‘Girl Haunts Boy’ (2024) Review

Girl Haunts Boy Synopsis: Cole, a teen grieving the loss of his dad, forms an unlikely bond with Bea, a ghost. As they navigate life and death, they must break an ancient curse.


Girl Haunts Boy
Starring: Michael Cimino, Peyton List
Directed by: Emily Ting
Written by: Cesar Vitale
Released: 10.10.2024
Runtime: 100 minutes
Rated: PG

In the 1920s, a curious young woman named Bea (Peyton List) is visiting a museum with her family when she steals one half of a ring from a display. Shortly after, she is hit by a car and killed. Fast forward to present day when a 17 year old boy named Cole (Michael Cimino) moves into a new home with his mother, both of whom are grieving the loss of Cole’s father.

Cole soon finds the ring that Bea had stolen nearly a century earlier. When he puts it on, Bea appears in her ghostly form. The two bond and form an unlikely friendship that is tested when there is a chance Bea is able to move on into the afterlife.

Girl Haunts Boy is a lovely little romantic dramedy that is surprisingly emotional and perfect for this time of year. It has its humorous moments, especially as Bea finally escapes the confines of her home to experience what life is like in 2024, but ultimately movie is a tender story about two lost people healing from their grief together.

Bea is both charming and free-spirited, but I’m not sure her character was developed as fully as it could have been, considering she lived in the 1920s. So, it’s Cole that anchors the film – we see him as the new kid at school, hiding his intelligence to fit in and awkwardly navigating a potential friendship with a “psychic” schoolmate. He and his mother have some sweet scenes regarding the passing of Cole’s father as well, but we never find out much about Bea’s family beyond the fact that her parents were musicians. That seems designed to bond Bea and Cole further, as Cole plays guitar and used to play with his father.

The strength of Girl Haunts Boy is in the blossoming friendship between Bea and Cole. The cursed ring that Bea stole so many years ago is never fully explained, except that if the ring is returned to its other half, Bea can break the curse and “move on”.

Unfortunately, Cole has come to depend on Bea, and can’t quite bring himself to let her go. If you think too deeply on the surrounding circumstances of the cursed ring – and the ghostly rules of Bea’s existence – you’ll find not a lot of it makes sense without a deeper explanation, which we never get. However! I found I didn’t mind much, because I felt the story was more about Cole finding a way out of the grief holding him hostage than the circumstances that kept Bea from moving on into the afterlife.

List and Cimino share a lovely chemistry on screen, but the romantic aspect of their relationship was lacking. Most of their interactions are rather platonic, so when there is suddenly a spark of romance, it comes across as hurried and contrived. Had there been some more believable build-up to their ghostly romance, I think I would have it enjoyed it more, but as it was, I would have much rather Bea and Cole remained friends.

I still think Girl Haunts Boy is worth watching, especially if you prefer your spooky movies to have a lighter touch like say, Hocus Pocus. It’s a heartwarming film with cozy, lived in sets and charming performances from its leads. This movie was built for the fall season and it’s perfect for a chilly day when you just want to stay wrapped up in a blanket and watch some feel good films.

Girl Haunts Boy 'Girl Haunts Boy' (2024) Review

Watched: 10.14.2024
Notable Song: Still Haunted By You by Michael Cimino

Rating:

New membership are not allowed.