Director Lana Wilson, renowned for *Miss Americana*, had not previously ventured into the realm of psychics before initiating her recent project, *Look Into My Eyes*. Produced by A24, this documentary dives into the lives of clairvoyants in New York, beginning with a gentle curiosity and evolving into a significant exploration of how individuals cope with grief, existential anxiety, and even climate despair. The outcome is a profoundly empathetic and resonant film that surpasses its initial concept.
Even skeptics who regard mediums as charlatans may find *Look Into My Eyes* moving. The film does not aim to disprove or affirm the psychic profession. Rather, it adopts a nuanced perspective, exploring the lives of these individuals and their work through subtle implication and suggestion. In doing this, it reveals a deeper comprehension of *why* people feel drawn to psychics, even if the psychics themselves might not fully recognize the wider implications of their craft.
The documentary also exhibits remarkable self-awareness. It frames psychic readings as a form of artistic expression and gradually begins to reflect their emotional depth. As the film unfolds, Wilson’s storytelling advances, with her aesthetic choices evolving in ways that amplify the emotional resonance. The result is one of the most unexpectedly impactful documentaries of the year.
### What Is *Look Into My Eyes* About?
The film commences in a traditional documentary style, featuring a series of interviews with subjects. However, Wilson’s approach to this familiar format is anything but ordinary. Instead of interspersing montages or stock footage for context, the camera remains fixed in long, uninterrupted close-ups of clients facing psychics. These individuals, in search of guidance, candidly share intimate conversations. Some face daily struggles, like finding motivation in a constantly shifting world, while others confront deeply rooted traumas. In a particularly chilling moment, a middle-aged nurse recalls witnessing a young girl die from a gunshot wound decades ago and casually asks her psychic, “How is she?” The exchange is conversational, yet the weight of the moment resonates.
The production team dedicated months to scouting potential subjects, providing street-side readings to match clients with psychics. The psychics received no advance information about their clients, a behind-the-scenes choice that remains unseen in the film but enhances its authenticity. The camera lingers on impactful questions like “How is she?” long enough for viewers to appreciate their emotional significance before transitioning to the next client, the next psychic, and the next dimly lit, intimate scene. For the first half-hour, the psychics themselves remain shrouded, only appearing in shadowy profile shots. This decision places the audience in the psychics’ perspective, viewing the world through their eyes as they conduct their readings.
At first glance, the film appears to center on the clients in search of answers, showcasing moments of catharsis as they express gratitude to their psychics or dissolve into tears. However, the narrative takes an unexpected turn when it begins to highlight readings that fall short, resulting in puzzled responses from clients. These moments are not played for humor; instead, they evoke a profound sense of misfortune, underscoring the emotional stakes at hand.
As attention shifts, the psychics themselves become the focal point. The camera accompanies them into their homes and workplaces, capturing their daily lives and difficulties. This transition renders the question of whether their abilities are “real” moot. Instead, the film delves into the psychics as individuals, prompting a more intriguing inquiry: Are psychic readings a form of performance art?
### Psychic Readings as Art and Therapy
The film subtly draws connections between psychic readings and artistic expression. Numerous psychics reveal a strong affinity for the arts. One is a playwright, another is a singer, and several boast backgrounds in acting or improv. Their homes are adorned with classic film posters, and their discussions frequently meander toward movies and theater. A Queens-based psychic who claims to channel the spirits of pets attributes her ability to John Waters’ films for helping her embrace her identity as an outsider. Another psychic becomes emotional while reminiscing about a cherished movie he watched with his deceased brother.
While the film never directly comments on these correlations, they naturally emerge in almost every interview. Some psychics recognize the parallels between their artistic endeavors and their spiritual work, likening readings to improvisation or emotional storytelling. Others may not articulate the connection themselves, but the film subtly implies that their psychic practices could function as a form of self-expression.
The emotional truths of these readings take precedence over their logistical or factual correctness. For many clients, the sessions serve as a therapeutic release. Similarly, the psychics often derive meaning and comfort from their work, even if they have reservations about its authenticity. The film also addresses the racial dynamics of these encounters, illustrating how shared cultural experiences can deepen the bond between psychic and client. For example, a Black psychic connects with a young Black client in a way a white psychic cannot, while an Asian American psychic provides a sense of belonging to a Chinese American woman.