With deadlines and exams looming around every corner, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with stress and pressure. So, here are some films to help romanticise those long nights of studying.
If you’re a STEM student, there’s no shortage of biopics that will keep you afloat during exams: The Social Network (2010), The Theory of Everything (2014), Hidden Figures (2017)… the list keeps going. You never know, the endless hours you spend at King’s could lead to you being the next Stephen Hawking or Katherine Johnson, whatever your background. These films are a great way to take a breather while also getting a boost of motivation to buckle down and revise. Some older ones you might like: October Sky (1999) and A Beautiful Mind (2001).
Every time I watch a film like Legally Blonde (2001) or Dark Waters (2019), I inevitably wish I chose Law. And then I speak to someone who did, and I thank my lucky stars I didn’t (I simply would not survive). Nonetheless, if you’ve already seen the films mentioned, here are some more that will remind you that, despite the stressful time (and career) ahead of you, at least you can look seriously cool like Elle Woods: Erin Brockovich (2000), Spotlight (2016), and The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020).
Dead Poets Society (1989) has practically been beaten to death as the ultimate Dark Academia film by now, so I instead offer you its edgy, even more rebellious cousin, Kill Your Darlings (2013). It shares the same sentiments—self-expression, the transformative potential of poetry, challenging conventions—against the backdrop of the early days of the “Beat Generation” (think Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, and William S. Burroughs). This is for anyone feeling creatively stifled or bogged down, whether it’s from literary formalism or your insane reading load. If you’re partial to the Tuesdays with Morrie aspect of DPS, you’ll find Good Will Hunting (1997) an endearing watch. Robin Williams once again fills the mentor-guidance role for students and reminds us of the importance of taking care of ourselves mentally as well as having friends we can rely on. Academic performance isn’t everything and it definitely doesn’t define your worth.
Illustration by Ruby Gordon @rubygordon.artwork