.1/10) and a 5.8/10 average from nearly 24,000 users on .

References

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