Angst is a 2000 black comedy directed by Daniel Nettheim and starring Sam Lewis, Jessica Napier, Justin Smith and Abi Tucker. It was written by Anthony O'Connor. It was shot in and around Sydney, Australia. The film was released in Australian theatres on 31 August 2000. It was released on DVD and digital on 3 December 2025.
Contents
Plot
Angst tells the story of a group of horror film devotees living in Sydney's King's Cross. There is Dean (Sam Lewis), a cynical, sexually frustrated video store employee with a bad case of unresolved love. Then there are his flatmates Ian (Justin Smith) and Jade (Jessica Napier) - Ian works in an adult bookstore, waiting for his break as a stand-up comedian, whereas Jade does not work at all, content to smoke pot and watch videos while she can still get away with it. Wandering into the characters' lives is street kid Mole (Luke Lennox), who challenges Jade's lifestyle by stealing the trio's trusty VCR, and the alluring May (Abi Tucker), a goth chick on whom Dean develops an over-the-counter crush.
Cast
Sam Lewis as Dean
Jessica Napier as Jade
Justin Smith as Ian
Abi Tucker as May
Luke Lennox as Mole
Lara Cox as Heather
Emmanuel Marshall as Simon
Johnathan Devoy as Logan
Paul Zebrowski as Steve
Celia Ireland as Case Worker
Joel McIlroy as Chook
Reception
ABC's Julie Rigg described the production as a "sweetly enjoyable film which almost works". David Stratton gave the film four out of five stars.
Writer Anthony O’Connor claims that after its VHS rental release the movie was frequently stolen from video rental shops, where the film did well.
Box office
Angst took $58,850 at the box office in Australia, which is equivalent to $117,445 in 2025 dollars.
Awards
2000 - Won Australian Screen Sound Guild for Best Achievement in Sound for Sound Effects Editing for a Feature Film
2000 - Won IF Awards for Best Music
2000 - Nominated IF Awards for Best Sound Design