Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Momo and Okarun share a close moment in Dandadan

    Momo And Okarun: The Gold Standard For Shonen Romance

    07/03/2025
    Ironheart Episodes 4 6 But Why Tho 1

    ‘Ironheart’ Explained: Explore MCU’s Bold New Chapter

    07/01/2025
    Buck in 9-1-1

    ‘9-1-1’ Has To Let Buck Say Bisexual

    06/29/2025
    Nintendo Welcome Tour promotional image of the maraca mini-game

    The One “Game” That Justifies The Nintendo Switch 2 Purchase

    06/25/2025
    Destiel Confession in Supernatural - Castiel (Misha Collins) and Dean (Jensen Ackles)

    The Destiel Confession: The Lasting Importance Of Supernatural’s Greatest Ship

    06/22/2025
  • Squid Game
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Switch 2 Games
  • Summer Game Fest
But Why Tho?
Home » Film » SXSW 2022: ‘Stay The Night’ Will Melt Even The Hardest Of Hearts

SXSW 2022: ‘Stay The Night’ Will Melt Even The Hardest Of Hearts

Collier "CJ" JenningsBy Collier "CJ" Jennings03/15/20223 Mins ReadUpdated:08/22/2022
Stay The Night - But Why Tho
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

Stay The Night - But Why Tho

Stay The Night is written and directed by Renuka Jeyapalan, and true to its title takes place over the course of a single night. Grace (Andrea Bang) works as an HR manager and feels frustrated that she hasn’t gotten the promotion she’d been working for, leaving her to try and go out for drinks with her friend Joni (Humberly Gonzalez) – but this plan backfires when Joni takes a Tinder date back to her place. Meanwhile, NHL player Carter (Joe Scarpellino) learns that he’s been cut from his team – effectively leaving him jobless. Soon their paths cross, and they explore Toronto while also growing close to each other.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Some of the best films at SXSW usually revolve around relationships. From last year’s Inbetween Girl to the short film Radical Honesty, more SXSW fare is starting to explore love in all its forms. With Stay The Night, the question is: in an age where technology can reveal a person’s entire life, can two people form a connection without said technology? The answer seems to be yes; throughout the film, the two leads start talking and learn more about each other, including their love lives Thanks to Bang and Scarpellino’s chemistry, viewers will be drawn into their characters’ budding relationship. Jeyapalan truly lucked out when it came to casting the leads for her debut feature; it’s one of the most believable slow-burn romances put to the screen in a while.

That relationship also sees both characters overcoming their fears and hangups. Early in the film, Joni tells Grace that she self-sabotages any potential relationships due to her insecurity; Carter then pushes her to make a move the next time she meets a guy she likes – and wouldn’t you know it, she does. Likewise, Grace shows Carter the world outside of fancy hotels and restaurants, and actively gets him to open up about his fears of losing the one thing he’s good at. Jeyapalan understands that whether you’re 13 or 30, there are still things you’ll be figuring out about yourself – it’s a story thread that resonated with me since I’m still figuring out who I am at 30.

In addition to penning characters whose relationship grows over time, Jeyapalan also explores the nooks and crannies of Toronto throughout Stay The Night’s runtime. Multiple shots feature the various buildings and locations that make up the city, with cinematographer Conor Fisher playing with light to create some truly breathtaking scenes. One scene takes place in a club lit with neon; another in a skating rink that features puffs of white snow shooting into the sky as Carter and Grace skate up and down its center. Between Stay The Night and Turning Red, Toronto looks to be a fresh new setting for potential film projects.

Stay The Night is a surprisingly moving look at how modern-day relationships work, and proof that you don’t have to rush a romance or relationship. As someone whose efforts to get back into the dating game have been hampered, this film struck several chords with me.

Stay The Night premiered at the SXSW 2022.

Stay The Night
  • 9/10
    Rating - 9/10
9/10

TL;DR

Stay The Night is a surprisingly moving look at how modern-day relationships work, and proof that you don’t have to rush a romance or relationship. As someone whose efforts to get back into the dating game have been hampered, this film struck several chords with me.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleSXSW 2022: ‘Spin Me Round’ Takes A Wild Ride To Italy
Next Article Fan-Favorite Canto Returns In An All-New Miniseries!
Collier "CJ" Jennings
  • Website
  • Facebook
  • X (Twitter)

Born and raised in Texas, Collier “CJ” Jennings was introduced to geekdom at an early age by his father, who showed him Ultraman and Star Trek: The Next Generation. On his thirteenth birthday, he received a copy of Giant Size X-Men #1 and dove head first into the realm of pop culture, never looking back. His hobbies include: writing screenplays and essays, watching movies and television, card games/RPG’s, and cooking. He currently resides in Seattle.

Related Posts

The Old Guard 2
5.5

REVIEW: ‘The Old Guard 2’ Is Distracted And Half-Baked

07/02/2025
Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey in Jurassic World: Rebirth
5.5

REVIEW: ‘Jurassic World: Rebirth’ Is Best When Nobody Is Talking

06/30/2025
MEGAN 2.0 promotional image
7.0

REVIEW: ‘M3GAN 2.0’ Puts Action First

06/29/2025
F1 (2025) promotional key art
8.0

REVIEW: ‘F1’ Is A High-Octane Blockbuster

06/24/2025
KPop Demon Hunters Promotional image form Netflix
9.0

REVIEW: ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Brings Beautiful Animation And An Even Better Message

06/20/2025
Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Alfie Williams in 28 Years Later
8.5

REVIEW: ’28 Years Later’ Is How Franchises Should Return

06/18/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
Taecyeon and Seohyun in The First Night With The Duke Episodes 7-8
7.5
TV

REVIEW: ‘The First Night With The Duke’ Episodes 7-8

By Sarah Musnicky07/03/2025

The First Night With The Duke Episodes 7-8 spends welcome time in pre-domestic bliss before new developments stir up trouble.

The Terminal List: Dark Wolf trailer First Look Image From Prime Video News

Prime Video Unleashes Teaser for Prequel Series The Terminal List: Dark Wolf

By Kate Sánchez07/04/2025

The first Terminal List: Dark Wolf trailer was released today by Prime Video. The series…

Together (2025) still from Sundance
8.0
Film

REVIEW: Have A Grossly Good Time ‘Together’

By Kate Sánchez01/27/2025Updated:07/04/2025

Dave Franco and Alison Brie’s Together (2025) is disgustingly funny, genuinely ugly, and just a good time at the movies.

Black Women Anime — But Why Tho (9) BWT Recommends

10 Black Women in Anime That Made Me Feel Seen

By LaNeysha Campbell11/11/2023Updated:12/03/2024

Black women are some of anime’s most iconic characters, and that has a big impact on Black anime fans. Here are some of our favorites.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here