POST GRAD
An uneven comedy about discovering relationships matter more than success.
Should You Watch It?
POST GRAD has one clear strength: Alexis Bledel gives a charming, fun performance as Ryden. The film also lands on a worthwhile idea: family and relationships are more valuable than success in business.
But the movie around her is weak. The story is uneven, the directing is average, and Michael Keaton and Carol Burnett are left doing unfunny things and delivering unfunny dialogue. The content also makes this a poor family choice, with plenty of foul language, an interrupted attempt to disrobe for sexual relations, and drinking that includes drunkenness.
You may find its themes worthwhile, but the film is not strong enough to justify its content for a shared family viewing. Wait for home, and reserve it for discerning adults.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESRyden is a success-driven recent graduate whose post-graduate plans unravel when she fails to land her dream job. She moves back home with her quirky family and struggles to find work while her father pulls her into one harebrained scheme after another.
Meanwhile, her best friend Adam hopes they can become more than friends, but Ryden is enamored with the next-door neighbor. Her career ambitions and relationships force her to reconsider what she truly wants.
Is It Any Good?
Two stars means POST GRAD has a likable center but not enough around it. Alexis Bledel holds the film together with a charming, fun performance as Ryden.
The story is weak, and that weakness affects the comedy. Michael Keaton and Carol Burnett do unfunny things and say unfunny dialogue. The directing is average, with very little to recommend.
The Worldview
POST GRAD presents a strong romantic worldview mixed with a moral theme: family is more important than success in business. Ryden begins as a success-driven graduate whose plans center on finding the right job. As those plans unravel, the film points her toward the value of family and relationships instead.
That moral emphasis is a genuine point of alignment with a biblical view of life. Scripture warns that material success cannot provide the deepest good: “Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it” (Proverbs 15:17). The film’s romantic focus, however, remains central to its worldview, and its sexual situation and drinking keep the message from being a clean family presentation.
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Strong Romantic worldview mixed with a moral theme of family being more important than success in business; 22 obscenities and 12 profanities; slapstick soap box derby crash and “fender bender” car crash; unmarried couple starts to disrobe for sexual relations but are interrupted, plus passionate kissing; upper male nudity; drinking of beer and wine, including getting drunk; no smoking or drugs; and, dysfunctional family portrayed.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Ryden measures her future by career success. What does Scripture call true gain, and how can work become an idol?
Matthew 6:19–21 · 1 Timothy 6:6–8The film argues that family and relationships matter more than business success. What does it look like to love your family through disappointment?
Romans 12:10 · Galatians 6:2Ryden and Adam struggle to understand what they want from their relationship. What qualities should guide romantic relationships?
1 Corinthians 13:4–7 · Philippians 2:3–4The film includes drinking, including drunkenness. Why does Scripture warn against drunkenness, and what kind of self-control does God desire?
Ephesians 5:18 · Galatians 5:22–23The Final Word
POST GRAD has a worthwhile message about family and relationships, along with a charming lead performance. Its weak story, average direction, unfunny comedy, and adult content make it better suited to discerning adults watching at home. Our answer is WAIT FOR HOME — ADULTS ONLY. For a family-friendly alternative, see.
