Hayley Kiyoko’s 'Girls Like Girls' Captures the Essence of Queer Youth

Hayley Kiyoko’s directorial debut, *Girls Like Girls*, serves as a cinematic expansion of her 2015 hit song of the same name. Set in the mid-2000s, the film follows the budding romance between Coley, a reserved newcomer to a small town, and Sonya, a popular girl who draws Coley into her orbit. While the narrative framework—a classic queer coming-of-age story—is intentionally familiar and avoids radical plot twists, the film succeeds by grounding itself in the visceral, overwhelming intensity of teenage discovery.

The film’s strength lies in its atmospheric recreation of the mid-aughts, utilizing period-specific details like AOL Instant Messenger to evoke a sense of nostalgia. Directorially, Kiyoko leans into the intimacy of the genre, relying on the chemistry between leads Maya da Costa and Myra Molloy. Da Costa’s performance is particularly noted for its understated emotional weight, effectively communicating the profound longing and vulnerability inherent in a first queer relationship.

For the entertainment industry, *Girls Like Girls* represents a significant shift in how queer narratives are being adapted from music to film. By prioritizing emotional authenticity over complex plot mechanics, Kiyoko demonstrates that there is a persistent, evergreen market for stories that validate the adolescent experience. The film’s success suggests that audiences continue to seek out projects that treat the universal feelings of first love with sincerity and tenderness, proving that even well-trodden tropes can feel like a revelation when executed with genuine care.