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Jo P I watched this based on a recommendation of someone whose taste I respect, who claimed it was misunderstood and unfairly panned in its time. It has a phenomenal cast, and it’s beautiful to look at. The cinematography is amazing. However, by the end, I *did* get it. I read some more about the film to see if i had missed anything important, or if perhaps I had misunderstood it. I had not. Here’s the thing: I love this genre — surrealist mystery, “what is real?”, etc. — when it’s done well. This movie is missing something. The main thing it’s lacking is heart. I can’t put my finger on what else might have improved it. The characters feel flat. The concept is very interesting, and the technical aspects complement the idea very well, but the “ohh, I get it” ending just wasn’t enough for me to be glad that I had taken the time to see it. It’s a real shame, too, because it had many of the ingredients necessary to make a cult classic — it just left out one or two that would have made all the difference. I will say this: anyone who says that Stay makes no sense is wrong. Maybe they didn’t watch until the end, of they just didn’t understand it. But just because a concept is elevated, and a movie is too confusing for some people, doesn’t make it brilliant. It just makes it inaccessible for part of the audience. In a way, I wish I hadn’t understood and could have had a revelation from outside of myself blow me away. Understanding it was unhelpful in any case. Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 10/31/25 Full Review M D This movie made no sense whatsoever. I kept waiting for there to be some plot explanation, but it never came. I really wanted to know what the true story was. Rated 0.5/5 Stars •  Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 10/29/25 Full Review Logan S Every negative review of this movie is from someone who either didn't finish the movie or were on their phone. The symbolism, setup, transitions, feelings, mystery and payoff are all perfect. The longer it takes for someone to catch on - understandably the more confusing for said audience member. I personally caught on to where the movie was leading about halfway and every frame built to the conclusion. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/26/25 Full Review Ralph R Stay (2005) is such an underrated gem that feels like it was built piece by piece with an artist’s brush. Marc Forster didn’t just direct a psychological thriller, he crafted a puzzle where every detail matters. From the way a painting on a wall echoes a scene, to characters reappearing in strange ways, to transitions that feel like they’re pulling you deeper into someone’s mind, this movie thrives on atmosphere and symbolism. The production design is incredible, and the attention to detail is the kind of thing you only fully appreciate after multiple viewings. The acting is another strong point. Ewan McGregor, Naomi Watts, and Ryan Gosling all bring depth to roles that could have easily slipped into clichés. Gosling especially sells the fragile, haunted side of Henry, while McGregor carries the weight of trying to hold it all together. The supporting cast fits in seamlessly, giving the whole thing a grounded feel even when the story gets surreal. Critics dismissed this film as too confusing or “style over substance,” but that’s missing the point. It’s a film about perspective, grief, and the fragility of life, told in a dreamlike way that doesn’t play by the usual rules. It asks you to pay attention, to let yourself get lost, and to pick up the clues hidden in plain sight. For me, that’s what makes it so good, and why it deserves way more recognition than it got. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/26/25 Full Review Jay B Personally I loved it, probably for the wrong reasons. Mainly to oggle Ryan Gosling, what a stunning performance from a beautiful guy. It struck me as a tad David Lynch, imagary and rather disjointed. Loved it. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/26/25 Full Review Rachel O Do you know how when you watch Donnie Darko the first time, you have no clue wtf happened? It's like that, but no matter how many times you watch it you still have no clue what the plot is and what exactly happened. I have no clue what to say about this. Do not recommend. Rated 1.5/5 Stars •  Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 08/24/25 Full Review Read all reviews

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