Year One (2025) – Review and Summary
Year One delivers a relatable and far from grandiose image of what living on a college campus is like, without being notably dramatic or idealistic.
Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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“Year One” Film Details
- Director(s): Lauren Loesberg
- Writer(s): Lauren Loesberg
- Distributor: Freestyle Digital Media
- Runtime: 1 Hour(s) and 33 Minutes
- Public Release Date (Digital): November 4, 2025
- Genre(s): Drama, Young Adult
- Content Rating: Not Rated
- Primary Language: English
- More Information (External Link)
Movie Summary
Ruby got into her dream school, but after that, none of what she expected or dreamed of came to be. Her roommate, Selene, is a piece of work, the clubs and organizations she wants to get in, that may not happen, and away from her friends and family, it all feels so isolating. But, this is college, right? It’s an experience. The only question is, will it get better?
Cast and Characters
Ruby (Elizabeth Yu)
- Check out other productions we’ve covered starring this actor: [Link to Actor’s Tag]
- Character Summary: Ruby is a university Freshman who is a creative writing major who had dreams of working for the school’s publication and everything that the college experience could offer – until reality hit.
Selene (Emma Raimi)
- Check out other productions we’ve covered starring this actor: [Link to Actor’s Tag]
- Character Summary: Selene is Ruby’s roommate, focused on psychology, who in some ways is doing better than Ruby regarding the college experience, but does also struggle in some areas.
Margot (Maya Schnake)
- Check out other productions we’ve covered starring this actor: [Link to Actor’s Tag]
- Character Summary: Margot is a friend of Selene that Ruby has some level of connection with, but it doesn’t fortify enough for Ruby to claim Ruby as her friend, instead of one of Selene’s friends she is cool with.
What To Expect In “Year One” (Not Rated) – Content Overview
- Dialog:
- Cursing: Occasional
- Miscellaneous:
- Drinking: Yes
- Drug Use: Recreational
- Vomiting: Yes
- Smoking: Yes
Review and Commentary
Highlight(s)
The Most Authentic Portrayal Of College, Without Being Boring [85/100]
When it comes to media about college, whether on television or movies, there is this common depiction of frats and sororities, underage drinking, weed smoking, parties, and that isn’t what Year One is about. Is it part of Ruby’s journey? Yes. But the heart of the film is the experience of being separated from the friends you’ve grown up with, that feeling of being on your own, responsible for yourself, and the depiction that it isn’t always great.
To me, Year One represents that average, ordinary experience of trying to navigate, especially if you grew up as an only child, of now having a roommate, never mind one like Selene. Trying to handle people who are adults and figure out the line between potentially being taken advantage of and maybe being an ass. Never mind, and this is for those who got into notable colleges, trying to understand, after doing all this work to be seen as worthy, feeling like you are starting over from nothing all over again.
Elizabeth Yu’s performance drives this home in a fashion that doesn’t create big moments, the kind that ask for accolades, but rather is honest, authentic, and creates a feeling which is less of an ache or nostalgia, and more so this feeling of melancholy.
It’s Not About A Boy [87/100]
Also worth noting is that Year One barely features boys as part of Ruby’s college experience. Yes, she makes out with some boy early in the film, but after that, they aren’t her focus. It’s about class, extracurriculars, the social experience, and navigating the various friendships with the girls she’s met. It’s honestly refreshing, especially because it is made clear that Ruby could be with a guy, there are those interested in her, but there is just so much she has going on that to focus on that, it just isn’t a priority right now.
But once she has her bearings, it could move up to what she is looking for.
On The Fence
Explanation of Ruby’s Other Half [75/100]
Throughout Year One, there is this alter-ego presented, which, I theorize, is how Ruby sees herself or who she wants to be. This person is extroverted, popular, isn’t stressed out, and is just perfect. The reason we present who this entity is as a theory is that she isn’t explained much.
It is made clear that this isn’t a twin or anything like that. Also, when they communicate, they aren’t talking out loud. But, as for how we should see this entity, that is left for you to interpret.
Largely Forgettable or Underused Supporting Cast [77/100]
Outside of Ruby, the main character who is featured and developed is Selene. She is Ruby’s roommate, first, and to a point, only friend at her university, and is a notable factor in her struggles. Unfortunately, beyond Selene, the supporting cast is rather sparse and suffers from either being underused, underdeveloped, or outright forgettable.
As noted, there are no significant boys, and in terms of girls outside of Selene, there was one named Margot who appeared like she could or would become a friend to Ruby, yet the character isn’t seen much beyond her introduction. This leaves a lot of the weight on Ruby, and while Yu is clearly up to the task, there is a push and pull here.
For example, with Margot, you could submit that the reason the character is handled as she is, is that Margot is supposed to represent those people you could connect with, but then nothing materializes. Hence, the lack of progress in that friendship, never mind development as a character. In fact, you could say for anyone Ruby meets, that is the case, and not because she is boring, mean, or anything like that; it is just that people don’t make being close to her a priority. And in the same vein, they aren’t necessarily bad people either. Even Selene, for all her flaws, is likely struggling like Ruby, just reacting differently based on her upbringing.
Overall
Our Rating (81/100): Positive (Worth Seeing)
Year One is a refreshing take on the college experience, which doesn’t seek to be dramatic or inspiring but just representative of the experience.
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