The Wasteland Reviewer

Girls Like Girls (2026) Written Review

Do you remember what it was like to be a teenager? For some, this was a wonderful time of fun, growth, and a lack of responsibility. For others, it was a terrible time full of stress, tears, struggle, and confusion. Being a teenager is such a confusing and challenging time. But the type of person you are certainly reflects how you look back at your teenage years. There is also a layer of nostalgia for the music, fashion, and experiences that defined that time for you. Many filmmakers have tackled this challenging time in life while exploring the even more complex feeling of love as well. For Hayley Kiyoko’s feature directorial debut, she tackles this time, romance, and the queer experience with Girls Like Girls.

How does Kiyoko capture this time and experience on the big screen? From a nostalgia perspective, you feel that 2005 setting so profoundly. The needle drops just transport you back to that time (especially as they are played on CDs or iPods). The fashion is pitch perfect and just gives the film a perfect timestamp. The look of the film also has this specific visual presentation that captures that nostalgic summertime feel. The sun. The woods. The shadows. They all come to life so perfectly. Kiyoko brings so much passion to this film as this budding romance between two young women is presented with such tenderness and sincerity. There are some truly beautiful shots throughout the film, especially when the camera looks so deeply into the eyes of both Maya da Costa’s Coley and Myra Molloy’s Sonya as they stare longingly at each other. The camera work is so intimate and powerful as they capture the little stares of longing between Coley and Sonya without making it obscene. When they finally have moments of physical expression, there is just so much passion leaping from the screen. Girls Like Girls certainly is a smaller budgeted film and you can see little details that show its imperfections. The mixing of music is a little too loud. There are some shots that have some awkward blocking. But you get lost in this journey for Coley that you can get past them a lot easier.

How about the script from Kiyoko and Stefanie Scott? This film has such a unique origin as it is based on the song and music video from Kiyoko herself. That is why music feels so natural in the confines of this story. Kiyoko certainly leans into quite a few common tropes of coming-of-age and young romance films. There are also some one-dimensional characters that really standout (especially Trenton…who is without a doubt the WORST). But the lens of this love budding between two young women is quite affecting. Coley is grieving and processing the trauma stemming from her tumultuous relationship with her recently deceased mother. There is a disconnect as well between her and her estranged father who is desperately attempting to make up for lost time. Coley is a quieter and more introspective individual who is certainly hesitant to express her obvious feelings towards Sonya. But still Coley is even more confident than Sonya who is a popular girl with a douche for a boyfriend (Trenton!). But these new feelings for another woman are terrifying to her). The rollercoaster ride of their relationship is certainly filled with drama even if it plays out a little too stereotypical. One of the saving graces of this closure to this film is that Coley gets to go on such a poignant journey of growth and gets moments to finally stand up for herself and her feelings. What deepens this experience to such a powerful level is that this film understands that people are flawed, complicated, and human relationships are challenging. Kiyoko rarely misses this truth.

How does this cast of young performers fair with such challenging subject matter? Coley is a layered character with plenty of trauma and luckily da Costa rises to the occasion. So much of the power in her performance is in her facial expressions and how she engages with the actors around her. She sells every lustful stare and glance at Sonya so authentically. Some of her line deliveries might feel a little stiff but she sells so much in her presence and physicality. When the emotions rise, da Costa sells all the trauma and sadness cascading over her. But her chemistry with Molloy is off the charts. Molloy’s portrayal of Sonya is full of charisma and presence that makes so much sense that Coley instantly feels allured by her. But da Costa brings quieter yet confident charisma to Coley that makes such an interesting dynamic between the two. Molloy truly shines when she delivers on the insecurity and self-destructive nature of Sonya which is frustrating for both Coley and the audience but feels so authentic for a confused teenage girl. The combination of da Costa and Molloy is excellent for sure. Zach Braff is the most famous name in the show, and he sells that estranged father trying way too hard to connect with Coley’s father. No one else in the cast gets a lot of screen time but these young performers at least feel like authentic young people that you can see being real teenagers.

Is Girls Like Girls a new queer romance to capture the attention of audiences? This is such a passionate film with a romance that feels so raw and authentic. The tenderness and love that Kiyoko brings to her two leading characters and this story is infectious. Nostalgia is a powerful added layer that helps the audience teleport back to their awkward and confusing teenage years.