Stay Awake (2022)
10/10
A Heartbreaking Tale About the Devastation of Addiction
16 August 2023
This film has a huge heart. Its strength lies in the three leads, Chrissy Metz, Wyatt Oleff and Fin Argus. It's understated, authentic and thank goodness didn't devolve into an Afterschool Special.

My only beef with the film was that they set up the possibility of the younger son confronting the doctor responsible for turning his mother into an addict but didn't deliver. The heartache that the brothers endured as a result of their mother disappointing them time and time again was real and I ached for them.

One subplot was a great example of subtext dealing with the youngest brother dealing with his sexuality but unable to truly express himself because he was trapped in a small town. Oleff handled the scenes like a true pro. Understated and poignant.

We need less superhero movies and more stories about the subject.
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