The After movie franchise isn’t the only One Direction-inspired fan fiction turned movie. Prime Video will premiere The Idea of You on May 4, and it’s evident that Harry Styles inspired a certain character.
The Idea of You, a film based on Robinne Lee's 2017 novel of the same name, is about a romance that starts with an epic meet-cute at Coachella. Art gallerist and divorced single mom Soléne (Anne Hathaway) is entangled with Hayes (Nicholas Galitzine), an internationally renowned boy band frontman.
Why Hayes from The Idea of You is Like Harry Styles
There are legions of fans who have developed entire theories about whether Galitzine’s character from The Idea of You could be inspired by Harry Styles. And we're here to explain why these fans might be right.
1. Both Hayes and Harry Styles have random tattoos
It’s hard to miss the tattoo similarity between Harry Styles and Hayes, the boy band member of the fictional band called August Moon.
Hayes has a collection of tattoos that mirror the eclectic and sometimes bizarre ink patterns Styles is known for. Fans spotted Hayes' sleeve and immediately drew comparisons to Styles' infamous tattoos.
2. Hayes poses exactly like Harry Styles back in 1D
Prime Video's promotional material features a fictional boy band called August Moon, with Hayes front and centre. This struck a chord with Directioners, who noted that Galitzine’s pose resembles Style’s in One Direction's group photos.
There's even a very specific pose where Hayes rests his hand on his chin, mimicking a pose Styles struck in a 1D promo shoot. Coincidence? Maybe or maybe not.
3. 1D has five members, and so does August Moon
August Moon is a five-man boy band, just like One Direction. With members named Oliver, Simon, Rory, and Adrian alongside Hayes, it's not a far cry from Styles, Liam Payne, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik.
The fact that both bands share a quintet setup has fans speculating that this is more than just a happy accident.
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4. Coachella Performances that Feel Like a 1D Throwback
The meet-cute between Solène (Anne Hathaway) and Hayes takes place at Coachella, where August Moon performs. The scene closely resembles One Direction's earlier tours, especially the 2013 Take Me Home tour.
Fans are amused by the many similarities, pointing out the parallels between the fictional band's Coachella set and One Direction concert footage.
5. Hayes has a similar style to Styles
Harry Styles' fashion evolution is iconic, from the black skinny jeans of his early One Direction days to his bold, gender-fluid styles today.
Hayes sticks to the classic boy-band look in The Idea of You: black skinny jeans and fitted shirts, echoing Styles' early wardrobe choices. You might think you're watching Styles on stage during the Take Me Home tour if you squint.
6. Even the music is from the same songwriters of 1D
Prime Video released one of August Moon's fictional songs, Dance Before We Walk, ahead of the film's premiere. It turns out the song was written by Carl Folk and Savan Kotecha, who also wrote many hits for One Direction, including their debut single What Makes You Beautiful and Live While We're Young.
With these familiar songwriters in the mix, it's hard to deny the connection not only between Hayes and Styles, but the fictional boyband and One Direction.
7. They both like older women
Finally, let's talk about Hathaway who plays Solène in The Idea of You. Solène is a divorced single mom who is older than Hayes—a common theme in Styles' romantic life.
Styles famously dated women like Taylor Swift and Olivia Wilde, who was ten years his senior.
The Verdict: Is Hayes Really Based on Harry Styles?
Officially, the filmmakers deny any direct connection between Hayes and Styles. But when you consider the tattoos, the boy band setup, the concert scenes, the wardrobe, and the romantic interest in older women, it's hard to overlook the similarities.
Whether or not Hayes is truly based on Styles, the film has certainly captured the hearts and imaginations of One Direction fans everywhere.
Ready to judge for yourself? The Idea of You premieres on Prime Video on May 4, following its world premiere at SXSW on March 16.
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