Here are some notable films that explore existential angst:
“Taxi Driver”, 1976
Director: Martin Scorsese
Directed by Martin Scorsese, this film explores the life of Travis Bickle, a mentally unstable Vietnam war veteran who becomes a taxi driver in New York City. His growing frustration and isolation lead him to contemplate violent actions, reflecting a profound existential crisis.
Starring: Robert De Niro, Cybill Shepherd, Jodie Foster, Harvey Keitel, Peter Boyle, Leonard Harris, Albert Brooks, Martin Scorsese, Garth Avery, Richard Higgs;
Production year: 1976;
Genre: thriller, drama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 114 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,2;
More information about the film “Taxi Driver” on the website imdb.com
“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”, 2004
Director: Michel Gondry
A unique take on love and memories, directed by Michel Gondry and written by Charlie Kaufman. The film follows an estranged couple who have erased each other from their memories, prompting a deep dive into the nature of memory, identity, and emotional pain.
Starring: Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Kirsten Dunst, Mark Ruffalo, Elijah Wood, Tom Wilkinson, Thomas Jay Ryan, Jane Adams, David Cross, Gerry Robert Byrne;
Production year: 2004;
Genre: melodrama, science fiction, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 108 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,3;
More information about the film “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” on the website imdb.com
“Synecdoche, New York”, 2008
Director: Charlie Kaufman
Directed by Charlie Kaufman, this film tells the story of a theatre director who struggles with his work and the women in his life as he attempts to create a life-size replica of New York inside a warehouse as part of his new play. It's an intricate exploration of existential dread and the quest for meaning in art and life.
Starring: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Samantha Morton, Michelle Williams, Catherine Keener, Emily Watson, Dianne Wiest, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Hope Davis, Tom Noonan, Paul Sparks;
Production year: 2008;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 124 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “Synecdoche, New York” on the website imdb.com
“A Ghost Story”, 2017
Director: David Lowery
Directed by David Lowery, this film features a recently deceased ghost, draped in a white sheet, that returns to his suburban home to try to reconnect with his bereft wife, leading to a poignant exploration of loss, time, and existence.
Starring: Casey Affleck, Rooney Mara, McColm Cephas Jr., Kenneisha Thompson, Grover Coulson, Liz Cardenas, Barlow Jacobs, Richard Krause, Dagger Salazar, Sonia Acevedo;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: fantasy, drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 92 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
More information about the film “A Ghost Story” on the website imdb.com
“The Tree of Life”, 2010
Director: Terrence Malick
Directed by Terrence Malick, this ambitious film blends a story of a Texas family in the 1950s with a broader exploration of the origins and meaning of life, resulting in a visually stunning meditation on existence, suffering, and the interconnectedness of all things.
Starring: Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Jessica Chastain, Hunter McCracken, Laramie Eppler, Tye Sheridan, Fiona Shaw, Jessica Fuselier, Nicolas Gonda, Will Wallace;
Production year: 2010;
Genre: fantasy, drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 139 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
More information about the film “The Tree of Life” on the website imdb.com
These films, each in their way, confront the audience with profound existential questions, sparking deep reflection on life, meaning, and the human condition.
Films grappling with existential angst not only underscore the intricacies of the human condition but also invite viewers into deep, introspective journeys that challenge their perspectives on life, purpose, and the universe. Through a diverse array of narratives, from the bleak corridors of a dystopian future to the surreal landscapes of a troubled mind, these films navigate the angst and despair that often accompany our search for meaning in an indifferent cosmos. Yet, it is precisely through their exploration of this darkness that they illuminate the beauty of human resilience and the power of connection. In dissecting the nuances of existential dread, such films ultimately affirm life's value, encouraging audiences to confront their fears, embrace the absurd, and find solace in the shared struggle of existence. Through a blend of compelling storytelling, profound thematic depth, and visceral emotional resonance, films about existential angst leave an indelible mark, proving themselves to be crucial artifacts in the human quest to understand our place in the universe.
