TCFF wrapped over a week ago, but I’m still playing catch-up with reviewing the films. So today I’m posting a pair of female-directed comedies. One is a documentary and the other a narrative, both I highly recommend once they’re available to watch near you or online.

Anxiety Club (2025)

Who hasn’t faced anxiety in our everyday lives? It’s a rhetorical question because, of course, we all do. However, I believe that stage performers, especially comedians, probably experience anxiety more intensely than someone like me who works from home. Directed by Wendy Lobel, this film is a relatable and humorously engaging documentary that showcases a group of comedians as they navigate their struggles with anxiety, which can be debilitating for some. Despite the heavy topic, this film is actually quite uplifting, using humor as a way to cope and find relief.

The stand-up comedy routines are funny, but what I really appreciate is how candid the comedians are about their fears and struggles with depression. We usually perceive comedians as being super confident and self-assured—at least I do—but that’s not always true. Having just seen the John Candy documentary recently, this frank exploration of comics fighting their personal demons resonates with me. Tiffany Jenkins, a comedian and author known for her Juggling the Jenkins videos on Facebook, shares her therapy sessions with us as she navigates her intense anxiety concerning her young kids. Her therapist is so nonchalant and so matter-of-fact, which I find really amusing. The film doesn’t delve deeply into clinical mental health issues, but it offers a glimpse into what is possible when individuals recognize their anxiety and take steps to address it.

Most of the comedians are unfamiliar to me, except for Marc Maron (who recently ended his WTF podcast after 16 years) and Eva Victor (whose film Sorry, Baby I reviewed back in July). There are tons of documentaries on mental health, but this one stands out because it’s more relatable and personal, and it intentionally avoids a clinical approach. Anxiety Club works to break the stigma surrounding a disorder that is still looked down upon in many cultures, and is even viewed as something to be embarrassed about by certain groups.

What could be better than humor to ease our feelings of anxiety? We not only learn new things about mental health but also get a glimpse of the fascinating world of comedy as well.

The Floaters (2025)

I’ve never attended a Jewish summer camp, and to be honest, I’m not too well-versed in the different aspects of the Judaic community. I have gone to a Summer camp in California when I was 16, so the concept of a summer camp comedy really resonates with me, and it definitely carries a universal message about friendship and connection.

Directed by Rachel Israel, the story kicks off with rock singer/guitarist Nomi (Jackie Tohn) getting kicked out of her three-member band just before they set off on their European tour. In desperate need of a distraction, she takes a last-minute job from her best friend, Mara (Sarah Podemski), at their childhood Jewish summer camp, Camp Daveed. She finds herself assigned to oversee the ‘Floaters,’ a group of misfit kids who haven’t signed up for any camp activities.

It gives off the vibe of John Hughes’ The Breakfast Club, where the kids feel like adults just don’t get them, and they’re really looking for a true connection with each other. I think those who’ve been to a Jewish camp or know the culture a bit better will appreciate this movie even more. I have to say, I sometimes feel a little lost, and the story can be pretty scattered in the first half. Maybe having six different people credited for the script has something to do with that, but one thing’s for sure: the story feels authentic and lived-in.

Tohn and Podemski share a natural chemistry as childhood friends, while Aya Cash brings humor to her role as the progressive Rabbi Rachel, who aims to address controversial topics such as gender expression and politics in her sermons. The performances of the younger cast members are uneven; however, some are more convincing than others.

Millennials and Gen-X folks will probably enjoy the supporting cast, featuring names like Steve Guttenberg, Jonathan Silverman, and Seth Green, who were in some of my favorite movies from the ’80s and ’90s. Green plays a rival camp leader and Mara’s nemesis, which fits right into the central plot, but Gutenberg’s over-the-top character seems more like a nostalgia trip.

The film makes a strong statement about casting Jewish actors in important roles, and it really honors Jewish culture and its history. One of the key plot points is about Israel’s lunar rocket, which had a time capsule filled with memoirs from the Holocaust. Even though the movie has its flaws, it’s sweet and enjoyable. I’m glad that films like this are being made to showcase the joy of Jewish summer camps and celebrate unique Jewish identities, especially with anti-Semitism on the rise. I sure hope this film will find an audience once it hits streaming. One does not have to be Jewish to enjoy this movie.

What are your thoughts of these movies?