Stay MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +1 1/2 Content: -3

In this thriller, psychologist Sam Forster (Ewan McGregor) is assigned to the case of a troubled young artist, Henry Letham (Ryan Gosling), who hears voices in his head and has an eerie ability to predict the future. After hearing his new patient say that he intends to kill himself in three days, Sam sets out on a strange journey to save Henry from himself. When reality and fantasy begin colliding, Sam begins to question his ability to discern between fact and falsehood, and his girlfriend (Naomi Watts) soon fears that his mental health is in jeopardy. Stay is an intriguing work filmed with creative camera angles and fluid transitions that make viewers feel as disoriented and discombobulated as the characters on screen. This format adds to the suspense and mystery but also adds confusion to the plot twists and a story with no real resolution to the conflict.

Stay explores the idea of the existence of a world between the living and the dead, a place where no one would want to be. While the film makes great attempts at imaginative suspense, its dark storyline is plagued with death and hopelessness and leaves viewers feeling empty and confused. In addition to obscene language, the excessive themes of suicide, depression and psychosis make the film objectionable. Though there is an element of the afterlife presented, it is without mention or reference to God, much less any hope of peace in heaven. It gives the impression that souls linger in a dreamlike state between the worlds of the living and the dead. This is a place of chaos, confusion and fear. In light of the dismal and joyless themes, viewers may want to stay away from this film.

Preview Reviewer: Kellie Parmar
Distributor: Fox