Netflix comedy Senior Year ends, like most high school films, at graduation. After 20 years, Stephanie can finally graduate from high school alongside her new and old friends. What starts as an expected graduation quickly changes into the cheer routine that Stephanie created, and the one that ultimately put her in the coma in the first place — luckily, she recorded it for the “Harding Archives.”
Seth, Martha, and the rest of the 2022 Harding Cheer Squad put together this routine, along with a few more additions. As Stephanie notices the routine, she jumps back in like it was only yesterday—for her, it practically was—and performs it flawlessly.
When it comes to the big finish, the one that put her in a coma in the first place, she manages to stick the landing and thus has the perfect ending she had always dreamed of. That is, except for the perfect guy, who, mere moments after the routine was over, she was approached by Seth, who finally asked Stephanie out.
The ending of this film is uplifting, showing you that a perfect life isn’t one you strive for; it’s one you let happen naturally. Things change, and people change too, but only when you let the people who want to be in your life in can you truly have a perfect life. After talking to her childhood idol Deanna Russo (Alicia Silverstone, The Lodge; Bad Therapy), Stephanie realizes that her perfect life isn’t about the things she has, but the people and the life she makes.
It is never quite confirmed or alluded to what Stephanie will pursue in the future. She does still have her social media following, and now, with a High School diploma, she has the option to go to College as well. Whatever it may be, at least Stephanie will finally get the chance to live all the years she missed. Also, stay tuned throughout the credits, as there are fun scenes with the cast and crew spliced in!
