An optical film that, when being used in an image display device, it is possible to suppress a change in redness with respect to an original image in images reflected in surroundings, a manufacturing method of a light absorption anisotropic layer, and an image display device. The optical film includes a light absorption anisotropic layer which contains a liquid crystalline compound and a dichroic substance, in which an angle θ between a transmittance central axis of the light absorption anisotropic layer and a normal direction of a surface of the light absorption anisotropic layer is 0° or more and 45° or less, and a haze value of the optical film is more than 1% and 20% or less.