TheMovieSearch R
Stay (2025) sets itself up with a compelling premise — a married couple on the brink of divorce forced to fight for survival against a supernatural threat. It’s the kind of idea that could easily blend emotional drama with chilling horror, offering both character depth and genuine scares. Unfortunately, the execution doesn’t live up to that promise. What could’ve been a tense, layered psychological horror instead becomes a flat and uninspired film that never quite figures out what it wants to be.
From the very beginning, the story struggles to find its footing. The setup is intriguing — an MMA fighter and a successful author trapped together, forced to confront both their personal demons and a literal one. But the screenplay never explores those dynamics in a meaningful way. The dialogue feels forced, the pacing is uneven, and the scares are almost nonexistent. Rather than building suspense or dread, the film drifts from scene to scene without urgency, leaving you waiting for something impactful to happen. Unfortunately, it never does.
The biggest flaw lies in the writing. The screenplay fails to capitalize on its emotional core — the couple’s fractured relationship — and it never commits to the supernatural side either. You’re left watching a story that doesn’t know if it wants to be a character study, a haunted-house horror, or a supernatural thriller. Because of that confusion, none of the elements land effectively. There’s potential for tension and tragedy, but the writing doesn’t develop the characters deeply enough to make us care about their survival or reconciliation.
The director also seems unsure of tone or direction. Scenes that should’ve been filled with tension and atmosphere instead feel bland and disconnected. The cinematography is serviceable but uninspired, and the editing doesn’t do much to enhance the pacing or emotion. You can tell there was effort behind the concept — the structure of a once-loving couple forced to fight side by side against something evil is powerful — but the execution is so disjointed that it robs the story of all emotional weight.
Even the performances can’t save the material. Both leads give it their best, but they’re working with dialogue that feels hollow and repetitive. Their chemistry, which should be central to the film’s success, comes across as awkward and unconvincing. You never believe in them as a couple, nor do you feel the stakes of their situation. The lack of emotional resonance makes the supernatural threat even less effective — when you don’t care about the people in danger, there’s no fear in seeing them face it.
In the end, Stay is a disappointment — a film that had all the right ingredients but failed to mix them into anything memorable. It’s not scary, it’s not emotionally gripping, and it’s certainly not original. With a tighter script, more character focus, and a clearer tone, this could’ve been a haunting and heartfelt entry in the modern horror landscape. Instead, it’s another forgettable title that vanishes the moment the credits roll.
Rated 0.5/5 Stars •
Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars
11/07/25
Full Review
Julie B.
I liked it. Slow start, but definitely worth a watch..
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
10/25/25
Full Review
Jennifer C.
Definitely a must watch.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
10/19/25
Full Review
tm11999 M
voodoo from africa can't help the weak minded africa people in america. shaking things and dancing in a circle doesn't stop the evil spirit from tormenting these dumb asses. this ain't a scary movie, just one that helps me understand separation is the answer. don't watch this crapfest, it ain't for you.
Rated 0.5/5 Stars •
Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars
10/13/25
Full Review
Christian C
These AI reviews are laughable… Same phrasing, same sentence structure. Even verbatim sentences at some points.
Anyway, this movie is probably not what you’re hoping it is. Finding out what *actually* caused their split is not the kind of thing that should be reconciled with the notion of “lock them in a room and work it out.”
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
10/13/25
Full Review
Deashi W
“Stay” isn’t your typical supernatural thriller. It’s a slow-burn, atmospheric piece that leans more into existential dread and emotional unraveling than jump scares or gore. While some might dismiss it as a muddled or overly abstract experience, I found its unconventional approach both refreshing and, at times, deeply profound.
A Premise Steeped in Symbolism
The setup is deceptively simple: a couple on the verge of separation begins to experience increasingly violent and surreal supernatural occurrences. But beneath the surface, this isn’t just a haunted house story — it's a metaphorical descent into the psychological and emotional breakdown of a relationship. The horror elements serve not just as scares, but as reflections of internal turmoil, grief, and disconnection.
Performances That Ground the Supernatural
The lead actors deliver gripping, emotionally resonant performances that elevate the material beyond genre clichés. Their chemistry feels raw and lived-in, grounding the more surreal sequences in a painful, relatable reality. The tension between them is thick and unrelenting — a mirror to the eerie, external forces creeping into their lives.
Cinematography and Direction: Sparse but Effective
While some viewers might mistake the minimalist camera work and slow pacing for amateurism, it’s clear that the choices are intentional. The direction leans into unease — still shots, empty spaces, and quiet pauses build a kind of psychological dread that lingers. It's a cerebral experience more than a visceral one, and that ambition deserves recognition, even if the execution won’t be for everyone.
A Cultural Layer Rarely Explored
What truly sets "Stay" apart is its integration of African mythology into the supernatural framework. These mythological elements aren’t just set dressing; they bring a refreshing perspective and cultural richness to the narrative. It’s subtle, sometimes too much so for casual viewers, but it adds a much-needed depth and uniqueness to the horror genre.
Not Without Flaws — But That's Part of Its Identity
Yes, the plot occasionally veers into confusing or illogical territory, and the ending may feel overly abstract for those seeking neat closure. But rather than detracting from the film, these ambiguities deepen its psychological and thematic resonance. The lack of clear answers is, arguably, the point. This is a film that wants to be felt, not just understood.
Final Thoughts
"Stay" won’t be for everyone. Its deliberate pacing, ambiguous narrative, and emotional heaviness may alienate viewers used to more traditional horror fare. But for those willing to sit with its discomfort, it offers a unique, introspective experience — one that lingers long after the final frame. If you're craving horror with emotional weight, mythological depth, and artistic ambition, this film is well worth your time.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
10/12/25
Full Review
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