Top 5 Angst Movies from 1990-2010

Oh the angst. We felt it more during our adolescent years but it is always a treacherous memory to revisit. A sense of anarchy and chaos that is difficult to explain but best channeled against authority, with self-destruction and loud music. But punk rock is dead, remember? Don’t forget that.

This article is a modern look at the Top 5 Angst movies between (1990-2010). All movies are different special in their own way, with each capturing a certain essence about the torments of existence. Each ranking is followed by a illustrative scene from the movie.

1. THUMBSUCKER

Thumbsucker wins because it is the perfect combination of laughter, sadness, and most importantly angst. The context of the angst is during high school and involving family, which everyone can relate to. Teenager Justin Cobb is experiencing his teenage years on Aderol, and the attention drug has made him better at it. Although he has thumb-sucking and "girlfriend" issues, Cobb manages to excel on the high school debate team.



2. FIGHT CLUB

Fight Club captures the essence of angst in the working world and consumerism. The unnamed protagonist is jaded and bored with life, and he looks for outlets in some of the most hidden, dark and possibly genius places.




3. DONNIE DARKO

Donnie Darko comes in a close third. The movie deals with high school angst, but the context is in a well-off private school for privileged families. The movie is one of the few performances of Jake Gyllenhal that is thoughtful and interesting.




4. WELCOME TO DOLLHOUSE

While some of the other movies on the list involve adolescence, Welcome to Dollhouse deals with angst from a younger age: Youth. While some students are eager to grow up in junior high, some students don't want to or just don't know any better. The movie is a jarring performance and at times, difficult to watch.



5. WHAT'S EATING GILBERT GRAPE

Gilbert Grape approaches life’s angst through the context of a fatherless rural family in a small town. It uses a technique of silent angst, one that eats at you, hence the title.



There you have it. Comments? The ranking is limited from 1990 to 2010 because most of the other rankings were pre-1990 with Rebel Without a Cause and American Graffiti. Great movies, but from generations ago. Other rankings included 80s movies like Say Anything and Breakfast Club. Such rankings are out of touch with the last 20 year and were in need of an update.