Movies to Watch Before Graduation

**Warning: this article may induce feelings of existential dread, melancholy, or wanderlust. Proceed at your own risk.**

“So, what are your post-grad plans?” 

This well-intentioned question frequently asked by the adults in my life incites a similar response to hearing nails on a chalkboard. At the start of our college journeys, this question functions more as an abstract thought experiment — after all, we have four long years to figure out an answer. However, as many of us quickly approach the end of our college careers, we learn to curate a carefully scripted, coherent-yet-vague response to appease our superiors’ well-intentioned curiosities. In reality, transitioning away from school, our closest friends, and the general comfort of being a kid is a nauseating thought. 

To ease the anxieties toward our one-way ticket into adulthood, I have curated a list of five films that tackle the all-too-familiar emotions that come with beginning a new phase in life. These movies explore themes of uncertainty, (un)fulfilled expectations, familial and friendship bonds, and finding joy in the mundane. Most importantly, many of these films show that being a nervous wreck in your 20s is one of the most human things we can experience. If you don’t have an hour and fifty minutes to spare, this list also includes notable songs from each film to set the general tone, because what is a great movie without an equally great soundtrack?

1. The Graduate (1967) 

Song: The entire soundtrack (Trust me on this one. The. Whole. Thing.)

COURTESY IMAGE // EMBASSY PICTURES

What better way to kick off this list than with an American classic? Darkly hilarious with a perfect soundtrack by Simon & Garfunkel, The Graduate is a must-watch for anyone who doesn’t know what the hell is going on in their life. The Graduate tells the story of Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman), a 21-year-old college graduate who begins an affair with his much older family friend, Mrs. Robinson. Ben further complicates his situation after falling for Mrs. Robinson’s more age-appropriate daughter, Elaine. While much of the movie is dedicated to exploring Ben’s relationships with Mrs. Robinson and Elaine, the main theme centers around his lack of direction after graduation, worsened by the imposing expectations set by the adults in his life. Though he is an “award-winning scholar” from a well-off family, Ben finds himself in limbo, unwilling to fully transition into adulthood. In the months following his graduation, Ben floats through life: lounging by the pool, hiding in his childhood bedroom, and attending functions with his family. The reason he feels stuck in life is relatable for many recent graduates — while Ben fears his uncertain future, he is more afraid of an unfulfilling life. Despite the monotony of his current state, Ben wants his future to be “different” from that of his materialistic parents; he wants to live a life of purpose rather than conform to the lifestyle those around him have grown accustomed to. Though this movie has an ambiguous ending and gives no clear answers as to whether Ben ends up living a fulfilled life, watching the protagonist navigate feelings of isolation, uncertainty, and irrationality is something many recent college graduates may resonate with.

2. Shiva Baby (2020)

Song: “Anxiety Attack” by Ariel Marx

COURTESY IMAGE // NEON HEART PRODUCTIONS

While most films on this list can qualify as comfort movies in one way or another, Shiva Baby relishes in the discomfort of its viewers. The movie follows Danielle (Rachel Sennott), a recent college graduate stuck at a shiva (a week-long Jewish mourning period) with her parents, ex-girlfriend, and sugar daddy, along with his wife and child. Shiva Baby is chaotic, claustrophobic, heartfelt, and so relatable it’s almost painful. The remainder of the film follows Danielle as she performs a tightrope act, balancing her lies, deceptions, and carefully-curated personas. One scene, in particular, features a nightmare-inducing scenario for any graduating senior: Danielle finds herself trapped talking with distant relatives and family friends who grill her about her choice of study, post-grad plans, romantic relationships, weight, etc. Danielle, who designed her own major and can’t quite articulate what she actually studied, attempts to defend her choice of study and intended career path. Danielle’s search for identity, combined with her feelings of inferiority and immaturity, resonates with audiences, transforming her into a flawed and highly-relatable character. The ending will comfort anyone feeling lost as a post-grad with the simple message that there will always be people rooting for you and your success. Even if you think you’re going about life all wrong, Shiva Baby shows that you’re never truly alone.

3. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

Song: “Dirty Paws” by Of Monsters and Men

COURTESY IMAGE // TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty poses the question of what it means to be satisfied with one’s life. Is it getting the girl? Is it leading a life of adventure or landing the top job? This movie suggests that pursuing satisfaction is a simpler journey than we make it out to be. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty follows the titular Walter (Ben Stiller), a photo processor for LIFE Magazine, who escapes reality through fantastical daydreams. In reality, Walter is awkward, nervous, and has difficulty connecting with those around him. Upon learning that LIFE is transitioning from print to digital format, Walter begins a globetrotting adventure in pursuit of the lost film negative intended to be developed for the final print’s cover photo. During his travels, Walter’s daydreams are slowly replaced by real-life adventures, including longboarding down a winding Icelandic road, climbing snowy mountains in Afghanistan, fighting a shark, and jumping out of a helicopter into icy waters below. Though Walter experiences these once-in-a-lifetime moments, the film emphasizes that the pursuit of adventure is not what activates Walter’s feelings of self-worth. Instead, Walter’s happiness comes from his choice to live in the moment and savor the small things in life. This movie can serve as a great comfort for those who fear living an unfulfilling, “ordinary” life. Walter is not a superhuman who changes his attitude toward life overnight. Instead, Walter rediscovers the joy of living not without fear, but in spite of it. 

4. The Worst Person in the World (2021)

Song: “Waters of March” by Art Garfunkel

COURTESY IMAGE // OSLO PICTURES

Despite the title, this film is not actually about the worst person in the world. Instead, it’s based on a popular Norwegian phrase where someone refers to themself as “the worst person in the world” whenever they make a mistake, a phrase that rings true to the film’s protagonist Julie (Renate Reinsve). The story is divided into twelve parts, with a prologue and epilogue, and follows Julie through a decade of her life as she flirts, fights, and confronts the existential dread associated with growing up and finding one’s purpose in life. As a teenager, Julie is an overachiever who attends college intending to become a doctor. However, she quickly becomes bored and shifts to psychology. When Julie burns that bridge, she shifts to photography, but again, rapidly loses interest. Suffering from chronic boredom, she often cuts and dyes her hair and seeks out new hobbies (and guys) in the pursuit of finding some greater meaning in life, and after college, she similarly struggles to find her purpose and put down roots. The Worst Person in the World confronts our affinity for dissatisfaction in our search for meaning. Julie explains that she feels like a spectator in her own life, lacking agency while everyone else seems to thrive. As the film progresses, though, Julie discovers that, at one point or another, everyone around her has felt like the worst person in the world. The ironic part is that none of them are the worst people; they’re just people who can learn from the mistakes that make them believe that they’re the worst. As we come of age, this film helps us understand that it’s ok to make mistakes, worry about our sense of purpose, or be unsure of what comes next. We’re all human, and we shouldn’t let our perceptions about the “right” way of living life get in the way of us actually living our lives.

5. Reality Bites (1994)

Song: “Road to Nowhere” by the Talking Heads

COURTESY IMAGE // UNIVERSAL PICTURES

“Hello, you’ve reached the winter of our discontent.” This quote, spoken by Ethan Hawke’s world-weary character, sums up what life immediately after graduation feels like. This movie is a great watch for college students because it explores post-grad life’s unabashed hubris. The film follows Lelaina (Winona Ryder) and her friends, who are thrust into the “real world” following college graduation. What makes this movie so relatable is its documentary-style format. We watch Lelaina film her friends discussing their goals in life and the impact they want to have on the world. Their ambitions are not dissimilar to the Gen Z mentality of wanting to change the world for the better. However, even after graduating as valedictorian of her class, we see Lelaina get fired from an entry-level job as a production assistant and undergo the devastating job search process. Even though she received academic validation and praise from the adults in her life, Lelaina realizes that she doesn’t know it all — she makes a lot of mistakes in her career, love life, and friendships. Lelaina is confronted with tough choices: to sell out or not sell out? Stay true to yourself or settle for financial comfort? Choose a safe or spontaneous partner? Cling to friendships or create distance to get to know yourself better? All of the characters are confronted with the harsh realities of growing up; however, the movie’s message isn’t to aim low and expect disappointment. Instead, Reality Bites encourages us to find comfort in ourselves and our friends who are just as confused as we are.

“I was really gonna be something by the age of 23.”

“Honey, all you have to be by the age of 23 is yourself.”

What makes these films great is that they address heavy subject matters all while finding time for humor that highlights the absurdity of growing up. This humor and humanity provide comfort and reassurance that we are not alone in our journeys. We can cherish the little moments while taking what is thrown at us in stride.

This list is far from complete when it comes to tackling a diverse range of emotions and experiences, and they can offer no concrete assurances for what lies ahead. For many, life after graduation is a horrifying, anxiety-riddled prospect, and our well-thought-out answer to “So what are your plans after college?” is never quite as cut and dry when put into practice. I do hope though that most readers on the precipice of a new journey can find solace (or at least little nuggets of wisdom) from at least one of these films. And if nothing else, you’ll at least have gotten to experience the genius of Simon & Garfunkel.