What Is The Graduates About?
The premise of The Graduates in 275 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the waning days of high school, a close‑knit group of five seniors finds itself on the cusp of adulthood against the backdrop of a quiet, rural town. Their lives intersect in classrooms, locker halls, and the open fields where they’ve spent countless afternoons dreaming about the futures that lie just beyond graduation. The film captures the bittersweet rhythm of senior year—late‑night study sessions, whispered plans for post‑school life, and the lingering uncertainty that comes with leaving something familiar behind.
When the calendar flips to senior week, the friends seize the moment to carve out a collective memory. With a borrowed car, a cooler of liquor, and a shared sense of reckless optimism, they set out for the bustling boardwalk of Ocean City, a seaside escape that promises freedom, laughter, and the kind of unfiltered conversation only a vacation can inspire. Along the way, their banter oscillates between light‑hearted ribbing and sincere confessions, revealing the fragile balance between teenage bravado and the yearning for genuine connection.
At the heart of the story is Ben, an eager 18‑year‑old whose yearning to impress the most popular girl in their circle fuels his every move. He leans on his older brother Josh for guidance, while navigating the dynamics of his friends—Andy, Mattie, and Nickie—each bringing their own quirks, insecurities, and unspoken hopes to the mix. A teasing sidekick named Brian adds a ripple of comic tension, underscoring the group’s camaraderie. Together, they drift through a series of sun‑soaked days and neon‑lit nights, their interactions a blend of humor, awkward flirtations, and the earnest quest to define who they will become once the cap and gown are finally worn.
What Happens in The Graduates?
The complete story of The Graduates, from the first scene to the last, in 566 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout.
Spoilers ahead
Ben, an 18-year-old recent high school graduate from Maryland, heads toward Senior Week with a simple plan: to hang out with friends, celebrate, and pursue Annie, the hottest girl in their circle. As he waits outside a Columbia liquor store for his older brother Josh, Ben mutters to himself, trying to keep his nerves in check. A friend named Brian overhears and teases him, briefly embarrassing him in front of the group. When Josh finally appears, he hands Ben a bag of liquor, and the two set out to gather Ben’s three close friends—Andy, Mattie, and Nickie—and the crew is quickly back on the road toward Ocean City.
The drive becomes a snapshot of their inexperience. Through jokes and earnest chatter, they rehearse lines about sex and flirtation, revealing a shaky, sometimes comic naiveté about relationships and romance. The trip feels like a rite of passage, a hazy transition from high school conventions to the messier, more complicated world of growing up. By the time they reach Ocean City, the group is ready to let loose, and a night of drinking soon spirals toward a party setting.
Annie makes a dramatic entrance at the party, instantly catching Ben’s attention. He slides into a seat beside her, and what begins as a flirtation grows into a momentary connection as they share a kiss. The mood darkens when Nickie gets into a fight, which shatters the party and prompts Annie to leave, bringing an abrupt end to what had seemed like a promising night. The morning after finds the group already cataloging the consequences of their decisions as the days unwind.
The next day’s plan unfolds with the familiar drift of a weekend that refuses to slow down. They spend time cruising the boardwalk, soaking in the sights and sounds of a sunlit Atlantic shoreline town. The group finds their way back to Ben’s condo, where they fall into a casual, rowdy game—an informal rite of passage that tests leadership and camaraderie among friends. The game, known as Asshole, becomes a small arena for social maneuvering: Andy rises to president, demanding that Nickie toast his leadership; after a tense exchange, Ben steps up as vice president and calls for a more intimate kind of confession.
What follows is a string of candid, slightly awkward revelations. Josh shares a long, graphic tale about losing his virginity, a memory that tugs at the edges of pride and vulnerability. That exchange opens a broader, uneasy conversation about relationships and even divorce—a topic that feels out of place amid carefree vacations but is somehow inevitable in the evolving dynamic of their group.
Throughout the week, the young men and their circle encounter a parade of quirky, offbeat characters and situations that keep the energy high even as the conversations lean into real-world concerns. The tone remains light and humorous on the surface, but beneath the antics there’s a steady undercurrent of trying to figure out who they are, what they want, and how far they’re willing to go to make memorable moments during a pivotal chapter of their lives.
In the end, the story weaves together the chaos of youth with the first faint glimmers of responsibility. It tracks a group of friends as they stumble through awkward social lessons, navigate crushes and conflicts, and learn that growth often arrives wrapped in laughter, mischief, and the stubborn, defining uncertainties of early adulthood.
The Graduates Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
11 key events in the order they happen, from “Pre-trip: Outside a Columbia liquor store” to “Growth and awkward humor amidst Senior Week”. 11 events name a place, across 8 locations.
- 1
Pre-trip: Outside a Columbia liquor store
Ben, freshly out of high school, waits outside a liquor store in Columbia, Maryland, bound for Senior Week. He talks to himself, unknowingly drawing attention until Brian overhears him and shames him. Josh then hands him a bag of liquor, signaling the start of the trip.
When:Before leaving for Ocean City Where:Columbia, Maryland (outside a liquor store)
- 2
Drive to Ocean City: the crew forms
Ben and Josh pick up Ben's three friends, Andy, Mattie, and Nickie, and begin the drive to Ocean City. The group discusses sex and the trip's expectations, exposing their naiveté about adult relationships. The car becomes a space for immature bravado and budding adventures.
When:During the drive to Ocean City Where:In the car en route to Ocean City
- 3
Arrival in Ocean City and the party scene
The group arrives in Ocean City, gets drunk, and heads to a party to kick off Senior Week. The atmosphere buzzes with anticipation and reckless energy. The night sets the tone for the weekend's misadventures.
When:Evening of arrival Where:Ocean City
- 4
Annie's entrance and Ben's distraction
Annie, Ben's crush, enters the party and instantly distracts him from the surrounding chaos. He finds himself sitting beside her, attempting to flirt amid the crowded room. The moment signals a shift in focus toward romance rather than pure mischief.
When:Evening Where:Ocean City party
- 5
Kiss interrupted: Nickie's fight and Annie's departure
Ben and Annie begin to kiss, drawing Ben deeper into the moment. Nickie escalates into a fight, bringing the party to a chaotic halt. Annie leaves in the wake of the confrontation, truncating the night's festivities.
When:Evening Where:Ocean City party
- 6
Next day: boardwalk exploration
The group spends the next day cruising the boardwalk and exploring Ocean City's sights. They revel in the freedom of being away from home and testing boundaries. The mood shifts from party-driven to a broader exploration of their friendships.
When:Next day Where:Ocean City boardwalk
- 7
Back at Ben's condo and the drunken game
Returning to Ben's condo, the friends settle into a round of the card game Asshole. The game's social hierarchy starts to reveal their dynamics and confidence levels. Laughter and brash banter fill the room as the evening unfolds.
When:Same day evening Where:Ben's condo, Ocean City
- 8
Vice President and a call for confessions
Andy becomes president of the game; Nickie is commanded to toast him, triggering a tense exchange. Ben then becomes Vice President and calls for a confession from the group. The moment underscores the boys' bravado and hidden insecurities.
When:Same night Where:Ben's condo
- 9
Josh's virginity story and the divorce talk
Josh shares a vivid story about losing his virginity, fueling a string of crude jokes and uneasy laughter. The conversation quickly shifts toward more awkward territory as the topic turns to divorce. The night reveals the fragility and complexity of male friendships.
When:Same night Where:Ben's condo
- 10
The week spins on: zany encounters
Throughout the ensuing week, the young men encounter a multitude of zany characters and situations. Each encounter tests their naiveté and pushes them toward unexpected discoveries. The week becomes a montage of mishaps, misread signals, and dubious decisions.
When:Throughout the week Where:Ocean City, various locations
- 11
Growth and awkward humor amidst Senior Week
Under the strain of Senior Week, the group learns lessons about friendship, desire, and responsibility. The events expose both their immaturity and their capacity to adjust to new social dynamics. The narrative leans into the humor and awkwardness of growing up.
When:Throughout the week Where:Ocean City
Who Are the Main Characters in The Graduates?
6 characters, among them Ben, Annie and Josh: who each one is and the part they play in the story.
- B
Ben
An 18-year-old recent high school graduate from Maryland who is eager to fit in and pursue his crush on Annie. He reveals his naiveté about sex and dating, often overthinking interactions. Throughout the trip, he navigates between his feelings for Annie and the boisterous group dynamics, seeking belonging and clarity.
- 🎭 Naiveté
- 💘 Crush dynamics
- 🧭 Identity
- A
Annie
The object of Ben's affection who enters the party and captures his attention. Her presence catalyzes Ben's flirtations and the night's tension. She leaves after a fight involving Nickie, serving as a catalyst rather than a fully explored character within the group’s arc.
- 💃 Crush
- 🎉 Party catalyst
- J
Josh
Ben's older brother who accompanies the group and offers guidance on flirting and social dynamics. He speaks with a brash, instructive tone, sharing his 'secret' about body language and trying to steer the younger guys, sometimes with mixed results.
- 👨🏫 Mentor
- 🗣️ Brash
- A
Andy
A friend in the group who becomes president during the card game 'Asshole' and uses that role to influence the group's dynamics. His assertive leadership contrasts with quieter moments of vulnerability among the friends.
- 👑 Leader
- 🗯️ Boisterous
- M
Mattie
A member of the friend group who participates in the week of social escapades and conversations. Mattie contributes to the crew’s camaraderie and follows the group’s lead during impulsive moments.
- 🤝 Friend
- 🌀 Sidekick
- N
Nickie
Another friend whose actions include getting into a fight at the party, triggering tensions and fueling the night’s chaos. Nickie’s behavior influences the group’s conversations about sex, relationships, and boundaries.
- 🥊 Conflict
- 🧭 Boundaries
Where and When Is The Graduates Set?
The Graduates is set in Columbia, Maryland, Ocean City and Maryland (Late spring to early summer after high school graduation). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Late spring to early summer after high school graduation
The events unfold during Senior Week, a period of parties and social exploration for recently graduated teens. The group travels from Columbia, Maryland to Ocean City for a week of nightlife and misadventures. The timeframe centers on budding independence and the thrill of acting older than they are.
Where
Columbia, Maryland, Ocean City, Maryland
Ocean City, Maryland is a coastal resort town known for its beaches and lively boardwalk. The story moves from a Columbia liquor store stop to a week of seaside partying in Ocean City during Senior Week. The setting provides sun, drinks, and a carefree atmosphere that fuels the group’s impulsive decisions. The condo gatherings and boardwalk outings anchor the film’s youthful energy.
- 🌊 Ocean City
- 🎉 Party Scene
- 🏖️ Boardwalk
What Are the Themes of The Graduates?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Coming of Age, Peer Pressure and Miscommunication.
-
01
Coming of Age
The film follows Ben and his friends as they transition from high school to adulthood. It explores their attempts to navigate romance, flirtations, and the boundaries of growing up. Naiveté, peer pressure, and the desire to fit in are central as they test what they think they know about sex and relationships.
-
02
Peer Pressure
The group is shaped by a dynamic where older influence and bravado push younger members to act beyond their years. Josh tries to coach the younger guys on seducing women, often mixing confidence with missteps. The atmosphere of Senior Week amplifies impulsive decisions and the willingness to take risks.
-
03
Miscommunication
Ben’s pursuit of Annie is marked by misread signals and awkward exchanges that reveal how easily intentions can be misinterpreted. The 'secret' about female body language, as discussed by the group, underscores how words and actions can diverge. The result is a string of misunderstandings that drive tension and humor.
What Kind of Film Is The Graduates?
Light in tone, with steady pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Light
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- Low
A lighthearted and nostalgic coming-of-age comedy that captures the awkward, hopeful, and slightly chaotic energy of a group of friends experiencing their last taste of freedom before adulthood.
- adolescent
- nostalgic
- awkward
- youthful
- carefree
- anticipatory
- coming of age
- friendship
- high school
- teenage sexuality
Content notes: alcohol use, underage drinking.
Where to Watch The Graduates
. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Streaming availability in the US, powered by 
