Courtesy of MTV Leisure Studios
An earnest and affectionate, if not particularly probing, documentary concerning the world’s most devoted Eminem followers, “Stans” is strictly what you’d count on from a movie produced by Shady Movies: it’s made by the followers, for the followers. Directed by Steven Leckart, the movie acts as a nostalgic time capsule of Eminem’s meteoric rise, whereas exploring the extreme loyalty and love that his music conjures up.
The documentary takes its identify from the rapper’s iconic 2000 music “Stan,” a darkish, cautionary story of a fan whose obsession turns deadly that cemented “The Marshall Mathers LP” as considered one of if not the defining album of Eminem’s profession. Since then, the time period has been reclaimed, getting into the Oxford Dictionary in 2017 as “a particularly devoted or obsessed fan of a selected movie star, artist, present or public determine.” The movie well factors out this evolution, although it doesn’t dig too deeply into the contradiction of a warning changing into a badge of honor.
Nonetheless, “Stans” is extra concerned about admiration than critique. It options candid testimonials from on a regular basis followers, like one particular person with over 20 Eminem tattoos, in addition to appearances from Carson Daly and, considerably randomly, Adam Sandler to supply their tackle Eminem’s historic rise inside the hip-hop world. These moments assist paint an image of simply how far-reaching Eminem’s affect has been. There’s additionally actual emotional weight within the phase about Proof (DeShaun Dupree Holton), Eminem’s greatest buddy and D12 bandmate, whose tragic demise nonetheless echoes by way of the rapper’s life and legacy. Listening to how that demise impacted the followers is an attention-grabbing paradox that by no means will get the airtime it deserves.
Shockingly, Eminem seems in a uncommon sit-down interview, discussing habit, fame, fatherhood, and the insanity of early-2000s tour life. A few of this can be acquainted territory to longtime devotees, but it surely’s nonetheless compelling to listen to it from the person himself. For newcomers or extra informal listeners, the movie presents a heartfelt overview of the artist’s profession arc and cultural impression.
When it tries to delve into the psychological mindset of the followers is the place the documentary loses some steam. “Stans” briefly touches on ideas like “parasocial relationships” and the way in which fandom has modified within the age of social media (suppose “Membership Chalamet” fashion devotion), however doesn’t linger on the darker edges of movie star obsession. As a substitute, the movie leans into the constructive tales: followers who say songs like “Not Afraid” helped pull them again from the brink, or who discovered connection and goal by way of writing letters to their idol.
That heat is the movie’s energy and its limitation. The emotional beats don’t all the time land as powerfully as they might, and we don’t get to know the featured stans as deeply as we would like. However for what it’s—a tribute, not an exposé—”Stans” is a strong salute to the facility of music, and the deep, typically life-saving connection it may foster between an artist and their viewers.
When you’re already a part of the Eminem world, “Stans” would possibly really feel like a well-produced reminiscence lane. When you’re not? It’s nonetheless a considerate, often transferring have a look at what it means to actually really feel music.
And if you happen to don’t prefer it? Effectively, in response to Eminem… you possibly can eat a bag of dicks.
STANS opens in choose theaters Thursday, August seventh.