Whether you drove off a bridge with your pregnant wife in the trunk, or you cried when you heard Taylor Swift got engaged, you might just be a Stan. The term, taken from Eminem’s 2000 hit, has become a regularly used word in the English language, meaning an over obsessive fan. With a mix of interviews and old footage, “Stans” highlights Eminem’s career, while also bringing light to the power and the pitfalls of worshipping celebrities.

Directed by Steven Leckart, “Stans,” released on Aug. 7, 2025, follows the evolution of the word Stan from the name of a fictional character in a graphic song into a widely used term. It features fans across the globe, musical experts, and icons who have been influenced by Eminem’s work. The film reflects the passion, creativity, and devotion of those fans while acknowledging the darker aspects of an extreme fandom as well. Received well by many, “Stans” scored an 88 percent from critics and 94 percent from fans on Rotten Tomatoes.

The narrative is made clear and easy to follow, based around the growth of Eminem’s career along with his fan base. The film could have easily been a celebration of the artist’s accomplishments, however it balances the fan’s experiences with deeper questions about society with things such as parasocial relationships and the role of the internet in following the lives of celebrities.

At its core, “Stans” is about identity and belonging. It asks questions like: Why do people feel so attached to celebrities? Where is the line between healthy and unhealthy fandom? Eminem himself is shown throughout the film expressing love for his fans, yet also concern.

Some of the documentary’s strongest moments come from interviews with fans. From young people who use Eminem’s lyrics to escape reality to older fans who have supported him from the start, their stories are raw and full of emotion. Cultural critics and music journalists also add necessary context, helping the film find a nice balance between emotion and analysis.

The film makes good use of old footage from Eminem’s early career including music videos and live performances. Footage of fan letters and pages from one of Eminem’s lyric books convey the deep emotional attachment to the artist, while the soundtrack, containing songs from all eras of Eminem’s catalogue and an unreleased track, keeps the pacing fast and energetic.

The documentary is careful in presenting facts, constantly citing the cultural impact that Eminem has had and the origins of “Stans” in both music history and internet slang. While the information is presented in more of a storytelling format rather than statistical, it stays credible by including multiple perspectives and not shying away from controversy.

“Stans” leaves viewers with a complicated but important message: fandom can be a source of strength, creativity, and community, but it also has the potential to blur the boundaries between inspiration and obsession. For Eminem fans, the movie was a tribute. For everyday movie goers, it is an eye-opening study about how culture can shape our lives.

Overall, “Stans” succeeds as a thought provoking and entertaining documentary. It celebrates the passion of Eminem’s fanbase while reflecting on the meaning of being devoted in today’s age. Whether you’re a lifelong Stan or just someone curious about the culture of fandom, this documentary is worth watching.

I rate this a solid 10/11.