Stay the Night - A Movie Review

You tricked me into doing more walking.

Released in 2022, Stay the Night follows Grace, a reserved woman who is declined for a work opportunity due to her quiet demeanor. Grace reluctantly goes out for a night on the town. Seconds from hitting third base with Carter, instead, they venture into the city to get to know each other.

Several movies exist with the couple who meet in one night plotline. Stay the Night follows the rhythm of said storyline, but has more advice about romance. We’re allowed to make our own dating decisions, but at least give every option a try.

Grace and Carter are two strangers who think they have their lives together, but are missing one thing: connections. The film is a study of extroverts vs. Introverts. Andrea Bang and Joe Scarpellino study these roles closely. The script is what drew them to audition for the film.

Bang and Scarpellino connected to make their characters’ growing bond genuine. This connection is important, encouraging each other to do more of what they like. Each character’s growth is genuine.

I related to Bang’s character the most. I was reserved in high school, and although I am still shy, I have learned how important it is to make connections. You never know what you’re good at until you try. I wasn’t so fond of Carter at first, giving off horndog vibes. Once he lowers his macho mask, he reveals how he’s hurting inside, too.

All these one-night excursions have three things in common: meeting other people, grabbing food, and walking, a lot of walking.

Supporting characters are important in films like these, emphasizing traits of the main characters. Credits include Humberly Gonzalez, Raymond Ablack, Raven Dauda, Graham Abbey, Lisa Gilroy, and Kalinka Petrie.

Stay the Night is Renuka Jeyaplan’s theatrical debut. She has directed multiple series, like Ginny & Georgia and North of North, a new Netflix series. Jeyaplan was inspired to write this story based on a similar encounter, which made her think about the ‘what if.’ Characters were important, especially avoiding the cliche route.

Downtown Toronto played as the backdrop for the characters' world. Jeyaplan, who is based in Toronto, wanted to capture it in a more genuine manner, especially at night. Nighttime has a different energy from daytime. City life slows down, revealing a world you don’t often see. Cinematography of the city is pretty with all the gleaming lights.

Every destination has a purpose. Grace and Carter hit up a lot of restaurants and bars. Some of these places aren’t used to the nightlife, so not much food is left on the menu. We really get to know this city.

Another important aspect of these movies is the conversations. The film has a strong writing team, creating realistic conversations between the duo. Conversing with strangers is more eye-opening than you think. No improv was involved at all.

Thankfully, their conversations aren’t about sex the entire time, deriving creative talk around it with food. Grace and Carter have several debates, like whether it’s better to eat at the bar or a regular table. You never realize how this setup influences the evening.

Stay The Night incorporates themes about connections, relationships, and self-discovery. Another topic the characters ask each other about is if they’re happy in their careers. Most importantly, make decisions in relationships that are right for you.

Stay the Night is a deep film. It’s not the typical romance film I thought it would be. The film was more soulful than I realized. Check it out streaming on Prime.