Girls Like Girls review: Hayley Kiyoko's queer coming-of-age romance captures Y2K nostalgia and authentic emotion
By
Natalia Keogan
Summary
A review and analysis of Hayley Kiyoko's coming-of-age romance film "Girls Like Girls," which adapts her 2015 music video into a feature-length story set in 2006. The article discusses how the film fits into the current trend of Y2K period pieces, explores queer romance with naturalistic storytelling, and highlights the performances of lead actors. The film follows a teenage girl who moves to her father's house in Oregon after her mother's death and develops a relationship with the girl next door, navigating small-town dynamics and queer identity in the mid-2000s.
Source
The A.V. ClubGirls Like Girls review: Hayley Kiyoko's queer coming-of-age romance captures Y2K nostalgia and authentic emotionavclub.comKey quotes
· 3 pulled'Girls Like Girls' is a film that understands the specific texture of queer adolescence in the mid-2000s — the AIM chats, the iPod playlists, the way a shared song could feel like a confession.
Kiyoko's direction is naturalistic and unhurried, allowing the romance to breathe in a way that feels true to teenage experience rather than Hollywood pacing.
The film reminds us that queer love stories are both nothing new — they've always existed — and absolutely worth getting swept up in.
You might also wanna read
'Girls Like Girls' Review: Hayley Kiyoko's Feature Debut Offers a Conventional but Refreshing Queer Coming-of-Age Story
Hayley Kiyoko's directorial debut 'Girls Like Girls' adapts her 2015 viral pop song and subsequent YA novel into a feature film. The movie t
variety.com·2d ago'Girls Like Girls' Review: Hayley Kiyoko's Feature Debut Offers a Conventional but Refreshing Queer Coming-of-Age Story
Hayley Kiyoko's directorial debut 'Girls Like Girls' adapts her 2015 viral pop song and subsequent YA novel into a feature film. The movie t
Variety·2d ago
'Girls Like Girls' Review: Hayley Kiyoko Expands Her Queer Music Video Into a Feature Film
Hayley Kiyoko's directorial debut "Girls Like Girls" adapts her landmark 2015 queer music video into a feature film. The movie follows a tee
IndieWire·2d ago
Hayley Kiyoko on Adapting 'Girls Like Girls' Into a Feature Film and Shifting Focus From Music
Hayley Kiyoko, known as 'Lesbian Jesus' to her fans, discusses the journey of adapting her 2015 cult-classic song 'Girls Like Girls' into a
Rolling Stone·4h ago
Hayley Kiyoko Discusses 'Girls Like Girls' Film Adaptation and Sapphic Representation in Cinema
Hayley Kiyoko's feature film "Girls Like Girls," opening June 19, expands on her music video of the same name. The film follows teenager Col
Variety·10h ago
How Hayley Kiyoko Turned Her Hit Single ‘Girls Like Girls’ Into Her Dream Movie
ELLE·5h ago
Gigi Perez on Finding Breakthrough After Being Dropped by Label, Collaborating with Hayley Kiyoko
Gigi Perez, a 26-year-old singer, recounts her emotional journey from being dropped by Interscope Records and grieving her sister's death to
Rolling Stone·1mo ago