Girls Will Be Girls Christian Review

As I sat watching Girls Will Be Girls, Shuchi Talati’s debut feature, it was like stepping into a quiet storm. On the surface, it feels like a simple story of motherhood, girlhood, and all the aching in between. But beneath that subtle, almost still exterior, there’s a stirring—a deeper emotional undercurrent that tugs at something raw and universal. It’s like watching the waves of a gentle ocean break against the shore, knowing full well that there’s an entire world of tumultuous life swirling beneath the surface.

Talati approaches the relationship between mother and daughter with a sense of reverence and depth that is rarely seen in film today. It’s not flashy, it’s not loud, but it’s piercing in its quietness. This film could easily be mistaken for being too simple, too soft-spoken. Yet, I would argue that this quietness is its strength—like a whisper that holds more power than a scream. But, in that, also lies its challenge.

The Silent Symphony: A Mother-Daughter Dance

The heart of Girls Will Be Girls lies in the dynamic between the mother, played by Kani Kusruti, and her teenage daughter, portrayed by Ketaki Panigrahi. Their relationship is an unspoken tension, like a tightrope strung between two towers, neither one daring to make a bold move, yet both aware of how much is at stake.

What struck me the most is the way Talati lingers on the small things—glances that last just a bit too long, smiles that never quite reach the eyes, a hand almost reaching out before retreating back. These moments carry the weight of years of unresolved emotions, of misunderstandings that were never aired. You can feel the history between them in every scene, in every hesitation, and every unfinished sentence.

For Christian viewers, this emphasis on small gestures might resonate on a deeply spiritual level. It’s reminiscent of the way we are called to live out our faith in quiet, unseen acts of love and service (Matthew 6:1-4). In many ways, the film is a mirror to the way we sometimes experience our relationship with God—through the small, almost imperceptible ways in which He speaks to us, guiding us, comforting us, challenging us.

But here’s where things get tricky. As much as the film captures this relational tension, it doesn’t offer much in the way of resolution. We never quite see these characters break through the walls that divide them, and in that, there’s a kind of emotional stagnation. For Christians, this lack of resolution can feel unfulfilling. We are called to seek reconciliation, to forgive and to heal (Ephesians 4:32). In Girls Will Be Girls, there’s no real movement toward that kind of healing, and it’s difficult to watch relationships remain fractured, with no path forward.

The Burden of Generational Silence

What Girls Will Be Girls captures so beautifully is the weight of silence—the kind of silence that isn’t born out of peace, but out of fear, out of emotional fatigue. The mother and daughter rarely speak their truths to one another, and when they do, it’s often through coded language, or through actions that speak louder than words. For anyone who has ever experienced this kind of relational dynamic, it’s both heartbreaking and relatable.

In a Christian context, where communication and transparency are valued, this dynamic might feel frustrating. The Bible teaches us the importance of speaking truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), of bearing one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). And yet, these characters seem stuck—unable or unwilling to share their burdens with each other, to let down their guard.

There’s a particular scene that stands out in my mind, where the daughter gazes at her mother with a look that is both accusatory and pleading. It’s a powerful moment because, in that gaze, you see everything that has been left unsaid between them. And yet, even in that moment, no words are exchanged. The camera holds the shot for just a few seconds too long, making you uncomfortable, making you want to scream at the characters to just say something. Anything.

This kind of emotional restraint can be compelling in its own way, but for Christian viewers, it may leave something to be desired. We believe in the power of words to heal, to build up, to create connection (Proverbs 18:21). In Girls Will Be Girls, those words never come, and the silence remains a heavy burden that the characters continue to carry.

Heartbreak Wrapped in Beauty

There’s a kind of beauty in heartbreak, and Talati knows how to find it. The film doesn’t shy away from showing the messiness of life, of relationships. There’s a rawness to it, a vulnerability that makes you feel like you’re intruding on something deeply personal. Yet, at the same time, the film is incredibly restrained. It never dives too deep into the emotional turmoil—it lets you feel it from a distance, like watching a storm from the safety of your home.

This balance between emotional distance and intimacy is what makes Girls Will Be Girls so unique. It’s not a film that’s going to hit you over the head with big, dramatic moments. Instead, it’s going to creep up on you, quietly, slowly, until you realize just how much it has affected you. But again, for Christian viewers, the lack of overt resolution might feel like a missed opportunity. Where is the redemption? Where is the hope? These are questions that linger long after the film ends.

A Familiar Yet Elevated Story

At its core, Girls Will Be Girls is a coming-of-age story, and in that sense, it’s familiar territory. We’ve seen these kinds of mother-daughter dynamics before, in films that explore the complexities of growing up and the inevitable tensions that arise between parents and their children. But what sets this film apart is its attention to detail, its willingness to linger in the quiet moments, to find beauty in the mundane.

Yet, despite its strengths, the film doesn’t fully escape the trappings of its genre. There are moments where it feels a bit too familiar, a bit too comfortable in its emotional ambiguity. While it offers glimpses of something more, it never quite reaches the heights it seems capable of.

Conclusion: A Beautiful Film Lacking Spiritual Depth

In the end, Girls Will Be Girls is a film that will resonate with many viewers on an emotional level. It’s beautifully crafted, with strong performances and a keen eye for detail. But for Christian viewers, its lack of spiritual depth and resolution may leave something to be desired.

The film is a meditation on the complexities of relationships, but it stops short of offering any real answers or paths forward. In a world that is often messy and complicated, we need stories that remind us of the power of love, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Unfortunately, Girls Will Be Girls doesn’t quite deliver on that front.

Rating: 6/10

For its artistic merits and strong performances, Girls Will Be Girls earns a 6 out of 10. It’s a film worth watching for its emotional nuance and visual beauty, but for those looking for a more spiritually grounded narrative, it may fall short.