Haley Kiyoko’s Highly Anticipated Coming of Age Romance Is Quickly Becoming a Fan Favorite

Published Jul 2, 2026, 5:09 PM EDT

A story like this one is best told through the lens of one who has lived it personally. There is an unmistakable essence of care and gentleness in Kiyoko's approach to this film. It's evident through the artful craftsmanship of each scene and the delightful Easter eggs that connect back to the film's music video origins. From the soft, warm lighting to the gorgeous landscapes of rural Oregon, and even the personality captured in the incredibly detailed set design, Kiyoko captures a love so tender it melts off the bone, with the realism and accuracy of someone who has personally lived it. The eager click-clack of boxy, vintage keyboards and the classic braided plastic choker, there is so much sweet nostalgia captured in just 95 minutes.

Malloy And Da Costa's Expert Portrayal of Sapphic Young Love

Admittedly, the portraits painted by both Malloy and Da Costa, respectively, did register as a bit stiff initially. All awkward hesitation, and stumbling sentences; strange accents and desperate attempts to impress one another. A cat and mouse game where neither one is quite sure who is who. However, as the story unfolds, both leads appear changed in a brilliant metamorphosis. As each girl grows from the impact of the other, it becomes clear that all of those stomach-turning, shaky-handed interactions were entirely purposeful.

Watching each of them thaw and open up was a true pleasure, for two immensely different reasons. Coley (Da Costa), the once wordless wallflower, slowly softens into a bright, emotional powerhouse. Adversely, Sonya (Malloy), who once had a hard shell of performative, floaty femininity, grows much more sensitive and grounded. Perhaps alluding to the idea that real love forced her to present authentically for the very first time.

Clearly, both actresses approached each of their roles thoughtfully. Telling two incredibly real experiences of growing up queer, and realizing it perhaps in the most vulnerable way possible: falling in love truthfully and wholeheartedly. Through the expert directorial touch from Kiyoko and the wonderful writing from co-writer Stephanie Scott, Girls Like Girls captures girlhood and all of its nuances and colors.

The Stunning Atmosphere of 'Girls Like Girls'

Lately, with each blockbuster, remake, or emerging series, there seems to be one critique in common: poor, sanitized lighting. Critics and audiences alike have noticed a shift of modernization, inadvertently causing a myriad of different projects to appear dull and thoughtless. Most recently, The Devil Wears Prada 2 was a notable feature that came under fire for such accusations. Girls Like Girls, on the other hand, couldn't have strayed farther from that phenomenon. Each scene is bathed in warm yellow sunlight. Whether it's gently peaking through the dusty window shades, painting Sonya's room in a lovely pinkish haze, or hanging in the sky as they balance along an abandoned train track, this film looks like how summer felt to a young teen. It's exactly this beautiful, blurry, nostalgic mood that deepens the whirlwind narrative so evocatively.

According to Rotten Tomatoes, the film has received an 89% critical review and 91% audience reaction, particularly being praised for its earnest storytelling and authenticity. Haley Kiyoko's debut film accomplished exactly what it set out to do. With every creative choice, whether it was the writing process, the set design, the takes that made it, and those that didn't, it appears it was considered with immense detail, care, and thought. It's not every day that such a truly wonderful coming-of-age story comes along and allows audiences to be seen so intimately. Through Molloy and Da Costa's portrayals, Coley and Sonya were brought to life with such depth and nuance. Let's hope this is only the beginning for sapphic coming-of-age stories.