Performance & Direction: Stay Review
Last updated: February 24, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Stay (2018) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 4.8/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Romance.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Romance is often anchored by its ensemble, and Stay features a noteworthy lineup led by Shogen . Supported by the likes of Ana Tanaka and Shima Onishi , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Stay
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2018, Stay is a Romance, Crime, Drama film directed by Darryl Wharton. The narrative explores the complexities of love and relationships with emotional depth and authenticity. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Shogen.
Ending Explained: Stay
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Darryl Wharton, Stay attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to romance resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation involving Shogen, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the romance themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Stay reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Stay Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Stay incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a romance, crime, drama film directed by Darryl Wharton, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement for Shogen's character.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: Stay adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch Stay?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Romance films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Top Cast: Stay
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Where to Watch Stay Online?
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Amazon VideoStay Parents Guide & Age Rating
2018 AdvisoryWondering about Stay age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Stay is 98 minutes (1h 38m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 4.8/10, and global performance metrics, Stay is classified as a AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2018 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stay worth watching?
Stay is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Romance movies. It has a verified rating of 4.8/10 and stands as a AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Stay parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Stay identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Stay?
The total duration of Stay is 98 minutes, which is approximately 1h 38m long.
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movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
