Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Borget , based on child development research. How do we rate?
age 8+
Ghostly teen romance blends grief, love, and friendship.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
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Violence & Scariness
a little
A character is hit by a car and dies in a flashback scene. The impact isn't shown, but implied. Some spooky Halloween costumes and talks of a curse. Discussions of death.
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Sex, Romance & Nudity
a little
Plot focuses heavily on teen romance. Some flirtation and romantic feelings between characters. Characters kiss.
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See Also'Girl Haunts Boy' Netflix Movie Review: If Casper Was A Teenage Girl Girl Haunts Boy | Rotten TomatoesGet started
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Products & Purchases
very little
Lots of popular music references, including Taylor Swift, The Beatles, and Bad Bunny.
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Positive Messages
a lot
The power of love, loss, and working through grief. Promotes kindness, friendship, family bonds, and resilience.
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Positive Role Models
a lot
Cole and Bea build a friendship as they both work to overcome their individual challenges. Cole perseveres through grief, and encourages Bea as he shows her how the world has changed in the last 100 years. Both of them also bond over music and music styles. While Cole teaches Bea about the world, Bea teaches Cole how to enjoy life after loss. Cole's mother is also always there for him and influential as she gives him space but also listens when he's ready to talk. Mr. Porter is another positive role model as he tries to influence his students to push themselves to be the best they can be. Cole does have a moment where he's dishonest, but later redeems himself.
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Diverse Representations
some
Diverse cast includes characters from Latino and Asian backgrounds. The film includes scenes where a father and son play guitar and sing together in Spanish. Though Bea grew up in the 1920s, when women had fewer rights, she's very bright and discusses wanting to be a pilot.
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Educational Value
very little
Viewers get a glimpse of the 1920s period and perspective on the literary classic The Great Gatsby.
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Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Boy Haunts Boy is a teen fantasy romance with strong themes of love, loss, and working through grief. The story follows a teenage boy named Cole (Michael Cimino) who, after the loss of his father, moves into a new house and discovers that the ghost of a 1920s girl named Bea (Peyton List) is haunting his bedroom. Through their friendship and blossoming romance, the film explores resilience, family bonds, and the power of music in overcoming personal challenges. Though it has some brief scary moments, like discussions of death and a flashback of a character being hit by a car, the film is more emotional than frightening. Characters flirt, hold hands, kiss, and form a romantic relationship. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Girl Haunts Boy
Parent and Kid Reviews
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- Parents say (1)
- Kids say
age 16+
Based on 1 parent review
Nikki B. Adult
October 11, 2024
age 16+
From beginning to the end I enjoyed watching this movie, beautiful great cast it definitely made me cry I loved it everyone should watch😍😊
Rate movie
See all 1 parent review
What's the Story?
In GIRL HAUNTS BOY, Cole (Michael Cimino) moves to a quiet town with his mother after his father's passing, only to discover that his new bedroom is haunted by the ghost of 17-year-old Bea (Peyton List). Bea, who died in the 1920s, is bound to the house by a magical ring she took from a museum. When Cole puts the ring on, he can see and talk to Bea, and the two quickly bond as they help each other navigate their own challenges. As their connection grows into something deeper, Cole learns there's a way to break Bea's curse and set her free. However, doing so would mean losing her forever, forcing Cole to make a heartbreaking choice—let go of Bea or keep her in his life as a ghost.
Is It Any Good?
Our review:
Parents say: (1):
Kids say: Not yet rated Rate movie
Girl Haunts Boy adds a heartfelt twist to the young adult paranormal romance genre. The film blends lighthearted moments with emotional depth, exploring themes of love, loss, and healing from grief. Peyton List and Michael Cimino shine as Bea and Cole, whose bond grows not only through shared experiences but also through a love for music, with Cimino even performing original songs that add to the movie's charm. The story directly references The Great Gatsby, with Cole drawing parallels to his own life, adding another layer of meaning to his journey. Modern pop culture references, like Taylor Swift and Bad Bunny, also give the movie a unique and appealing experience for young audiences.
While Girl Haunts Boy delivers a touching narrative, some viewers may find the pacing slow during the early interactions between Bea and Cole. Still, the emotional depth of their growing friendship and the weight of Cole's eventual decision keeps the story engaging. Though more sentimental than scary, the movie's supernatural elements serve as a metaphor for dealing with grief and letting go, making it a thoughtful film for kids and parents to share.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the movie's use of music to strengthen the bond between Cole and Bea. Do you have any shared interests like that with your friends or family?
How does Cole's relationship with Bea help him cope with the loss of his father? Can you think of other healthy ways to handle grief?
Cole and Bea come from very different time periods. What challenges do you think they face in understanding each other's perspectives?
The film explores the idea of letting go versus holding on. Why is it hard for Cole to let Bea go, and what does the movie say about moving forward?
If you were in Cole's situation, would you want to help Bea move on, or would you want to keep her around? Why?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: October 11, 2024
- Cast: Peyton List, Michael Cimino, Andrea Navedo
- Director: Emily Ting
- Inclusion Information: Female directors, Female actors, Latino actors, Puerto Rican actors, Latino writers, South American writers
- Studios: Fifth Season, Netflix
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Friendship, High School
- Run time: 100 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- MPAA explanation: mild thematic elements and language
- Last updated: October 11, 2024
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Girl Haunts Boy
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