
Stay Alive
2006, Mystery & thriller/Horror, 1h 25m
59 Reviews 100,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
A by-the-numbers teen horror flick, Stay Alive fails to exploit its premise for any real scares. Read critic reviews
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Where to watch
Stay Alive Photos
Movie Info
Teenagers decide to pass idle time by playing an online game that has a horror theme. But the action taking place on their computer screens becomes a terrifying reality when they realize that each time a character dies during the game, the figure's human overseer dies as well.
Cast & Crew
Frankie Muniz
Swink Sylvania
Swink Sylvania
Adam Goldberg
Miller Banks
Miller Banks
Milo Ventimiglia
Loomis Crowley
Loomis Crowley
Samaire Armstrong
Abigail
Abigail
Sophia Bush
October Bantum
October Bantum
Jon Foster
Hutch MacNeil
Hutch MacNeil
Critic Reviews for Stay Alive
Audience Reviews for Stay Alive
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Jun 28, 20113.2/10 "Stay Alive" is an almost perfect example of what most would call a "so-bad-it's-good" film, bumped up from perfection only by the fact that, while there's plenty unintentional laughter to be had, none of it is genuine, honorable, or worth remembering. Sure, I admit that I had a few good chuckles whilst watching this less-than-fine product, although will I watch it again so that I can laugh again as well? No, I don't think so. Literally the only thing you need to know about "Stay Alive" is that it sucks. You don't need to know much about the plot, because you can read about it in a short synopsis; and you don't need to know about the characters because honestly, you've seen them all before, in some other uber-forgettable, stupid horror movie featuring dimwitted humans and even more dimwitted paranormal spirits from beyond the grave. Video Games are often times worthless distractions and nothing more- nothing less, and maybe this is why so many people enjoy playing them. Video Games are the obsession of the film's central bunch; Hutch (Jon Foster), Abigail (Samaire Armstrong), Swink (Frankie Munez), October (Sofia Bush), and Phineus (Jimmi Simpson). They discover a brand-new online source of gaming entertainment, called "Stay Alive", after a friend suffers a horrific, tragic, and all-together mysterious demise after playing it one night. And the next night, the main group, along with a friend (Adam Goldberg), plays the game for themselves. Almost instantly, it becomes clear that this is a survival horror game unlike any other. People from the group start dying after their characters within the game die. And they die in the same exact way, too. The killer is none other than the infamous serial killer, Elizabeth Bathory, who haunts the game. I guess I won't tell you how or why she haunts the game, not that it should matter to anyone, because if you take my advice; "Stay Alive" isn't a good enough horror movie for you to want to see it. I bet a few ears perked up when I mentioned Adam Goldberg's name. He's a talent who I'd like to see in more films, or at least more films than he typically cares to be in. I remember seeing him in "Dazed and Confused" not long ago, and there he was good. Here, he is not. The problem with Goldberg, in particular, is that in "Stay Alive", he is merely amusing, and never truly "good". In a sense, he is no better than the film's more decent scenes; which are also merely amusing, and never truly good. Director William Brent Bell must think he's a sly genius for making this film. He must think that he has crafted a truly scary, creepy, and intelligent tale of virtual terror. The trouble with films about spirits, or ghosts if you may, is that you have to have sympathy for both your ghouls and your humans, although this film doesn't seem to care much about either. Anyways, moving on. Horror movies often have more stylistic venues than most films of any other genre would have. This one looks decent, but something about the style, for me, spells out the word of "bland". At best, this is glorified camp that never lives up to what is expected of it. It is lame, derivative, and all-together rather unoriginal. It is not well-acted; just as it is not well-made. I can't say I was disappointed, but when the best thing you can say about a horror flick is that stoners might enjoy it, you're in trouble. Even killers deserve solid films made about them. Elizabeth Bathory has yet to get hers.Ryan M Super Reviewer
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Jan 30, 2011It's so bad it's good. Really entertaining. Frankie Muniz! Grade: B-Matt G Super Reviewer
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Dec 02, 2010it didn't scare me, but i liked the videogame partAndreia C Super Reviewer
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Jan 13, 2010It's enjoyable, but when your watching it, you know that it's a bad movie!KJ P Super Reviewer
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