"A dance of friendship, desire, and difficult choices—The Kissing Booth 2 raises the stakes of young love."
After the unexpected charm and success of the first film, The Kissing Booth 2 returns with Elle Evans (Joey King) at the center of an even more complicated whirlwind of emotions. Now in her senior year of high school, Elle struggles to balance her relationship with Noah Flynn (Jacob Elordi), who has left for Harvard, with her deep friendship with Lee Flynn (Joel Courtney). The sequel immediately raises the stakes—long-distance love, friendship tested by secrets, and the looming pressure of college decisions make Elle’s world more fragile than ever.
At the heart of the story is Elle’s internal conflict: the growing distance between her and Noah leaves room for insecurity to creep in, especially when a new, charismatic classmate, Marco (Taylor Zakhar Perez), enters the scene. Marco’s effortless charm, his shared passions, and undeniable chemistry with Elle complicate what once seemed like unshakable love. The film cleverly sets up a love triangle, but beneath the teenage glamour lies a story about trust, identity, and how difficult it can be to hold on to something when the world around you is pulling you in different directions.
Lee, Elle’s lifelong best friend, also faces his own turmoil as his relationship with Rachel (Meganne Young) begins to feel threatened by Elle’s constant presence. The movie doesn’t just explore romantic love but also dives into the fragile ecosystem of friendship—how easily jealousy, unspoken expectations, and a lack of communication can break bonds that once felt unbreakable. Through Lee and Elle, the film reflects the bittersweet truth that growing up often means growing apart, even from those we once thought inseparable from.
Visually, the film sparkles with the same glossy, youthful energy of the first installment, with bright California sunshine and vibrant school hallways framing the drama. Yet, the sequel feels heavier, more layered, reflecting Elle’s emotional journey. The dance competition sequences, the secret glances, and the stolen moments between Elle and Marco heighten the tension, turning a lighthearted teen rom-com into a more emotionally charged exploration of love and choices.
One of the film’s most resonant themes is Elle’s fear of losing herself. Torn between loyalty to Lee, love for Noah, and an undeniable attraction to Marco, she begins to question who she really is outside of the roles she plays for others. The sequel shines in showing how young love, no matter how intense, cannot shield someone from the harsh realities of change, distance, and the pressure of choosing one’s future.
In the end, The Kissing Booth 2 is more than a continuation of teenage romance—it is a poignant portrayal of first love tested by time, of friendships reshaped by growth, and of the daunting transition between adolescence and adulthood. It reminds us that love, in all its messy forms, is never easy to hold on to, but it is always worth the risk of heartbreak.
