Finding a movie that captures the exact, frantic energy of being nineteen in Manhattan is harder than it looks. Most films get it wrong. They make the apartments too big or the friendships too clean. But when you watch Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List, you're stepping into a very specific kind of chaos that feels remarkably real, even if the plot leans into the tropes of the mid-2010s YA boom.
It's messy. It’s loud.
Based on the 2007 novel by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan—the same powerhouse duo behind Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist—the film adaptation landed on the scene back in 2015. It didn't have the massive blockbuster budget of a Marvel flick, but it had something better: an honest look at what happens when a "platonic" soulmate bond starts to suffocate both people involved.
The Setup You Probably Recognize (But It Goes Deeper)
Naomi and Ely have been inseparable since they were kids. They live in the same apartment building. They share everything. To protect their friendship from the inevitable drama of teenage hormones, they created the "No Kiss List." It's exactly what it sounds like. A list of guys that are strictly off-limits to both of them so they never have to compete.
It sounds simple. It’s not.
Naomi, played by Victoria Justice, is secretly in love with Ely. She thinks he’ll eventually "grow out" of being gay or that she’ll be the one exception to his rule. It’s a heartbreakingly common delusion. Ely (Pierson Fodé), meanwhile, is just trying to live his life without being Naomi’s accessory.
The breaking point? Gabriel.
Gabriel is Naomi’s boyfriend, but he’s also the guy Ely actually falls for. When Ely breaks the list and kisses Gabriel, the whole foundation of their friendship doesn't just crack—it explodes. This isn't just a movie about a guy stealing a girl's boyfriend. It’s about the toxic codependency that builds up when you refuse to let your friends grow into different people.
Why the Setting is a Character on Its Own
New York City in this film isn't the postcard version. It's the version where you spend a lot of time on rooftops, in cramped kitchens, and walking through Washington Square Park feeling like the world is ending because of a text message.
If you decide to watch Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List, pay attention to the production design. The way Naomi’s room is decorated tells you everything you need to know about her refusal to leave childhood behind. It’s cluttered. It’s colorful. It’s a fortress.
Director Kristin Hanggi, who is perhaps best known for her work on Rock of Ages on Broadway, brings a certain theatricality to the scenes. There are moments that feel almost like a stage play, focusing heavily on the dialogue and the shifting power dynamics between the two leads. It captures that specific NYU-adjacent vibe where everyone thinks their problems are the most important things to ever happen in the history of the universe.
Honestly, we've all been that person at least once.
The Complexity of the No Kiss List Concept
The list itself is a fascinating narrative device. While it’s meant to prevent conflict, it actually creates a vacuum where honesty goes to die. By making certain people "off-limits," Naomi and Ely stop talking about their actual feelings.
- The List as a Shield: It protects Naomi from facing the reality of Ely's sexuality.
- The List as a Cage: It prevents Ely from exploring genuine connections because he's constantly checking them against Naomi's "rules."
- The Breaking of the List: This is the only way the characters can actually become adults.
Most teen movies treat the "betrayal" as the end of the world. Here, it’s treated as a necessary, albeit painful, evolution. You can’t keep your best friend in a glass jar forever. Eventually, the glass has to break so you can both breathe.
Does it hold up in 2026?
Looking back at it now, some of the 2015-era fashion and tech feels like a time capsule. The skinny jeans, the specific way people used social media—it's all there. But the core emotion? That's evergreen. The feeling of realizing your best friend is no longer the person you thought they were is universal.
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Victoria Justice gives a performance that is often overlooked. She has to play Naomi as both incredibly annoying and deeply sympathetic. You want to shake her, but you also want to give her a hug. That’s a tough line to walk. Pierson Fodé brings a warmth to Ely that makes you understand why Naomi is so obsessed with him, even when he’s being selfish.
Where to Stream and How to Watch
If you're looking to watch Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List, it's generally available on major VOD platforms. It spent a long time as a staple on Netflix, which is where most people originally discovered it.
- Check Netflix first, as it often cycles back into their "Teen Favorites" category.
- It's available for rent or purchase on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.
- Sometimes you can find it on free, ad-supported services like Tubi or Pluto TV depending on your region.
The film is a breezy 89 minutes. It doesn't overstay its welcome. It gets in, breaks your heart, gives you a catchy soundtrack, and leaves you thinking about your own "lists."
Addressing the Critics and the "Cringe" Factor
Let’s be real for a second. Some people find this movie "cringe."
The dialogue can be fast and a bit stylized. Some of the supporting characters are caricatures of New York types—the eccentric neighbor, the hipster artist. But that’s sort of the point. When you’re nineteen, everyone around you feels like a character in the movie of your life.
The "cringe" is actually just the discomfort of seeing how dramatic we all used to be. If you can lean into that nostalgia instead of fighting it, the movie is a total blast. It’s a reminder that growing up is mostly just a series of awkward mistakes and misplaced loyalties.
Why This Movie Matters for the YA Genre
Before the massive wave of "prestige" teen dramas like Euphoria, we had movies like this. Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List sits in that middle ground between the "bubblegum" Disney era and the "gritty" HBO era. It’s colorful and bright, but it deals with real issues like divorce, infidelity, and the fear of being alone.
It handles Ely’s sexuality without making it a "coming out" story. He’s already out. He’s already comfortable. The conflict isn't that he’s gay; the conflict is that he’s a person who makes mistakes in relationships. That felt revolutionary in 2015 and it still feels refreshing now. We need more stories where queer characters are allowed to be messy and flawed without their entire identity being the "problem" to be solved.
Practical Steps for Your Next Movie Night
If you're planning to sit down and finally watch Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List, here is how to get the most out of it:
- Pair it with a Double Feature: Watch it alongside Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist. They share the same DNA and the same "NYC at night" vibe. It’s a perfect duo for a rainy Friday night.
- Don't Google the Ending: The way the "list" is resolved is actually quite bittersweet. It’s not a standard Hollywood happy ending where everything goes back to the way it was. Let yourself be surprised by the emotional maturity of the final act.
- Listen to the Soundtrack: Seriously. The music is a curated mix of indie-pop that perfectly captures that mid-2010s era. It’ll probably end up on your "Throwback" playlist.
Ultimately, the film teaches us that "No Kiss Lists" are useless. You can’t legislate human emotion. You can't draw a line in the sand and expect people not to cross it. Life is going to get messy, people are going to kiss the wrong people, and your best friend might break your heart.
The goal isn't to avoid the mess—it's to find the people who are worth cleaning it up with.
Go find the film on your preferred streaming service. Pay attention to the quiet moments between the shouting matches. It’s a small movie with a big heart, and it deserves a spot on your "must-watch" list of New York stories.