Cynical people are often seen as smarter. Here’s why that might not be true. - The Washington Post

When questioned about whether While We’re Young reflects a cynical outlook on twenty-somethings compared to his more optimistic collaborations with Gerwig, Baumbach explained that he does not view the story through a cynical lens. Instead, he noted that the perspective belongs primarily to the protagonist, Ben, who initially assigns outsized significance to younger people before the narrative unfolds.

Baumbach emphasized that he does not consciously harbor cynicism toward youth, attributing the specific tone of that film to its particular characters and narrative template rather than a generalized generational critique.