Girl Haunts Boy Review | A Cute Supernatural Romance Fit for Fall

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As someone who’s been a lifelong enthusiast of supernatural tales and romantic melodramas, I must say that “Girl Haunts Boy” is a delightful addition to the genre. The film manages to capture the essence of love across time without resorting to overly sentimental or ethereal elements, which is quite refreshing.

The history of romantic tales with supernatural elements can be traced back to ancient mythology, and there’s a good reason for this. True love, as we know, can be both painful and elusive, and a straightforward portrayal isn’t always popular. By setting it in a fantastical, mythical, or supernatural world, it becomes more enchanting and romantic without having to grapple with its complexities. Movies like “Beauty and the Beast,” “Ghost,” and modern YA romances have all done this. “Girl Haunts Boy” follows suit, offering a delightful, easy-going film featuring Peyton List and Michael Cimino. Although it doesn’t bring anything new to the table, it effectively uses the format.

As a storyteller, I’d like to share with you the tale of Bea, an inquisitive and mischievous 17-year-old student from the roaring ’20s. Her class made a trip to the museum, but curiosity got the better of her. She ventured beyond the designated areas and stumbled upon a captivating green ring. In a moment of impulse, she decided to take it. However, her luck ran out as soon as she exited the museum; an old car ran over her, ending her life on the spot. The speed at which the car was moving in the ’20s (around 15 miles per hour) isn’t relevant here – this wasn’t just any ordinary ring, it was cursed.

100 years from now, meet high school student Cole, portrayed subtly yet effectively by Michael Cimino. His mother has relocated them to a new suburban residence as an effort to rebuild after the loss of his father. Grieving deeply, Cole leads a rather secluded life; his dad was a passionate music enthusiast, and their shared interest becomes one of Cole’s primary solace sources. However, everything shifts when he stumbles upon half of a green ring. When he dons it, the spirit of Bea manifests, and he is the only one who perceives her.

Ghost Meets World

Initially, Cole is appropriately startled, while Cimino takes advantage to inject some humor through a touch of slapstick and mime involving the unseen ghost girl. Bea, however, finds herself both puzzled yet elated at the chance to converse with someone. Unlike other supernatural romances, this one lacks the usual ethereal, eerie, or psychedelic feel; instead, Bea appears as she did a century ago, well-groomed and greeting warmly, almost as if saying ‘hello!’ The atmosphere remains cheerful, less frightening than classic supernatural tales such as “The Ghost and Mrs. Muir”.

In the unique supernatural romance story, “Girl Haunts Boy”, Bea’s century-long leap aids its distinctiveness from typical genre tales. Instead of engaging in pottery wheel collaboration, Cole and Bea forge a connection by delving into each other’s cultural backgrounds. Notably, Cole provides Bea with a concise overview of 20th-century culture, using his passion for music as the lens. He covers an array of musical genres such as big band, bebop, blues, rock, mods, punk, disco, and even David Bowie’s peculiarities, along with their relevant cultural milestones.

In my opinion, the heart of the movie lies in an extended sequence that unfolds around midway through. It’s filled with a series of montages, a dance number under twinkling stars, some late-night chats, and a stroll down memory lane. The way Bea and Cole connect is nothing short of delightful. Their conversation about hypothetical concerts featuring musicians from the past century, such as Post Malone sharing a stage with Cole Porter, creates an inviting autumn ambiance and leaves a lasting impression.

Pacing Problems Before an Unexpectedly Good Ending

The film titled Girl Haunts Boy loses momentum significantly after reaching its midpoint. Instead of maintaining the fast-paced narrative we saw in the initial 45 minutes, it becomes bogged down by extensive explanations about the ring and its powers, a lengthy love ballad, and overly dramatic dialogues that seem to drag on. As a result, the lively tempo from earlier transforms into a rather sluggish pace.

Luckily, the characters in this film are engaging enough to keep viewers invested, and despite some predictable Young Adult tropes, it ultimately delivers an unexpectedly deep and fulfilling conclusion, complete with a poignant and stunning final scene. While it may not offer anything groundbreaking, for those seeking a Spooktober experience that isn’t too intense, this film certainly fills a niche. It’s an ideal choice for autumn evenings if you’re in the mood to snuggle up with someone while sipping hot apple cider (or enjoying some solitary relaxation and dreaming of that moment).

As a cinephile, I’m excited to share that you can now rent or own “Girl Haunts Boy” digitally, or stream it instantly on Netflix! Here’s the link for easy access: [Netflix Streaming Link] Enjoy the chills!

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2024-10-18 03:03