Movies About Anxiety

From Damien Chazelle, starring Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Melissa Benoist, Paul Reiser
Rated R

Whiplash is a 2014 critically acclaimed drama directed by Damien Chazelle and starring Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons. It follows the story of Andrew Neiman (Miles Teller), a 19-year-old jazz drummer who enrolls at a prestigious music conservatory in order to pursue his dreams of becoming one of the greats. At the conservatory, he meets Fletcher (J.K. Simmons), an instructor whose teaching methods prove to be brutally demanding, as he pushes Andrew to become the best he can be. As Andrew strives to live up to Fletcher's expectations, their relationship becomes strained, and ultimately, Andrew must decide how far he is willing to go in order to reach his goal.

From Ron Howard, starring Russell Crowe, Ed Harris, Jennifer Connelly, Christopher Plummer
Rated PG-13

A Beautiful Mind is a biographical drama film directed by Ron Howard and starring Russell Crowe. It is based on the 1998 book of the same name by Sylvia Nasar. The film tells the story of John Nash, a mathematical genius who develops paranoid schizophrenia and struggles in his journey through life. Nash is a brilliant student attending Princeton University in 1947. He succeeds in developing a revolutionary game theory, but his eccentric behavior and paranoid episodes begin to take a toll on his academic career. With the help of his wife Alicia, he battles his mental illness, eventually earning a Nobel Prize in 1994. The film explores his personal and professional triumphs, as well as his struggles with his mental illness. Ultimately, it is a story of hope, perseverance and courage in the face of adversity.

From Directors: Dan Kwan, Daniel Scheinert, starring Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ke Huy Quan
Rated R

"Everything Everywhere All at Once" (2022) is a heartwarming and inspirational coming-of-age story about a young girl's journey through life as she discovers the power of her own creativity. Set in a vibrant and dreamlike world, the film follows the story of Rumi, a teenager who, with the help of her friends, sets out to explore and understand the universe within her. As she unlocks the mysteries of the creative force inside her, she begins to see the world in a whole new way. Along the way, she meets a mysterious stranger with the power to show her even greater wonders. Through her journey, Rumi discovers that creativity is the source of true power, and that everything is possible when we let ourselves dream.

From Spike Jonze, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Scarlett Johansson, Rooney Mara
Rated R

Her is a science fiction romance set in the near future about a man named Theodore, played by Joaquin Phoenix, who develops a relationship with an artificially intelligent computer operating system. Theodore is a lonely writer who purchases the system to help him with his work. However, he soon finds himself falling in love with Samantha, the voice behind the computer. The two form an intimate relationship as Theodore struggles to balance his life with the virtual one. Through the course of their relationship, Theodore begins to question the nature of love and his own identity.

From Tarsem Singh, starring Lee Pace, Catinca Untaru, Justine Waddell, Kim Uylenbroek
Rated R

The Fall is a 2006 fantasy film directed by Tarsem Singh. Set in 1915, the movie follows a Hollywood stuntman (Lee Pace) who is bedridden in a Los Angeles hospital after a near-fatal accident. To pass the time, he begins to tell a story to a young girl (Catinca Untaru) who is also a patient in the hospital. He tells her the story of a fantasy world filled with legendary characters, such as an evil emperor, a bandit leader, and a heroic warrior. As the story progresses, they become aware of the similarities between his story and her own life. Ultimately, the stuntman's story helps the girl confront her own fears and gain the courage to take control of her life. The movie features stunning visuals, an imaginative story, and an uplifting message.

From Robert Zemeckis, starring Tom Hanks, Helen Hunt, Paul Sanchez, Lari White
Rated PG-13

Cast Away is a 2000 American survival drama film directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Tom Hanks as a FedEx employee stranded on a deserted island after his plane crashes in the South Pacific. The film follows his attempts to survive on the island using remnants of his plane's cargo, as well as his eventual escape and return home. The film also stars Helen Hunt as his former girlfriend, who has moved on with her life. It explores the themes of human isolation, the effects of time and surviving in extreme circumstances. Cast Away was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $430 million worldwide and being nominated for four Academy Awards.

From David O. Russell, starring Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Jacki Weaver
Rated R

Silver Linings Playbook is an Academy Award-winning romantic comedy-drama from director David O. Russell. The story follows Pat Solatano (Bradley Cooper), a former teacher with bipolar disorder who has just been released from a psychiatric hospital and moves back in with his parents (Robert De Niro and Jacki Weaver). Pat’s goal is to win back his estranged wife, Nikki, but in the meantime, he finds himself taking a romantic interest in Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), a mysterious young widow who also struggles with emotional issues. As Pat and Tiffany become closer, they form an unlikely bond, and both of their lives begin to change as they help each other to take control of their destinies. Silver Linings Playbook is a heart-warming, uplifting story of resilience and redemption.

From Richard Linklater, starring Ethan Hawke, Trevor Jack Brooks, Lorelei Linklater, Wiley Wiggins
Rated R

Waking Life is a 2001 philosophical animated film written and directed by Richard Linklater. It follows the dream of a young man, played by Wiley Wiggins, as he wanders through a series of conversations with various people on topics such as the meaning of life, free will, and the nature of reality. The film uses a rotoscoping technique, which involves filming live-action scenes and then tracing over them frame-by-frame to create the animation. Throughout the film, the protagonist struggles to determine if he is awake or dreaming. Along the way, he encounters a series of characters who each offer unique perspectives on his questions, creating a patchwork of ideas and insights that leave the audience to interpret the film's ultimate meaning.

From Mark Osborne, starring Jeff Bridges, Mackenzie Foy, Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard
Rated PG

The Little Prince is a 2015 animated musical fantasy film directed by Mark Osborne. The film is based on the classic novella of the same name by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and tells the story of a young girl who meets an eccentric old aviator and learns the magical story of the Little Prince. Along the way, she discovers the power of friendship, love, and imagination to help her find her own way in life. The film uses a combination of traditional 2D animation and stop motion animation, as well as computer generated imagery. The heartfelt tale of the Little Prince is brought to life by an all-star cast, including Jeff Bridges, Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, James Franco, Benicio del Toro, Paul Giamatti, Bud Cort, Albert Brooks, Ricky Gervais and Mackenzie Foy.

From James L. Brooks, starring Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, Greg Kinnear, Cuba Gooding Jr.
Rated PG-13

As Good As It Gets is a 1997 comedy-drama directed by James L. Brooks and starring Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt and Greg Kinnear. The movie follows Melvin Udall, a misanthropic writer, who suffers from an obsessive-compulsive disorder. His life is changed when he meets his neighbor, Carol Connelly, a waitress and single mother, and a gay artist named Simon Bishop, who is struggling with his own personal demons. Eventually, Melvin begins to question his own beliefs and attitudes, forming a bond with his new friends that helps him to become a better person. Along the way, he learns to accept and appreciate the people around him, no matter how different they may be.

From Ignacio Ferreras, starring Tacho González, Álvaro Guevara, Mabel Rivera, Raúl Dans
Rated Not Rated

Wrinkles is a 2011 animated Spanish film directed by Ignacio Ferreras. The film follows the story of Emilio, an elderly Alzheimer's patient who is stuck in a nursing home against his will. He spends his days in a daze, until he meets an unlikely friend in the form of Miguel, a fellow patient with whom Emilio develops an unlikely bond. Together, they come to terms with the harsh reality of their situation and accept the inevitability of death with dignity and grace. The film explores themes of aging, friendship, and mortality with a moving and sensitive approach.

From Directors: Mark Osborne, John Stevenson, starring Jack Black, Ian McShane, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman
Rated PG

Kung Fu Panda is a 2008 American-Chinese computer-animated martial arts comedy film directed by Mark Osborne and John Stevenson and produced by DreamWorks Animation. The film stars the voices of Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Ian McShane, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, David Cross, Randall Duk Kim, James Hong and Jackie Chan. The story follows Po, a panda who dreams of becoming a kung fu master. When a powerful villain threatens to take over the Valley of Peace, Po is chosen to fulfill an ancient prophecy and save the day. With the help of his kung fu teacher, Master Shifu, and his new friends, the Furious Five, Po must learn the secrets of kung fu and use them to defeat his enemies and become the true Dragon Warrior.

From Jeff Malmberg, starring Mark Hogancamp, Emmanuel Nneji, Edda Hogancamp, Tom Neubauer
Rated Not Rated

Marwencol is a 2010 documentary by director Jeff Malmberg that tells the story of Mark Hogancamp, a man who suffers from a traumatic brain injury following a savage beating. After the attack, Hogancamp loses his memories and must relearn the fundamentals of life. To help himself cope with the trauma, he creates a miniature World War II-era Belgium town in his backyard, which he names Marwencol. Through the film, viewers see Hogancamp build his colorful fantasy world and discover how it helps him to heal and regain a sense of identity. As Hogancamp's work catches the attention of the art world, he must grapple with the challenge of using his artwork to confront the tragedy of his past. Ultimately, Marwencol is a touching story of resilience, hope, and the power of art.

From Alê Abreu, starring Vinicius Garcia, Marco Aurélio Campos, Lu Horta, Felipe Zilse
Rated PG

The Boy and the World is a 2013 Brazilian animated film written and directed by Alê Abreu. It follows the journey of Cuca, a young boy who embarks on a quest to find his father, who has left their rural home in search of work. As he travels through a vibrant and colourful world, Cuca encounters a variety of characters, each representing a different aspect of modern Brazilian society. Along the way, he discovers the harsh realities of life, including the effects of industrialization, globalization, and urbanization on the country's rural areas. He also learns a valuable lesson about the true nature of home and the importance of community. The film is a visually stunning and inspiring take on childhood, reminding viewers of the joys and beauty of life, even amidst the struggles of everyday life.

From Directors: Iain Forsyth, Jane Pollard, starring Nick Cave, Susie Bick, Warren Ellis, Darian Leader
Rated Not Rated

From John Carroll Lynch, starring Harry Dean Stanton, David Lynch, Ron Livingston, Ed Begley Jr.
Rated Not Rated

From Craig Gillespie, starring Ryan Gosling, Emily Mortimer, Paul Schneider, R.D. Reid
Rated PG-13

From Ben Lewin, starring John Hawkes, Helen Hunt, William H. Macy, Moon Bloodgood
Rated R

From Directors: Sam Cullman, Jennifer Grausman, Mark Becker, starring Mark A. Landis, Lester Sullivan, Irwin Lakov, Matthew Leininger
Rated Not Rated

From Trey Edward Shults, starring Krisha Fairchild, Alex Dobrenko, Robyn Fairchild, Chris Doubek
Rated R

From Judd Apatow, starring Steve Carell, Catherine Keener, Paul Rudd, Romany Malco
Rated R

From Shane Black, starring Robert Downey Jr., Guy Pearce, Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle
Rated PG-13

From Directors: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck, starring Keir Gilchrist, Zach Galifianakis, Emma Roberts, Dana DeVestern
Rated PG-13

From Frank Oz, starring Bill Murray, Richard Dreyfuss, Julie Hagerty, Charlie Korsmo
Rated PG

From Directors: Andy Hamilton, Guy Jenkin, starring Rosamund Pike, David Tennant, Billy Connolly, Ben Miller
Rated PG-13