Hayley Kiyoko has a story to tell.

Based on her song of the same name, Girls Like Girls tells the story of Coley (Maya da Costa), a teenager who has just moved in with her (formerly) estranged father (Zach Braff) after the death of her mother. As she settles in to her new home, she meets Sonya (Myra Malloy), a popular local girl who takes her under her wing. As sparks begin to fly between the two young women, so too do things become more complicated as their relationship feels foreign to their small town (and themselves).

As the first film by Kiyoko, Girls Like Girls is quite a debut. Though it keeps things simple, Girls is buoyed by the personal nature of its writing. Kiyoko has poured herself into the storytelling in ways that make the film feel honest. In this way, there’s little ‘flash’ in its style. It’s simply the coming-of-age tale of two teens fumbling their way through the awkwardness of their youth.

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Maya Da Costa stars as Coley in director Hayley Kiyoko’s GIRLS LIKE GIRLS, a Focus Features release.
Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2026 FOCUS FEATURES LLC

But that’s also what also makes the film feel sincere.

What’s more, Girls Like Girls benefits from some strong work from its leads. As Coley, da Costa walks the line between inner confidence and personal heartbreak. Having been devastated by the loss of her mother, she still carries herself with an inner strength. At the same time, Malloy’s Sonya comes across as just the opposite. Although she appears to have everything together on the surface, there’s an anxiousness in her performance that reveals an inner fragility. Together, the duo’s bond creates tension yet is fueled by grace that gives the film its charm.

Though, perhaps the most unexpectedly heartwarming performance though comes from Braff. As Coley’s estranged (and… ‘re-stranged’?) father, he surprises with an authentic mix of regret and parental desperation. He genuinely wants to connect with his daughter but has already lost the right to do so. Best known for his more comedic impulses, Braff leans into another part of his soul here that makes him endearing. This isn’t the bumbling J.D. from Scrubs. This is the Braff that made himself an indie darling in the early 2000s. And, as such, he embeds his character with a surprising amount of wisdom and heart.

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Zach Braff stars as Curtis in director Hayley Kiyoko’s GIRLS LIKE GIRLS, a Focus Features release.
Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2026 FOCUS FEATURES LLC

And heart is essential to Girls like Girls. This is very much a flim that tackles its coming-of-age story with sensitivity and grace. After all, Coley and Sonya may both be learning who they are but they are in very different places.

For Coley, growing up isn’t so much about owning her sexuality. That’s a journey that she’s already taken. Instead, it’s about piecing together her life. Grappling with the shattered pieces of loss, she’s thrust into a home situation that feels entirely foreign. Living with her formerly-disappeared father, the life that she once knew was ripped from her, leaving her with a confusing mess of emotions. While her dad seems to be earnest in his desire to reconcile, that doesn’t mean that it’s an easy task for Coley to accept.

At the same time, Sonya’s journey may be the true soul of the film. Having never admitted her attraction to anyone, the very thought of her interest in Coley shakes her to the very core. Staying close to her boyfriend as a public face, he becomes a shield from her true feelings.

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Maya Da Costa stars as Coley and Myra Molloy as Sonya in director Hayley Kiyoko’s GIRLS LIKE GIRLS, a Focus Features release.
Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2026 FOCUS FEATURES LLC

As such, Sonya’s battle within herself is where Girls finds its heart. Though the story does feel familiar, Kiyoko infuses the film with such sincerity that one can’t help but empathize with her characters. There is a sweetness here that bubbles to the surface. These are teens who are simply trying to discover the originality within themselves in a world that tries to tell them what it means to be ‘normal’. Feeling the external pressure to conform, the duo must find their footing at an unstable time – and try to discern whether they need each other to do so.

Girls like Girls is available in theatres on Friday, June 19th, 2026.