Hayley Kiyoko’s ‘Girls Like Girls’ Brings Her Viral Anthem to the Big Screen—and It Delivers

Hayley Kiyoko has turned her iconic LGBTQ+ anthem into a feature film, expanding the story that first captivated audiences in a 2015 music video and later became a bestselling novel. Girls Like Girls is an earnest, emotional coming-of-age romance that honors its origins while exploring themes of first love, self-discovery, and queer identity with a nostalgic warmth that clearly resonates with the millions who’ve followed Kiyoko’s work.

The story unfolds over a transformative summer and centers on 17-year-old Coley, a teenager grappling with her mother’s death. When she moves to a small Oregon town, she meets Sonya, a popular girl with her own emotional complications. What starts as friendship gradually becomes something deeper, forcing both young women to face their fears and navigate the complexities of young love.

Making her feature directorial debut, Kiyoko demonstrates a clear commitment to authenticity. Rather than relying on manufactured drama, she keeps the focus on the real emotional experience of adolescence—grief, identity, acceptance, and vulnerability all feel genuine and intimate.

Maya da Costa and Myra Molloy, both relative newcomers, bring natural chemistry to their roles, capturing the awkwardness and intensity of first love with ease. Supporting performances from Zach Braff and Levon Hawke round out the cast effectively.

For longtime fans, the film represents both a tribute and a natural evolution. What began as a three-minute music video has now expanded into a novel, album, and feature film—a testament to Kiyoko’s broader mission of expanding LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream entertainment.

Released during Pride Month, Girls Like Girls offers a notably affirmative story centered on queer joy rather than struggle. While the coming-of-age romance formula isn’t particularly original, the film’s sincerity and authentic perspective help it stand apart in a genre where LGBTQ+ narratives remain surprisingly rare.

Ultimately, Girls Like Girls succeeds in being a warm, uplifting film that respects its source material while welcoming new audiences. It may not break new ground in the coming-of-age genre, but its emotional honesty and celebration of queer love make it a solid addition to the expanding catalog of LGBTQ+ cinema.