In 2015, Hayley Kiyoko released “Girls Like Girls,” an electropop song meant to represent young queer women. It became a breakout hit, an LGBTQ+ anthem, and a public coming-out for the former Disney Channel and Nickelodeon star, who later expanded the story into a best-selling young adult novel. The heartfelt coming-of-age drama makes the leap to the big screen, with terrific performances by Maya da Costa and Myra Molloy as the two young girls at the heart of the sapphic love story, who learn to navigate insecurity and awkwardness on the path to self-acceptance.
Kiyoko, making her feature directorial debut, adapts her novel alongside co-writer Stefanie Scott. The two starred together in “Insidious: Chapter 3” and “Jem and the Holograms.”
Set in the summer of 2006, the nostalgic story takes us back to the days of AOL Instant Messenger and bulky computer monitors, when AIM was the primary chat platform for teens. Coley (Maya da Costa) is the “new girl in town,” a grieving 17-year-old who, after her mother’s tragic death, is forced to relocate to rural Oregon to live with her estranged father, Curtis (Zach Braff).
The living arrangement is less than ideal for Coley, who was abandoned by her father at age three. She feels that if Curtis truly wanted to be in her life, he would have tried before being forced to care for her. Braff’s low-key performance is one of the film’s highlights. The comedic actor and director, who, in real life, was enjoying the success of his film “Garden State” during the timeline of Kiyoko’s story, doesn’t portray Curtis as an overly apologetic, guilt-ridden father. Instead, it’s a sensitive, supportive performance as the musician and jewelry maker lets Coley vent, giving her plenty of space while always ready to lend a hand. Before you judge the character too harshly, a reveal will put everything into perspective.
The majority of “Girls” takes place outdoors—Kelowna, British Columbia, stands in for sun-drenched Oregon—which makes the film a visual treat for audiences. Bathed in natural light, Sonja Tsypin’s gorgeous cinematography features a few stunning overhead drone shots, scenes of the girls riding bikes down rural roads, teens hanging out at the local swimming hole and park, and, of course, an occasional backyard swimming pool.
After riding her bike in the summer heat, Coley stops by a local diner to cool off. In walks popular girl Sonya (Myra Molloy) and her teenage friends, including her obnoxious boyfriend, Trenton (Levon Hawke). The two girls lock eyes. Sonya flirts, inviting Coley into their inner circle—the start of a friendship.
Kiyoko doesn’t rush the love story. We get that Coley is interested in Sonya without the need for an LGBTQ+ backstory. Her facial expressions and actions (always reaching out to Sonya on AIM) indicate she’s interested in more than just a friendship. It’s a terrific performance by da Costa, who exhibits a wide range of emotions as she deals with grief, resentment, and the excitement that comes with a new crush.
Molloy, who originally auditioned for the role of Coley, makes the perfect Sonya. Good casting call, Kiyoko. The actor and musical-theater prodigy exudes serious it-girl vibes. Her vibrant energy and dominance within the group make for a credible popular girl—she shares DNA with Regina George. But Sonya is more nuanced than the “Mean Girls” character. She uses her confidence as a shield against the growing feelings she has for Coley.
Sonya is the most complex character in the film. One minute, she’s initiating a kiss with Coley; the next, she’s pushing her away. She is a victim of “Comp-het” (compulsory heterosexuality), the societal pressure that forces her to keep pressing the heterosexual-by-default button despite her natural feelings for Coley.
Inspired by Hayley Kiyoko’s own life and first crush, “Girls Like Girls” feels authentic as it explores the awkwardness, insecurity, excitement, and honesty of an individual’s journey of self-discovery toward realizing they are gay. On the surface, it also works very well as a budding romance story that signals “heartbreak ahead.”
Despite the 2006 setting, the story is timeless. However, I enjoyed the era’s nostalgia, from AIM to books of burned CDs, and songs by Imogen Heap and Tegan and Sara, to the sidekick culture that thrives within a sapphic support system.
As a bonus, there’s a remix of the original title song, plus new tracks by Hayley Kiyoko and a soundtrack featuring Young Miko, Chelsea Cutler, and Gigi Perez.
(3 ½ stars)
Now showing in theaters
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