In Girl Haunts Boy director Emily Ting crafts a modern ghost story that is more about the living than the dead. At first glance, the premise seems like a familiar haunted house narrative, but the film quickly surprises with its depth of emotion and exploration of the human condition, especially in the delicate space between life and death. Starring Michael Cimino as Cole and Peyton List as Bea, this touching supernatural romance carries the weight of grief, friendship, and ultimately, difficult choices.
The story begins when Cole, mourning the recent loss of his father, moves to a new town with his mother in search of a fresh start. However, this fresh start turns out to be far more complicated when he discovers that he’s sharing his new room with the ghost of Bea, a 17-year-old girl from the 1920s who has been stuck in the house for nearly a century. From the moment they meet, it’s clear this is no typical ghost-boy-meets-girl scenario. Bea is witty, adventurous, and refreshingly upbeat for someone who’s been trapped in an ethereal limbo. The chemistry between Cimino and List is undeniable, as the two characters—one living, one long dead—bond over their shared loneliness, and eventually fall in love.
At the heart of the film is the mystery behind Bea’s entrapment. The discovery of an ancient cursed ring that has tied her to the house since her tragic death in the 1920s gives the plot a mystical twist. The film weaves in enough supernatural lore to keep viewers intrigued, yet it never loses focus on the emotional core: the growing bond between Cole and Bea, and the eventual heart-wrenching dilemma Cole must face.
Cimino’s portrayal of Cole is both earnest and understated, as he navigates his grief while developing feelings for someone who technically isn’t even alive. His desire to keep Bea in his world is layered with a fear of losing someone important once again. List’s Bea, on the other hand, brings a lightness to the screen that keeps the story from feeling too heavy. She is a character that feels full of life despite her ghostly existence, and her sense of wonder at the modern world provides moments of levity.
As their relationship blossoms, Cole discovers a potential way to break the curse and set Bea free. It is here that Cole and Bea raises its most poignant question: when we love someone, do we hold on to them or let them go? The film handles this dilemma with nuance, never leaning too heavily into melodrama. Instead, it allows the characters to wrestle with their emotions in a way that feels real and grounded, even within the fantastical framework of the story.
The visuals of the film deserve mention, as the blending of 1920s aesthetics with modern-day life adds a unique touch. Bea’s ghostly presence is haunting yet beautiful, with the cinematography subtly highlighting the juxtaposition between the past and the present. The house itself becomes a character of sorts, its creaky floors and dimly lit corners evoking an eerie yet comforting atmosphere.
Though the film doesn’t stray far from familiar supernatural tropes, it shines in its ability to humanize both its ghostly and living characters. The script, while simple, is emotionally rich, and the pacing allows the viewer to invest in the relationship between Cole and Bea without rushing toward the climax. By the time Cole faces his final decision, the weight of their connection feels both profound and tragic.
Girl Haunts Boy may not be a groundbreaking entry in the ghost romance genre, but it is certainly a heartfelt one. It captures the bittersweetness of love, loss, and letting go, wrapped in the charm of a haunted house story. For fans of supernatural romances like Ghost or The Lovely Bones, this film offers a fresh, tender perspective on the power of love that transcends time—and the price we sometimes pay for holding on to it.
Ultimately, Girl Haunts Boy is a film about the living, the dead, and the choices we make when love asks us to let go. It reminds us that sometimes, the bravest thing we can do for someone we love is to set them free.