friday flicks – 5 films to watch if you feel lost at uni

We’ve teamed up with the folks at UNiDays to bring you stories about all the stuff you go through when you're studying. Did you know UNiDAYS members can nab a 15 per cent discount on their frankie magazine subscriptions? Well, now you do. Check the bottom of the story for more deets.

Feeling a li’l loss in the mess that is tertiary education? First up, you’re not alone. Secondly, this collection of stories about the ups and downs (and the weird in-betweens) of studying will help you feel even less so. Few movies about university or college are without complications – heartbreak, career pressure, selfhood exploration and (least importantly) exams will ensure your uni experience is no straight line to success. Next time you’re wandering the halls of your university campus like a headless chicken, head home, flick one of these films on and prepare to be schooled instead.

MISTRESS AMERICA Noah Baumbach’s 2015 quick-witted flick Mistress America has all the machine gun dialogue and complex relationships we’ve come to love from Baumbach and Greta Gerwig (who co-wrote the movie). Set around New York City’s Barnard College, college freshman Tracy (Lola Kirke) fumbles through this new phase of life, only to find a friendship in her soon-to-be stepsister, Brooke (Gerwig). Ridiculous in the most subtle of ways, Mistress America nails the specify of feeling everything and nothing at all, all at once, that comes with being a uni student.

SHITHOUSE (AKA FRESHMAN YEAR) A gem of a directorial debut from filmmaker Cooper Raiff – who also takes on the leading role of Alex – 2020’s Shithouse (released in Australia as Freshman Year… boring!) follows Alex as he struggles through his first year of college. The socially awkward freshman meets the low-key but dazzling Maggie one night at a “shithouse” fraternity party, and a relationship of deep convos and unexpected connection ensues. A bit will-they-won’t-they, Shithouse is grounded in the hilarious normality of being a young person just trying their best.

LOVE AND OTHER CATASTROPHES Melburnians – this one is for you. Set around Melbourne/Naarm’s eponymous university, Emma-Kate Croghan’s 1996 flick Love and Other Catastrophes is one of the more realistic takes on uni life, albeit at a Really Nice University. All the usual shite is being thrown at this gaggle of film studies students and their pals – crushing on lecturers, missing assignment deadlines, hectic hunts for housemates – and that’s exactly what makes Love and Other Catastrophes the perfect movie to squiz if you don’t know what the fudge is going on with your own university situation.

SORRY, BABY Another stunning directorial debut from a talent that also stars in their own story – this time from funny person Eva Victor – 2025’s Sorry, Baby is the kind of flick that will tear your heart open only to stitch it back together again. While the present timeline of the movie unfolds as Eva’s protagonist Agnes navigates the role of a professor at the school she once went to, Sorry, Baby flashes backward and forward to offer you an insight into the uni experiences that shapes the way Agnes sees the world, and consequently sees herself. One of the best films in recent times to explore the insidious impacts of trauma without putting the word “porn” at the end of it, don’t be surprised to also find yourself clutching your ribs from laughing so very hard. Also, if this movie is about anything, it's about the people we hold closest to our hearts (aka friendship!!!).

ST. ELMO’S FIRE An oldie but a goodie. Joel Schumacher’s 1985 coming-of-age flick St. Elmo’s Fire stars a bundle of your favourite faces from the ‘80s movie canon – notably Emilio Estevez, Rob Lowe, Andrew McCarthy, Demi Moore, Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy, Andie MacDowell and Mare Winningham. While the film centres on life after college, it’s an apt reminder for current university folk that it’s not just uni that can lead you to feeling a little lost in the world – it’s the entire experience of being a young adult. The good news? In order to find yourself and what you’re looking for, you have to get a little lost on the way.

After more ripper film recommendations? Peep your eyes on the frankie team’s favourite flicks of the year (so far) or check out these lovely Aussie movies about girlhood. Plus, sign up to our newsletter to stay in the movie loop.

Thanks to the kind types at UNiDAYS, uni students can nab 15 per cent off their frankie subscriptions. Just click here, then register or log in using your UNiDAYS member details. Easy as!