The slow burn that “Stay The Night” delivers a different kind of “Meet-Cute” story that makes every awkward and frustrating moment worth it.
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The slow burn that “Stay The Night” delivers a different kind of “Meet-Cute” story that makes every awkward and frustrating moment worth it.
| Director(s) | Renuka Jeyapalan |
| Screenplay By | Renuka Jeyapalan |
| Date Released (In Theaters, Video On Demand) | 10/7/2022 |
| Genre(s) | Romance, Young Adult |
| Duration | 1 Hour and 29 Minutes |
| Content Rating | Not Rated |
| Noted Cast | |
| Carter | Joe Scarpellino |
| Grace | Andrea Bang |
| Joni | Humberly González |
This content contains pertinent spoilers.
Film Summary
With Carter being demoted to the minor leagues of the NHL, Grace not getting the promotion she wants, and the guy she likes at work likely having an interest in another girl, neither are having a good day. However, a chance encounter at a bar, where Grace was meeting her long-time roommate, leads to Carter originally pushing himself into Grace’s life to escape a fan. But, as the night wears on, Grace, for the first time, finds herself taking the initiative in her personal life, not just her professional one.
Things To Note
Why Is “Stay The Night” Not Rated
- Dialog: Nothing over the top to the point of being appalled
- Violence: Nope
- Sexual Content: It’s implied people had sex
- Miscellaneous: Drinking
Character Descriptions
Please Note: This character guide is not an exhaustive list of every cast member, and character descriptions may contain what can be considered spoilers.
Carter
Since he was a kid, Carter has focused on having a hockey career. It was how he hoped to connect with his absentee dad, maybe get him to show up in his life. More than a decade later, it is becoming clear that the dream will never come to reality, and it seems that Carter’s performance has suffered. But whether he’ll rededicate himself or potentially seek out a new venture is hard to say.
- You May Also Know The Actor From Being: Thomas in “The Parent Family”
Grace
Playing it safe, taking care of others, doing enough to say she made some kind of effort, but not going as far as needed to make her intentions clear, that’s what Grace has done for a long time. Because of that, she doesn’t get the promotion she wanted, has never got the guy she wanted, and at 27, these series of failures are getting to her.
- You May Also Know The Actor From Being: Janet in “Kim’s Convenience”
Joni
Joni has been Grace’s friend since college, and, coming from Grace, she is part of the reason Grace didn’t date much in college, since either she was taking care of Joni after a breakup or dealing with her hogging the room to hook up with someone.
- You May Also Know The Actor From Being: Sophie Sanchez in “Ginny & Georgia,” Vanessa in “In The Dark,” and Georgia Lancaster in “Workin’ Moms”
Review
Our Rating: Positive (Worth Seeing)
Highlights
A Good Kind Of Slow Burn
While “Stay The Night” operates as a meet-cute type story, it’s not an instant match. The film respects that Grace is awkward, and not in a comedic way, when it comes to intimacy, even if it is just getting too close with a person. But, between Carter being willing to try and Grace liking him enough to push through her insecurities and anxiety, you get the kind of romance that gets you in your feelings.
Mind you, at times, the awkwardness is cringey, but not knowing what to say, whether you should allow things to die off or try to revive them, or if you should leave well enough alone since the night has gone well, or try to extend it? These are all relatable struggles. The kind that, for those who aren’t necessarily extroverts, suave, or alluring, can understand.
Thus giving a movie that, for those who feel like Grace and are on the brink of wondering if you might just be asexual because of how crushes and feelings work for you, “Stay The Night” is representation.
*Note: She isn’t asexual, just awkward as hell.
Carter’s Willingness To Be A Friend
It’s not hard to imagine a guy like Carter being put off due to Grace going from hot to cold sometimes. At one point, she wants to hook up. The next, she is distant, a bit silent, and you think you should back off. Next thing you know, she is finding ways to re-engage, and that could be a lot. Especially because it isn’t like Carter isn’t going through something, professionally, that isn’t life altering.
Yet, you can see Carter not only wants or needs a distraction from his own life but wants to be the friend Grace clearly needs. Someone who, unlike her roommate Joni, she doesn’t have to take care of. Thus allowing her to open up, talk about her struggles, and know she isn’t going to get that old, “I can relate, and here is my life story” chat, but really dig a bit.
And it is in Carter not just trying to be a boyfriend, a one-night stand, or anything like that, but potentially just a friend for the night, that makes you like him and like him and her together.
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