| “ | Let me tell you why this shit is crazy to me. Because, when I was writing the song 'Stan,' I think I was just understanding the impact that my music was having on some people. And it's so crazy to me to look at, over my career, just the fact that I was able to impact people. […] [I]t's still surreal to this day to look out here and see all you and the fact that my music has inspired you. This film is a thank you to all of you for sticking by me for this whole fucking time. I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. | ” |
—Eminem at the documentary's NYC premiere | ||
Stans is a 2025 documentary film centered on American rapper Eminem and his relationship with his fame and fandom. It debuted at the SXSW London Screen Festival on June 2, 2025. The film was available at AMC Theatres for a limited run of one weekend—August 7 to 10—and released exclusively to the streaming service Paramount+ later that year on August 26.[1] It contains archival footage and was accompanied by the official soundtrack that includes unreleased songs. The film included appearances from Ed Sheeran, Adam Sandler, Dr. Dre, and Devon Sawa.
The title refers to "stan," a word that derived from Em's song of the same name that grew to become a definition for an obsessive fan of a particular celebrity.
Synopsis[]
Released in 2000, Eminem's song "Stan" — about an obsessive, unstable fan — remains iconic. So iconic that the term stan was officially added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2017. In the song, the titular character handwrites a series of emotional letters to Eminem, repeating the line: I'm just like you. That refrain serves as a guiding light for this unconventional and fully authorized feature, which follows a highly curated cast of real-life stans whose deep personal connections to Eminem mirror some of the themes found throughout his lyrics. More than just an exploration of fandom, the film examines the complicated relationship between one of the world's most private artists and his massive public persona. Through stylized recreations, rare archival footage, intimate interviews, and an exclusive original interview with Eminem himself, it offers a raw, loud, and revealing journey across his career — and the passionate audience that has grown with him.
Background and development[]
On February 14, 2024, Variety published an exclusive about Em co-producing the documentary via Shady Films.[2] Two months later on April 10, Em took to Twitter to ask superfans to fill out a questionnaire to potentially be featured in the film. It included questions like if the person considered themself a "Stan," if they collected merch, created artwork, or wrote fan fiction, frequency of listening to his music, and favorite song. Then, afterwards the person was asked to upload a one-minute video of why they are Eminem's "biggest fan".[3]
The idea of the documentary was during a time when Eminem was regularly approached about making one on his career. He wasn't necessarily on board with this, as he felt documentaries were what people did near the end of their career or when the subject has long passed. His manager Paul Rosenberg noted that he was challenged with what to present to Em that was different; due to the withstanding popularity of the song, "Stan," Rosenberg realized compiling fans stories could be "interesting enough" to "maybe create the film that way." The process began 12 years ago (circa 2013), where they had people with them interview some Em fans.[4]
Director Steven Leckart stated how "unconventional" it was, and was eager of the project opportunity, being part of the hip-hop '80s and '90s generation of listeners. When interviewing Eminem, Leckart didn't write down any questions. He noted in a press release that the one lyric from "Stan," 'I'm just like you,' was the basis of the documentary. He continued, "Fans who echo that same sentiment carry much of the film. But like the song, Marshall's perspective was also essential to the movie. I'm grateful for just how candid, sincere and frequently hilarious he was."[5]
Release and promotion[]
On July 15, 2025, the official trailer was uploaded to Em's Youtube channel, which began with the definition of "Stan". It follows with Eminem archival footage and audio of fans asking the rapper questions. At the end, Eminem stares directly at the camera and asks, "What's your first question?"[6]
The sold-out film premiere was held on August 6, 2025 at The Rooftop at Pier 17 in New York City. Em made a surprise appearance, where he thanked the crowd. Following the film, a live panel discussion was hosted, including Rosenberg, actor Devon Sawa (who played "Stan" in the music video), Leckart, and two of the superfans featured in the film.
Ticket purchasers could also receive a free popcorn bucket at select theatres where it was available until stock lasts. Details include it resembling an RX pill bottle, with Stanley Mitchell's name on it. It included the lines "take to get out of bed" and "remember that it's not so bad".
Critical reception[]
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 93% of 14 critics' reviews are positive.
Collider writer Luna Guthrie called it a "bleak but fascinating look at the price of fame," which offers discourse on parasocial relationships, impact of social media on celebrity culture, and "exposing the transactional nature" where privacy is a luxury and fans oft point a microscope at who they're a fan of.[7] John Anderson of The Wall Street Journal remarked that it felt "late in the game" to be releasing a documentary due to its nature, though added that the fans were the "heart of the film".[8] The Detroit News film critic Adam Graham acknowledged the unconventionality of looking through the fans' perspective, though felt they didn't "add a lot of depth" as there could be lack of audience investment and not much new information.[9]
Release[]
| Territory | Platform | Date |
|---|---|---|
| US, Canada, Latin America, Brazil | Paramount+ | August 26, 2025 |
| UK, Australia, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria | August 27, 2025 | |
| Japan | October 3, 2025 |
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ Saponara, Michael (July 15, 2025). "Eminem's 'Stans' Documentary Is Hitting Theaters for One Weekend Only: Watch the Teaser Trailer". Billboard.
- ↑ Aswad, Jem (February 14, 2024). "Eminem to Co-Produce 'Stans,' a Documentary on the World of Superfans (Exclusive)". Variety.
- ↑ DeSantis, Rachel (April 11, 2024). "Eminem Puts Out Call for His Biggest 'Stans' to Reach Out Ahead of Upcoming Documentary". People.
- ↑ Graff, Gary (August 6, 2025). "'Stans' Director & Eminem's Manager Break Down How the 'Unconventional' Documentary Was Made". Billboard.
- ↑ Lammers, Tim (August 23, 2025). "Eminem Music Documentary 'Stans' New on Streaming This Week". Forbes.
- ↑ Dunworth, Liberty (July 15, 2025). "Eminem Meets Real-Life 'Stans' in First Trailer for New Documentary Film – Watch". NME.
- ↑ Guthrie, Luna (August 7, 2025). "'Stans' Review: This New Documentary Is a Dark Look at Fame, Fandom, and the Career of Eminem". Collider.
- ↑ Anderson, John (August 21, 2025). "'Stans' Review: Eminem's Biggest Fans on Paramount+". The Wall Street Journal.
- ↑ Graham, Adam (August 7, 2025). "'Stans' Review: Eminem's Story, as Told Through His Most Dedicated Fans". The Detroit News.
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