Girls Like Girls review: Hayley Kiyoko’s Warm Directorial Debut Captures Teen Yearning

Girls Like Girls review: Hayley Kiyoko’s Directorial Debut

The new film adaptation of the 2015 hit single arrives as a modest‑budget romance that leans into adolescent melancholy and quiet yearning.

From Pop Anthem to Silver Screen

Hayley Kiyoko, long celebrated for her candid lyricism, steps behind the camera, delivering a story that feels both intimate and expansive. Girls like girls like boys do becomes more than a chorus—it underpins the narrative’s emotional core.

“Kiyoko captures the awkward chemistry of first love with a painter’s precision,” notes Reuters.

The visual style is deliberately soft, with pastel hues that echo teenage daydreams while the script resists melodrama. The pacing mirrors the hesitation of a first kiss, allowing moments to breathe.

Industry analysts observed the release on Bloomberg that streaming uptake exceeded forecasts, registering ↑ 12% above projected figures in its opening week.

While the film does not reinvent the coming‑of‑age genre, its authenticity and Kiyoko’s assured direction make it a noteworthy entry for LGBTQ representation on screen.