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critics consensus

A muddled brain-teaser, Stay has a solid cast and innovative visuals but little beneath the surface. Read critic reviews

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Stay Photos

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Movie Info

Sam Foster (Ewan McGregor), a psychiatrist, has a new patient, Henry Letham (Ryan Gosling), who claims to be suicidal. In trying to diagnose him, Sam visits Henry's prior therapist (Janeane Garofalo) and also finds Henry's mother -- even though Henry has said that he murdered both of his parents. As reality starts to contradict fact, Sam spirals into an unstable mental state. Then he finds a clue as to how and when Henry may try to kill himself, and races to try to stop him.
  • Rating:
    R (Language|Disturbing Images)
  • Genre:
    mystery and thriller
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Marc Forster
  • Producer:
    Bill Carraro, Eric Kopeloff
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $3.6M
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    New Regency Pictures
  • Sound Mix:
    Dolby SRD, DTS
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Scope (2.35:1)

Cast & Crew

Ewan McGregor
Dr. Sam Foster
Naomi Watts
Lila Culpepper
Ryan Gosling
Henry Letham
Elizabeth Reaser
Athena
Bob Hoskins
Dr. Leon Patterson
B.D. Wong
Dr. Ren
Janeane Garofalo
Dr. Beth Levy
Kate Burton
Mrs. Letham
Michael Gaston
Sheriff Kennelly , Security Officer
Mark Margolis
Business Man
Marc Forster
Director
Bill Carraro
Producer
Eric Kopeloff
Producer
Roberto Schaefer
Cinematographer
Matt Chesse
Film Editor
Kevin Thompson
Production Designer
Alexa L. Fogel
Casting
Francine Maisler
Casting
Frank L. Fleming
Costume Designer
Jonathan Arkin
Art Direction
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News & Interviews for Stay

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Critic Reviews for Stay

All Critics (124) | Top Critics (40) | Fresh (33) | Rotten (91)

View All Critic Reviews (124)

Audience Reviews for Stay

  • Feb 08, 2021
    How can a film with such high calibre individuals be overlooked? I struggle with this sometimes and this is another that's a perfect example of such ignorance. For the most part, this is a genuinely intriguing psychological thriller that benefits from its committed leads. Gosling knows the score and would go on to bigger and better things but it's a treat to see him play alongside Ewan McGregor and Naomi Watts. A sleeper film in all of their résumés. It's not perfect and loses itself in its unravelling but still a very interesting and captivating film.
    Mark W Super Reviewer
  • Oct 08, 2015
    Stay probably does not deserve as much of a rating as I give it, and I actually agree with many points made by those that give it a low rating; it is lacking in plot, suspense, tension. But if you love trippy movies with visual flair and you find normal movies boring, then Stay is a must-see. It has things in it you probably have not seen anywhere else.
    Robert B Super Reviewer
  • Oct 06, 2013
    [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon13.gif[/img]
    Directors C Super Reviewer
  • Jul 23, 2011
    This movie is a trip: intense camera work, crazy angles, insane scene transitions, gorgeous lighting, breaking 360 rules, breaking pretty much every rule in the play book just to toy with the viewer's brain and it works. Naturally, the acting is good all around and great from Gosling, the music is tremendous, the effects are impressive buuuuuut the story, while comprehensible, doesn't want to develop characters; however, that is likely part of its plan for the lead up to the finale. I still felt something was missing but overall a great achievement technically. A bit like 'Jacob's Ladder' yet 'Stay' is its own monster of a mind-fuck.
    Jonny B Super Reviewer
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