Girl Haunts Boy (2024)
Story overview
Girl Haunts Boy is a 2024 fantasy-romance-comedy film directed by Emily Ting, starring Michael Cimino, Peyton List, Phoebe Holden, Andrea Navedo, and Brandon Micheal Hall. The story follows Cole, a teenager grieving the loss of his father, who forms an unexpected bond with Bea, a ghost. Together, they navigate the challenges of life and death while working to break an ancient curse. The film blends lighthearted moments with themes of loss, friendship, and supernatural adventure, rated PG with a runtime of 100 minutes.
Parent Guide
Girl Haunts Boy is a gentle, family-friendly film that combines fantasy, romance, and comedy with themes of grief and friendship. It is appropriate for children ages 8 and up, offering mild supernatural elements and emotional depth without intense scares or mature content. Parents may want to preview or watch with younger children to discuss the themes of loss.
Content breakdown
There is no physical violence. Mild peril includes scenes related to the ancient curse, such as magical threats or suspenseful moments as characters work to break it, but nothing graphic or frightening.
The ghost character, Bea, is portrayed as friendly, comedic, and non-threatening. Some supernatural elements and curse-related scenes might be slightly spooky for very young children, but overall, the tone is light and not intended to be scary.
No profanity or offensive language is present. The dialogue is clean and suitable for all ages.
There is no sexual content or nudity. The romance is sweet and age-appropriate, limited to holding hands, light flirting, and emotional bonding.
No depiction of alcohol, drugs, or tobacco use.
The film deals with themes of grief and loss, as Cole copes with his father's death. These moments are handled sensitively but may evoke sadness or reflection, especially for children who have experienced similar losses. The overall tone remains hopeful and uplifting.
Parent tips
This film is suitable for most children ages 8 and up, but parents should note the following: it deals with themes of grief and loss, which may be emotionally resonant for kids who have experienced similar situations. The ghost character is portrayed as friendly and comedic, not scary, but there are mild supernatural elements and peril related to the curse. The romance is sweet and age-appropriate, with no sexual content. Language is clean, and there is no substance use. Consider watching with younger children to discuss the emotional themes.
Parent chat guide
Parent follow-up questions
- Did you like the ghost in the movie? Was she funny?
- What colors did you see in the movie?
- Can you tell me about Cole's friend?
- What was the curse in the movie, and how did they try to break it?
- How did Cole feel when he talked about his dad?
- What made Bea a good friend to Cole?
- Why do you think Cole and Bea became friends despite being from different worlds?
- How did the movie balance comedy with sad moments about loss?
- What did you learn about dealing with grief from this story?
- How does the film use fantasy elements to explore real-life emotions like grief?
- What themes about life and death did you take away from the movie?
- How did the romance between Cole and Bea develop in a way that felt appropriate for a PG rating?
🎭 Story Kernel
At its heart, the film is a meditation on the parallels between literal haunting and the figurative haunting of grief. Cole is paralyzed by the recent loss of his father, while Bea is literally frozen in time from the 1920s. Their connection isn't just a YA romance; it’s a mutual exploration of how to move forward when the world demands you stay behind. The film explores the 'unfinished business' trope not as a series of tasks, but as an emotional state. It suggests that being 'stuck' is a choice made out of fear of the unknown. By helping Bea find her way to the afterlife, Cole finds his way back to the living, effectively using a supernatural catalyst to resolve a very human psychological deadlock regarding his own mourning process.
🎬 Visual Aesthetics
Director Emily Ting utilizes a distinct color palette to differentiate the eras and emotional states of the protagonists. The 1920s elements associated with Bea often carry a subtle, vintage glow, contrasting with the flatter, more sterile reality of Cole’s modern-day suburban life. The cinematography emphasizes the physical barriers between the two—using mirrors, glass, and specific framing to highlight that while they share the same space, they exist on different planes of existence. The visual language of the haunting is kept grounded and intimate rather than horrific, focusing on light play and soft focus to mirror the blossoming tenderness of their relationship. This aesthetic choice keeps the focus on the emotional stakes rather than the spectacle of the supernatural, making the ghost feel like a natural extension of the house.
🔍 Details & Easter Eggs
💡 Behind the Scenes
Girl Haunts Boy stars Peyton List and Michael Cimino, both established actors in the YA genre known for Cobra Kai and Love, Victor respectively. Director Emily Ting brings her experience in character-driven narratives to this supernatural setting, moving away from her usual romantic dramedies like Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong. The film was released in October 2024, strategically timed for the Halloween season, though it leans heavily into the 'cozy' and 'romantic' subgenres of ghost stories rather than traditional horror. The production emphasizes an intimate, indie feel, relying on the chemistry between the two leads to drive the narrative.
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Trailer
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