Director Wendy Lobel’s documentary “Anxiety Club” is a heartfelt and often funny look at what it’s like to live with anxiety. Told through the lens of a group of stand-up comedians who’ve been there, are still there, and are doing their best to deal with it, the film gets up close and personal with comics like Tiffany Jenkins, Marc Maron, and Aparna Nancherla (among others) as they reflect on how anxiety shapes both their lives and their material.
The documentary offers a mix of therapy sessions, interviews, everyday life moments, and comedy routines, and the subjects are deeply human in the way they openly talk about their struggles with anxiety. It’s part behind-the-scenes look at the comedy world, part mental health exploration, and part group therapy that comes together in a way that is emotionally raw and full of insight.
It’s a little disappointing that the film never really digs into the why, especially since so many comedians struggle with anxiety (the disorder seems to be particularly tied to the world of stand-up). Is it something about the nature of live comedy, the fear of rejection, and constant self-examination? Or is comedy simply a magnet for people who are already struggling internally? The film barely scratches the surface of this more complex dynamic.
Lobel gets the tone just right, especially when talking about one of the world’s most common (and often misunderstood) mental health conditions. She explores anxiety without falling into clichés or making it feel overly clinical. There are so many tough, honest, and incredibly vulnerable moments that highlight just how exhausting and transformative real mental health work can be. The film doesn’t pretend that there’s one universal “fix” for everyone, instead showing a range of coping strategies, support systems, and the different paths each comedian takes in their quest to keep their anxiety manageable.
Genuine and grounded, “Anxiety Club” certainly isn’t a clinical deep dive into mental illness, but a very human, surprisingly uplifting film about what it’s like to live with anxiety and how humor can be a lifeline. The documentary doesn’t pretend to have all the answers, but it does show that healing is possible. For anyone who’s ever struggled with anxiety or known someone who has, this film offers both comfort and a few much-needed laughs.
By: Louisa Moore
Screen Zealots 