Anxious Nation

Released May 5, 2023

1h 41m

Documentary

List

43%

7 Reviews

Tomatometer

100%

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Audience Score

Anxious Nation explores and captures the many faces and facets of anxiety. This feature-length documentary takes a deep look into the crisis of anxiety and mental health in America, especially its impact on kids (ages 10-26) and families. We zero in on how anxiety shows up, the nurture/nature debate, what's happening in homes and society that's significantly adding to the problem, the crisis on college campuses, and the impact of anxiety and mental health in lower socioeconomic communities, especially the brown and black communities. We discuss stigma, loneliness, isolation, disconnection, the alarming rise in suicide, the dangers of social media, overmedication, incorrect diagnoses, and the horrific mental health ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Richard B

In a society where anxiety has become the norm, this is an amazing movie that brings anxiety to the forefront. This is a movie that should be required viewing in all schools and one that parents should watch with their children

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/27/23

Full Review

Benny H

Listen, the sooner we accept that anxiety is a global challenge in every household, the sooner we mend. Anxious Nation shines a big flashlight. Well done!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/21/23

Full Review

Shaun R

I am still thinking about all that was presented in this film, particularly about how my own misunderstanding of anxiety can be, and most likely has been, unfair to those who live with it. It's an eye-opening film that gives real life behind the scenes footage and interviews with kids who have grown up with anxiety and the challenges they (and their loved ones) face because of it. If everyone saw this film, I'm sure it would provoke more kindness, empathy and patience in the world and hopefully, would lead to some real change in how anxiety is addressed, as well as inspire new ways to for real help to be available to anyone who suffers from it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/20/23

Full Review

Marisa G

Great documentary on this silent epidemic, a growing concern for all of us!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/19/23

Full Review

Laura M

Anxious Nation can be hard to watch at times, especially if you or someone you love is struggling with anxiety. However it is a critical watch to better understand what anxiety is, how is shows up, why and what we can do about it. Our kids )and so many adults) are suffering in isolation, loneliness and are living incredibly disconnected lives. Anxious Nation does an outstanding job educating us on the topic. Moreso, it offers a plethora of ways to cope with and manage anxiety when it shows up. I had so many a-ha moments watching this film and have found myself going back to rewatch it. It's full of great insights and yes, hope. If we can't talk about the hard things we are all facing, we will continue to be challenged by these unprecedented times. This is a must watch for every parent for sure, and for anyone who wants to better understand anxiety.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/19/23

Full Review

harry c

I thought it was incredibly well done! I think it's an important movie to watch if you know of ANYONE struggling with anxiety. It will help a ton of people who don't know what to do with crippling anxiety. The bottom line is that watching this film is important, not only as an education for the viewer, but as a wake up call to reach out to someone who is struggling. I recommend watching with your kid, if they are struggling. Critics of this film could use a bit more compassion, but that may be asking too much…of critics.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/18/23

Full Review

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Laura Morton

Director

Vanessa Roth

Director

Laura Morton

Self

Laura Morton

Writer

Vanessa Roth

Writer

Laura Morton

Producer

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Peter Rainer

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

A very important subject dealt with in a rather superficial way.

May 17, 2023

Full Review

Natalia Winkelman

New York Times

As an advocacy documentary, “Anxious Nation” is unfocused, and ultimately feels like less than the sum of its parts.

May 4, 2023

Full Review

Tara McNamara

Common Sense Media

There are myriad causes of anxiety, and the Anxious Nation filmmakers lay out everything that could possibly be the culprit, raising lots of questions in the process and providing more hints than solid answers.

Rated: 2/5

May 10, 2023

Full Review

Miyako Pleines

Spectrum Culture

An in-depth documentary about the devastating effects of anxiety on children today presents a measured account of a very nerve-wracking problem.

May 10, 2023

Full Review

Avi Offer

NYC Movie Guru

Mildly engaging, but it's somewhat dry, incomplete and ultimately bites off more than it could chew. The filmmakers fail to find the right balance between entertaining the audience and provoking them emotionally as well as intellectually.

May 6, 2023

Full Review

Christopher Llewellyn Reed

Film Festival Today

Where the documentary absolutely shines is in its exploration of what to do in the face of these elevated rates of anxiety.

Rated: 3/4

May 5, 2023

Full Review

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Synopsis

Anxious Nation explores and captures the many faces and facets of anxiety. This feature-length documentary takes a deep look into the crisis of anxiety and mental health in America, especially its impact on kids (ages 10-26) and families. We zero in on how anxiety shows up, the nurture/nature debate, what's happening in homes and society that's significantly adding to the problem, the crisis on college campuses, and the impact of anxiety and mental health in lower socioeconomic communities, especially the brown and black communities. We discuss stigma, loneliness, isolation, disconnection, the alarming rise in suicide, the dangers of social media, overmedication, incorrect diagnoses, and the horrific mental health ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Director: Laura Morton, Vanessa Roth
Producer: Jon Carrasco, Dottie Herman, Dina Lapolt, Holly Parker, Marc Roman, Stephen Roseberry
Screenwriter: Laura Morton, Vanessa Roth
Distributor: Area 23a
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 5, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 3, 2023
Runtime: 1h 41m

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