Synopsis
Set against the backdrop of the prescription drug and opioid crisis in the USA, Jamie Sisley depicts the individual consequences of a societal tragedy, while taking an unflinching yet gentle look at a complicated web of relationships.
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Cast
- Wyatt OleffEthan
- Fin ArgusDerek
- Chrissy MetzMichelle
- Albert JonesDennis
- Cree CicchinoMelanie
- Quinn McColganAshley
- Lorrie OdomVicki
- Maxwell Whittington-CooperMark
- Mary Jo MeccaRuby
- Rosemary HowardSheriff Lambert
Recommendations
- 90
Film Threat
While not breaking any molds or revealing a side to addiction that many films haven’t before, Stay Awake tastefully captures how devastating it can be for family members. - 83
Collider
Stay Awake is certainly a balancing act of addiction, compassion, difficult choices, that still manages hilarious moments and periods of joy. Stay Awake isn’t just an integral film about addiction, it’s also one of the best directorial debuts of the year. - 75
The Film Stage
Metz is great at toeing that line between manic and depressive moments, constantly deflecting her truth with humor. Argus is close behind—always smiling so as not to cry. Theirs is a journey too many must take. One full of possibilities and tragedies wherein hope often comes at the cost of pain. - 50
IndieWire
It’s an earnest look at the collateral damage surrounding addiction, and the movie is at its strongest when it homes in on the experiences of Ethan and Derek. But as the main characters of the movie learn, compassion alone isn’t always enough.
