Stay

Sam Foster, a psychiatrist, takes on a new patient named Henry Letham who insists he is suicidal. As Sam digs into Henry's story, he visits Henry's former therapist and even meets Henry's mother, hoping to verify what Henry claims about his own life. Henry asserts that he has killed both of his parents, and the tale he tells grows increasingly unsettling. But as Sam follows the threads, the supposed facts begin to contradict each other, and memories reshape themselves in his mind. Reality and fiction blur, leaving him unsure what is true and what is manipulation. When a clue points to a specific moment Henry might act, Sam races to intervene while his own grip on sanity weakens and time starts to run out.

Stay released in 2005 directed by Marc Forster with a screenplay by David Benioff. It presents an original story rather than an adaptation, anchored by an ensemble led by Ewan McGregor, Naomi Watts and Ryan Gosling. The production emphasized mood and storytelling that keeps audiences guessing.

While Stay did not become a lasting cultural phenomenon, it is noted for its tense mood and its trio of lead performances. Critics point to the film's manipulation of perception and memory, inviting viewers to question what they are seeing. Its visuals and sound design heighten the sense of danger.

Critical reception was mixed, with praise for the performances and atmosphere but some critics felt the plot tangled and the twists undercut coherence. The film examines reality versus illusion, the burden of professional duty, and how trauma shapes perspective, forcing characters to reevaluate what matters most in their lives today.

Box office details are not highlighted in the provided data. What is known is that Stay was released in theatres with a moderate reception and did not become a domestic blockbuster, remaining more of a cult thriller for some viewers.