Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Suicide, drugs, language in docu about hardcore fans.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Stans
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
STANS offers insights from hardcore fans of Marshall Mathers, the musician best known as Eminem, about what his music has meant to them. The word "stans," now widely used and included in dictionaries, was first introduced in Eminem's 2000 song about a crazed fan. A selection of Eminem "stans" from around the world relate the artist and his music to their own lives. Eminem is also interviewed about fame and fandom. Archive footage walks us through some of his career highlights and places in Detroit relevant to his life.
Is It Any Good?
This unique documentary is more about a musician's relationship with his fans than the musician himself, even if it's Eminem's participation that will draw audiences. His career and life story are reviewed here, but don't expect lengthy interviews or performances from Eminem in Stans. You will instead get insight into why he is called an "unwilling cult leader," as well as why he has found fame to be a kind of "imprisonment." His song "Stan," which gives the film its name, first addressed the complicated relationship of obsessive fans with celebrities.
Self-admitted stans tell truly emotional stories about getting sober or overcoming suicidal thoughts thanks to Eminem's life and music. They also reveal surprising fan behavior, like earning a world record for the most tattoos of a musical artist, changing their name to Marshall, or taking three months off school to get over the death of Eminem's best friend. While the message seems to be that Eminem values his fans above all else, a closing scene visualizing a real fan with the face of the actor who played the crazy fan in the original "Stan" video sends a slightly different message.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the concept of Stans. Why do some fans become stans? Have you experienced this yourself?
In what ways has Eminem proven to be a role model for the fans interviewed in the film, beyond just his music? Explain.
Eminem is interviewed in the documentary, but not extensively. Fans also say they were hoping to meet him when they came in to be interviewed. Were these aspects disappointing to you as a viewer? Explain, and discuss anything else missing for you.
Movie Details
- In theaters : August 7, 2025
- On DVD or streaming : August 25, 2025
- Cast : Eminem , Adam Sandler , Devon Sawa
- Director : Steven Leckart
- Studio : Paramount+
- Genre : Documentary
- Topics : Activism ( Civic engagement ) , Arts ( Concert , Music and Sing-Along )
- Run time : 101 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 15, 2025
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