Friends and Strangers is a 2019 Australian independent film directed by James Vaughan. The story follows two aimless twenty-somethings, Charlie and Blake, as they navigate their way through life in Melbourne, struggling to find direction and meaning in their existence.
Charlie is a talented graphic designer who has recently been laid off from his job and is struggling to find new employment. He spends his days sleeping in and avoiding responsibility, while his girlfriend pressures him to get his life together. Blake is a party-loving stoner who spends his days getting high and hanging out with his friends, lacking any real ambition or purpose in life.
When the two friends cross paths, they form an unlikely bond and begin to explore the city together, attending parties, meeting new people and trying to figure out what they want from life. Along the way, they encounter a variety of oddball characters, including a conspiracy theorist, a prostitute, and a washed-up musician.
As the film progresses, Charlie and Blake begin to realize that they need to take control of their lives and start actively pursuing their dreams, rather than simply coasting along and waiting for something to happen. The result is a wryly comedic exploration of displacement and stagnation in contemporary Australia, punctuated by moments of genuine introspection and self-discovery.