Stay Alive

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Stay Alive

PG-13

2006

1h 25m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

12%

Tomatometer

57 Reviews

56%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

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.

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Critics Consensus

A by-the-numbers teen horror flick, Stay Alive fails to exploit its premise for any real scares.

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Brian Tallerico

UGO

03/24/2007

One of those movies that thinks loud sounds and shaky cameras account for scares, and reminding of us of truly scary gaming experiences only amplifies its weaknesses.

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J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

03/07/2007

There's a gothic backstory to all this, which makes no sense but looks pretty cool.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

07/29/2006

1/5

Never has a title been more horribly at odds with the way you're actually going to feel while watching the movie.

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Joe Lipsett

Murder Made Fiction Podcast - Bloody Disgusting

05/19/2025

3/5

It's not a good movie, but it is a fun movie, especially for audiences craving some mid-aughts fashion and characters

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Alberto Abuín

Espinof

02/13/2020

Any video game character is a better actor than the ones that work here. [Full Review in Spanish]

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Ethan Alter

Film Journal International

03/01/2007

If Stay Alive teaches us anything, it's that videogames and horror films do not mix...at least in the same movie.

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Farah R.

@Farah Apr 26

Stay Alive’s creative and unique concept is ahead of its time. Despite the outdated graphics, the inventive blend of video game elements and horror movie tropes helped it become a cult favorite for its fun, campy vibe. The characters are compelling and the kills are cool, making it a decent horror flick.

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Gi S

@Gistevenn Feb 18

I didn't know if i was watching a game or a movie half the time but i'm not a gamer i'm a movie watcher.

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Dre C.

@Dre302 Feb 7

Such nostalgia rewatching this film again. As it hasn’t aged the best , I still really enjoy it and its wacky and creative ideas it had. Back then, I wished it was a real game to play as it looked fun on the gameplay scenes back in the ps2 era but overall , for a generic horror film, I still had a fun time rewatching it.

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summer t

@Summeracacia Jan 31

This was one of the first horrors my parents let me watch & I still love it today. You feel like you’re being watched constantly, every shadow, every shake, there is always something you notice the second time watching that you missed & it sends a chill down my spine all over again. Love the story, love the characters, would absolutely love to get a second film!

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Tomas I.

@GymLdrTomas Dec 18

Such a very underrated movie. This movie was ahead of its time. I think if it was made today it would be hit. Awesome concept this movie is one I wouldn’t mind a remake or sequel made.

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Neoa7a7 T

@RT98892700 Nov 12

Stay Alive is such an underrated horror gem — the concept of a deadly video game was way ahead of its time

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Synopsis

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.

Director: William Brent Bell
Producer: Gary Barber, McG, Matthew Peterman, Roger Birnbaum
Screenwriter: William Brent Bell, Matthew Peterman
Distributor: Buena Vista
Production Co: Endgame Entertainment, Wonderland Sound and Vision, Spyglass Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Disturbing Images|Brief Sexual and Drug Content|Horror Violence|Language)
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 24, 2006, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 9, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $23.1M
Runtime: 1h 25m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)