Stay

"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.

"Stay" isn't your typical supernatural thriller; it's a slow-burn, atmospheric piece that leans heavily into tension, existential dread, and the complexities of a couple on the brink of a breakdown. While some might be quick to dismiss it as a muddled mess, I found its unconventional approach to both horror and relationship drama refreshing and even profound in parts.

The premise is simple but compelling: a couple, nearing the end of their marriage, begin to encounter increasingly violent and surreal supernatural forces that seem to reflect the unraveling of their own relationship. At first glance, it may seem like your standard haunted-house fare, but what sets it apart is the psychological depth and emotional rawness that the supernatural elements bring out.

The Performances: The two leads deliver standout performances that elevate the film above its clichés. Their chemistry is palpable, and their emotional conflict feels grounded in reality, which is no easy feat when supernatural forces are at play. The tension between them, which mirrors the terrifying events happening around them, keeps you invested even when the plot drifts into murkier waters.

Cinematography and Direction: While some might call it "amateurish," I found the cinematography to be deliberately sparse and haunting, creating an eerie sense of unease. The camera work is minimalistic, and the slow pacing only intensifies the overall dread. It's clear that the director is aiming for something more cerebral than your typical horror film, and that ambition is something to be appreciated, even if it doesn't always land for every viewer.

The Mythological Undertones: One of the film's standout features is its incorporation of African mythology. This layer adds depth and uniqueness to the supernatural elements, providing an intricate cultural backdrop that's not often explored in mainstream horror. It's a pity, though, that some viewers may miss the subtleties of this aspect, but it's definitely a creative choice that sets the movie apart.

Flaws: Yes, the plot does take some illogical turns, and the ending can be a bit too abstract for those looking for a straightforward resolution. However, these flaws don't detract from the movie's overall atmosphere or the psychological journey it takes you on. In fact, the ambiguity may be what makes the film linger in your mind long after the credits roll.

While it's certainly not perfect and might alienate some viewers with its slower pacing and ambiguous narrative, I think "Stay" is a film that rewards patience. It's one that stays with you, and its emotional depth and eerie atmosphere make it a unique entry into the genre. If you're tired of the cookie-cutter horror films that flood the market, "Stay Here" offers something different-a haunting, introspective look at love, loss, and the supernatural. For that, it absolutely deserves its 9 stars.

I thought this was another horror movie called Stay and decided to give it a go when I realized that I was wrong. And hoo boy, is this a stinker. It's boring, the dialogue is vapid, the plot makes no sense, the ending is dumb, and there's no sense of freshman cinematography from a rising newbie. Worst of all, it feels like a total waste of African mythology. I'd love to see that framework be used competently.

I'm convinced that the director/producers really wanted to advertise their skills as a boxer.

I suspected AI had been used to at least write the dialogue here, but I obviously couldn't prove it. However, I'm much more convinced after looking at the reviews. Every 10 star review uses similar language and was left by an account whose only activity was to leave a 10 star perfect review for this film. AI truly is a plague and there's nothing we can do about it.

This was good "YouTube short film" material. 30 minutes tops. Somebody decided to stretch out every two second silence into ten seconds, add an unforgivable quantity of supernatural and human whispering (the FL, 90% of the movie is her staring or whispering, all the whispering!) and throw in a noticeably budget soundtrack, to justify an actual full length movie. The characters keep arguing throughout the film, for no reason other than to further the plot. The arguments are kept intentionally vague so that you don't really know exactly what went wrong until much later in the film. The big reveal was unimpressive. You're mad at yourself for sticking around. The supernatural occurences are all the regular done-to-infinity-and-beyond tropes. By the end of the movie, you're rooting for the entity to kill them because you are trapped in a therapy session, you did not sign up for. The music is too loud, and begins and ends abruptly (like this review) 😁

This film never had a dull moment. It was the perfect combination of a romance and horror. The twist was also surprising. I jumped a few times and in my opinion the horror aspect is minimal- which is great for my taste. Mo McRae really played this character so well. I highly recommend this movie, go watch it now!