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Get a Job (2016) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Get a Job (2016) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2016 · 83 min · English
JustWatch #4,523 11
Directed by
Dylan Kidd

After losing his job, a man finds himself facing financial hardship and turns to his friends for help. He proposes a unique and somewhat desperate plan, leaving them to decide whether to support him or challenge his request. The film follows his journey as he navigates this difficult situation and tries to get back on his feet.

Comedy Cast, crew & box office
On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (8)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like Get a Job
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Get a Job (2016)

Where can you watch Get a Job? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Hoopla, Kanopy and Plex: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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8 main characters · contains spoilers

Get a Job Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Get a Job (2016), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Will Davis

    A newly minted graduate who faces a downed internship and mounting pressure from family and a goal-oriented girlfriend. He takes a night manager job at a shabby motel, uploads a video that goes viral, and eventually finds a path toward founding his own video production company. Will evolves from anxious conformity to confident entrepreneurship, driven by a desire for autonomy and creative control.

    • 🔥 Ambitious
    • 💼 Career-focused
    • 🤝 Loyal friend

  • Jillian

    Will’s driven girlfriend who loses her own job and moves in with Will and his friends. She embodies contemporary ambition and resilience, supporting Will while navigating her own professional setbacks. Her presence sharpens the tension between ambition and stability within the group.

    • 💪 Independent
    • 🎯 Goal-oriented
    • ❤️ Relationship-driven

  • Luke

    Will’s roommate who pursues a sense of success through being a stock trader but ends up as a poorly treated office clerk. He shows the gap between desire and reality, yet remains capable of growth as the story progresses. Luke’s arc reflects the cutthroat nature of entry-level work in a competitive economy.

    • 💡 Persistent
    • 🧭 Grounded
    • 🧪 Analytical

  • Ethan

    The slacker roommate who pitches an app, iStalkU, but repeatedly stalls at momentum. His journey highlights the volatility of tech ideas and the importance of execution. Eventually, his persistence with his app yields a breakthrough, illustrating that failure can be a stepping stone.

    • 🚶‍♂️ Quirky
    • 🧠 Innovative
    • 💪 Persistent

  • Charlie

    The stoner roommate who ends up teaching sixth grade chemistry and later finds direction by coaching the school basketball team. His character arc suggests that purpose can surface in unexpected places, challenging stereotypes about brilliance and motivation. He learns to channel energy into mentorship and leadership.

    • 🎭 Rebellious
    • 🧭 Rejuvenated
    • 🏀 Motivated

  • Roger Davis

    Will’s father, who loses his job after a long tenure and becomes obsessed with finding his own dream position at IBM. He is saved from an embarrassing moment by Will’s video resume, illustrating the generational shift in how people market themselves. Roger’s arc culminates in landing a new, fulfilling role, bridging past and present career ideals.

    • 🧔 Stoic
    • 🎯 Determined
    • 💼 Proud

  • Skeezy D

    A pimp who uses the motel for his prostitution ring, catalyzing Will’s first major test and eventual professional downfall when the operation is busted. His presence marks a contrast between illegitimate hustle and Will’s emergent legitimate path. The fallout from this encounter propels Will toward more ethical pursuits.

    • 🕵️‍♂️ Shady
    • 🔒 Risky
    • 🧩 Catalyst

  • Katherine

    Will’s narcissistic manager at the executive placement firm who initially impreses him with opportunities but embodies the manipulative, performance-driven corporate culture. Her dynamic with Will underscores the lure and danger of prestige. Will ultimately rejects the easy path she represents, favoring independence and entrepreneurship.

    • 👑 Powerful
    • 🗣️ Demanding
    • 🧭 Complex

Last updated: October 03, 2025 at 19:53

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Setting

Where and When Does Get a Job Take Place?

The setting of Get a Job (2016): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

2010s

Set in the contemporary era, the film mirrors the precarious job market and the surge of digital culture. The presence of viral videos, startup talk, and modern job markets anchors its timeframe in the recent past. Characters navigate downsizing, internships turning into layoffs, and the rise of entrepreneurial paths as viable alternatives to traditional careers.

Location

Los Angeles, California, Disreputable motel, Downtown urban settings

The story unfolds across the bustling Los Angeles area, moving from a shared apartment to a seedy motel that anchors the narrator’s rough climb into adulthood. The motel serves as a gritty counterpoint to the glossy corporate world Will pursues, highlighting a city where instability and opportunity collide. The urban landscape—bars, offices, and coffeehouses—reflects a culture of ambition, debt, and reinvention that drives the ensemble.

  • 🌆 Urban setting
  • 🎭 Drama
  • 🏙️ LA vibe

Last updated: October 03, 2025 at 19:53

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3 major themes

Get a Job Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Get a Job (2016) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Career pressure

    The narrative centers on the pressure to secure meaningful work after college and to maintain appearances for family and partners. Will and his friends chase prestigious roles, yet face setbacks that test their resilience. The film shows how economic uncertainty and the drive for validation push characters toward drastic shifts in direction.

  • Identity and authenticity

    Characters grapple with who they are versus what they think they should be doing to succeed. Will ultimately questions the traditional ladder—turning down a promotion to pursue his own vision—emphasizing personal authenticity over absolute conformity. The story suggests that true fulfillment may come from forging a path aligned with one's values rather than external prestige.

  • Entrepreneurship and risk

    Viral fame, startup energy, and side ventures push the group toward self-made opportunities. The film tracks the leap from conventional roles to launching independent ventures, underscoring how calculated risk and creative self-promotion can redefine success. It portrays entrepreneurship as both a relief from and a response to corporate fragility.

Last updated: October 03, 2025 at 19:53

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Character & theme questions

Get a Job Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Get a Job (2016): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is Get a Job set?

The movie takes place in Los Angeles, California. The story moves between a shared apartment, downtown urban settings like bars, offices, and coffeehouses, and a disreputable motel where Will works the night shift. The LA setting reflects a city where instability and opportunity collide, serving as a backdrop for the characters' pursuit of career success.

  • los angeles
  • setting
  • california
  • motel
  • location
Q2

What time period is the movie set in?

Get a Job is set in the 2010s, during the contemporary era. The film captures the digital age with viral videos, startup culture, and modern job market challenges. Characters navigate downsizing, internships that end in layoffs, and the rise of entrepreneurial paths as alternatives to traditional careers.

  • 2010s
  • time period
  • contemporary
  • modern era
Q3

What does Get a Job say about career pressure?

The film explores the intense pressure graduates face to secure meaningful work while maintaining appearances for family and partners. Will and his friends chase prestigious roles but encounter setbacks that test their resilience. The movie shows how economic uncertainty and the drive for validation push characters toward drastic shifts in their career directions.

  • career pressure
  • job search
  • unemployment
  • college graduates
Q4

How does Get a Job explore identity and authenticity?

Characters grapple with who they are versus what they think they should be doing to succeed. Will ultimately questions the traditional career ladder, turning down a promotion to pursue his own vision. The story suggests that true fulfillment comes from forging a path aligned with personal values rather than chasing external prestige.

  • identity
  • authenticity
  • personal values
  • self-discovery
Q5

What role does entrepreneurship play in Get a Job?

The film portrays entrepreneurship as both a relief from and a response to corporate fragility. Viral fame, startup energy, and side ventures push the group toward self-made opportunities. Characters leap from conventional roles to launching independent ventures, showing how calculated risk and creative self-promotion can redefine success.

  • entrepreneurship
  • startups
  • risk
  • self-employment
  • viral video
Q6

Who is Will Davis in the movie?

Will Davis is the protagonist, a newly minted graduate who faces a downed internship and mounting pressure from family and his goal-oriented girlfriend Jillian. He takes a night manager job at a shabby motel, uploads a video that goes viral, and eventually finds a path toward founding his own video production company. His arc evolves from anxious conformity to confident entrepreneurship.

  • will davis
  • protagonist
  • main character
  • graduate
Q7

Who is Jillian in Get a Job?

Jillian is Will's driven girlfriend who loses her own job and moves in with Will and his friends. She embodies contemporary ambition and resilience, supporting Will while navigating her own professional setbacks. Her presence sharpens the tension between ambition and stability within the group.

  • jillian
  • girlfriend
  • ambition
  • supporting character
Q8

Who is Roger Davis in the movie?

Roger Davis is Will's father, who loses his job after a long tenure and becomes obsessed with finding his own dream position at IBM. He is saved from an embarrassing moment by Will's video resume, illustrating the generational shift in how people market themselves. Roger eventually lands a new, fulfilling role, bridging past and present career ideals.

  • roger davis
  • father
  • generational
  • job loss
Q9

What are Will's roommates like in Get a Job?

Will lives with three roommates: Luke, who pursues stock trading but ends up as a poorly treated office clerk; Ethan, the slacker who pitches an app called iStalkU but struggles with momentum; and Charlie, the stoner who eventually becomes a sixth-grade chemistry teacher and basketball coach. Each roommate represents a different path through early adulthood struggles.

  • roommates
  • luke
  • ethan
  • charlie
  • ensemble cast
Q10

Who is Katherine in Get a Job?

Katherine is Will's narcissistic manager at the executive placement firm who initially impresses him with opportunities but embodies the manipulative, performance-driven corporate culture. Her dynamic with Will underscores the lure and danger of prestige. Will ultimately rejects the easy path she represents, favoring independence and entrepreneurship.

  • katherine
  • manager
  • corporate
  • antagonist
Q11

What is Skeezy D's role in the movie?

Skeezy D is a pimp who uses the motel where Will works for his prostitution ring. His presence catalyzes Will's first major test and eventual professional downfall when the operation is busted. The encounter contrasts illegitimate hustle with Will's emergent legitimate path, propelling him toward more ethical pursuits.

  • skeezy d
  • pimp
  • motel
  • antagonist
  • crime

Movie threads

More Movies Like Get a Job, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Get a Job tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Anxious hopeful workplace comedies like Get a Job

Funny yet heartfelt stories about young adults trying to build a career. If you liked the mix of career anxiety and comedy in Get a Job, you'll enjoy these movies. This thread features similar stories about young professionals, financial struggles, and the often-humorous journey to find success, focusing on hopeful narratives with relatable millennial challenges.

  • anxious
  • hopeful
  • cringe
  • relieved
  • determined
  • awkward
  • Tone: hopeful, comedic
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically follow a protagonist or group of friends fresh out of school or at a career crossroads. The plot is driven by a series of professional setbacks, awkward interviews, and comedic failures that test their resolve. The emotional journey moves from uncertainty and financial insecurity to determined problem-solving and a self-defined, often non-traditional, version of success.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared vibe of balancing serious real-world pressures like unemployment with lighthearted, character-driven comedy. They share a medium intensity, a steady pacing that builds through episodic challenges, and a core emotional tone that is ultimately hopeful and uplifting despite the anxious premise.

Get a Job movie poster

Get a Job

2016
Young Man with Ideas movie poster

Young Man with Ideas

1952
Almost Popular movie poster

Almost Popular

2025
Good Advice movie poster

Good Advice

2001
Results movie poster

Results

2015
This Isn't Funny movie poster

This Isn't Funny

2015
My Awkward Sexual Adventure movie poster

My Awkward Sexual Adventure

2012
Romantics Anonymous movie poster

Romantics Anonymous

2011

Friendship-driven ensemble comedies like Get a Job

Stories where a close-knit group supports each other through life's chaotic turns. Fans of Get a Job's focus on friends navigating post-college life together will find more movies like it here. These stories highlight the bond between a group of characters facing a common hurdle, blending comedy with the emotional weight of relying on your chosen family to succeed.

  • uncertain
  • supportive
  • chaotic
  • relieved
  • nostalgic
  • friendship
  • Tone: hopeful, heartfelt
  • Pacing: steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern revolves around a core group of characters, often roommates or a tight-knit friend circle. A catalyzing event (like job loss) disrupts their stability, and the plot unfolds through their collaborative, and sometimes contentious, efforts to overcome it. Subplots for each character weave together, creating a tapestry of individual growth that strengthens the group's bond, leading to a collective resolution.

Why they belong together: These movies are connected by their central theme of friendship as the key to overcoming adversity. They share a moderate complexity from interweaving character arcs, a medium emotional weight from the stakes of their shared situation, and a tone that balances humorous group dynamics with genuine emotional support.

Everything's Going to Be Great movie poster

Everything's Going to Be Great

2025
Finding Emily movie poster

Finding Emily

2026
Dysfunctional Friends movie poster

Dysfunctional Friends

2012
Friendship! movie poster

Friendship!

2010
Happythankyoumoreplease movie poster

Happythankyoumoreplease

2011
American Dreamer movie poster

American Dreamer

2024
Otherhood movie poster

Otherhood

2019
Find Me Falling movie poster

Find Me Falling

2024

If you liked this

Movies Like Get a Job

Similar movies to Get a Job: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries
Get Over It movie poster

Get Over It

2001
Get Shorty movie poster

Get Shorty

1995
Get Hard movie poster

Get Hard

2015
Career Opportunities movie poster

Career Opportunities

1991
Dirty Work movie poster

Dirty Work

1998
Free Time movie poster

Free Time

2024
Get Her… If You Can movie poster

Get Her… If You Can

2019
Rent-a-Friend movie poster

Rent-a-Friend

2000
Gettin’ It movie poster

Gettin’ It

2006
Take This Job and Shove It movie poster

Take This Job and Shove It

1981
Getting It On movie poster

Getting It On

1983
His New Job movie poster

His New Job

1915

Every angle

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