“Cinema” sees Styles singing about the early, uncertain phase of a relationship. He worries he isn’t cool enough for the person he is with and is nervous that he might come on too strong. The song’s emotional arc finds Styles being a confident man at the song’s ending, basking in the happiness of mutual affection (and great sex) brings him.

Styles has not officially commented on the song’s meaning, however, it has been speculated that the song refers to his relationship with director Olivia Wilde, who he met on the set of the film, Don’t Worry Darling and dated from 2021-2022.