The Graduates (2007) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The movie takes place primarily in Ocean City, Maryland, a coastal resort town known for its beaches and lively boardwalk. The story begins in Columbia, Maryland before the group travels to Ocean City for Senior Week, where the bulk of the film unfolds.

• ocean city
• maryland
• setting
• senior week
• boardwalk

The events occur during Senior Week, which takes place in late spring to early summer immediately after high school graduation. This is a period when recently graduated teens gather for parties and social exploration before moving on to adulthood.

• senior week
• time period
• late spring
• summer
• post-graduation

The central theme is coming of age, as the film follows Ben and his friends as they transition from high school to adulthood. The story explores their attempts to navigate romance, flirtation, and the boundaries of growing up, with naiveté and the desire to fit in driving much of the conflict.

• coming of age
• growing up
• maturation
• transition
• adulthood

Peer pressure plays a significant role as older brother Josh pushes the younger guys to act beyond their years, particularly in his coaching about flirting and seduction. The Senior Week atmosphere amplifies impulsive decisions and the characters' willingness to take risks they normally wouldn't.

• peer pressure
• influence
• impulsive decisions
• older brother
• dating advice

Miscommunication is a driving force in the film, particularly in Ben's pursuit of Annie. His awkward exchanges and misread signals reveal how easily intentions can be misinterpreted. The group's discussions about body language and dating create a string of misunderstandings that fuel both tension and humor.

• miscommunication
• confusion
• body language
• romantic misunderstanding
• signals

Ben is 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.

• ben
• main character
• protagonist
• crush
• naivete

Josh is Ben's older brother who accompanies the group on the Senior Week trip. He offers guidance on flirting and social dynamics with a brash, instructive tone, sharing his self-proclaimed 'secret' about body language. His influence pushes the younger members to act more boldly, though his advice often leads to mixed results.

• josh
• older brother
• mentor
• flirting advice
• influence

Annie is the object of Ben's affection who enters the party scene and captures his attention. She serves primarily as a catalyst for Ben's flirtations and drives much of the night's tension. She leaves after a fight involving Nickie, serving more as a narrative catalyst than a deeply explored character.

• annie
• love interest
• crush
• catalyst
• party

Ocean City provides the sun-soaked, carefree atmosphere that fuels the group's impulsive decisions during Senior Week. The condo gatherings and boardwalk outings anchor the film's youthful energy, creating a transitional space between childhood freedom and adult responsibility where the characters feel emboldened to test boundaries.

• ocean city
• boardwalk
• party scene
• beach
• vacation setting

The friend group consists of five recently graduated high school seniors navigating their final moments together before adulthood. Their dynamic is shaped by a mix of camaraderie and peer pressure, with older brother Josh influencing the younger members. The group plays card games like Assh*ole, parties together, and collectively experiences the misadventures of Senior Week.

• friend group
• friendship
• camaraderie
• senior week
• group dynamics