Anxiety

That Feeling When… Exploring Anxiety on Film

Okay, let’s talk about anxiety. Not in a clinical way – though it's a very real and often debilitating condition – but as a fascinating lens through which filmmakers explore the human experience. It’s something we all grapple with to some degree, whether it’s that pre-presentation jitters or a full-blown panic attack. And cinema, at its best, has always been brilliant at holding up a mirror to our anxieties, both big and small.

Think about how often anxiety manifests in film – not just as the subject of the story, but as an underlying current shaping characters' actions and driving the narrative forward. It’s more than just feeling nervous; it’s that persistent hum of worry, the constant second-guessing, the fear of judgment… you know, that feeling.

I was recently reminded of this while revisiting “The Anxious Person + Returning Something to the Shop.” It's a wonderfully quirky film – almost painfully relatable in its depiction of everyday awkwardness amplified by anxiety. The sheer terror Millie experiences just trying to return those boots? I’ve been there! We all have moments where something seemingly trivial becomes monumental thanks to our own internal anxieties. It’s that feeling when you overthink everything.

And it's not a new phenomenon, this exploration of anxiety in film. Consider “How to Be Alone.” That film takes the concept and really twists it into something surreal and unsettling. The way repressed fears materialize – blurring the lines between reality and imagination - is genuinely chilling. It’s a powerful visual representation of how anxiety can warp our perception of the world, making even familiar surroundings feel alien and threatening. It reminds me a little bit of David Lynch's work, that sense of unease simmering just beneath the surface.

Then you have films like “Peepo and The Worry Monster,” which tackles the topic with a gentleness perfect for younger audiences. It’s a beautiful example of how to normalize conversations about mental health, showing kids (and adults!) that everyone experiences worry and that it's okay to talk about it. It’s a clever way to externalize anxiety – giving it a physical form – which can be incredibly helpful in understanding complex emotions.

“Anxiety,” the film focusing on the sisters, is particularly poignant because it layers the experience of anxiety onto an already emotionally charged situation: facing mortality. It highlights how anxiety can exacerbate grief and complicate difficult decisions. And “A Wife’s Nightmare” demonstrates how unexpected life events – like a mysterious claimant appearing at your door – can trigger or amplify existing anxieties about family, trust, and identity.

Ultimately, these films aren't just about depicting anxiety; they're about exploring the human condition. They remind us that we are not alone in our struggles, and that even in moments of intense fear and uncertainty, there is always hope for connection, understanding, and ultimately, self-acceptance.

So, if you’re feeling a little… anxious yourself (we all have those days!), I highly recommend giving one of these films a watch. You might just find some comfort – or at least a knowing smile – in seeing your own experiences reflected on screen.