'Stans' review: Documentary shines light on Eminem's immense fanbase

Courtesy of MTV Entertainment Studios

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An earnest and affectionate, if not especially probing, documentary about the world’s most devoted Eminem followers, "Stans" is exactly what you’d expect from a film produced by Shady Films: it’s made by the fans, for the fans. Directed by Steven Leckart, the film acts as a nostalgic time capsule of Eminem’s meteoric rise, while exploring the intense loyalty and love that his music inspires.

The documentary takes its name from the rapper’s iconic 2000 song  “Stan,” a dark, cautionary tale of a fan whose obsession turns fatal that cemented “The Marshall Mathers LP” as one of if not the defining album of Eminem’s career. Since then, the term has been reclaimed, entering the Oxford Dictionary in 2017 as “an extremely devoted or obsessed fan of a particular celebrity, artist, show or public figure.” The film smartly points out this evolution, though it doesn’t dig too deeply into the contradiction of a warning becoming a badge of honor.

Still, "Stans" is more interested in admiration than critique. It features candid testimonials from everyday fans, like one person with over 20 Eminem tattoos, as well as appearances from Carson Daly and, somewhat randomly, Adam Sandler to offer their take on Eminem’s historic rise within the hip-hop world. These moments help paint a picture of just how far-reaching Eminem’s influence has been. There’s also real emotional weight in the segment about Proof (DeShaun Dupree Holton), Eminem’s best friend and D12 bandmate, whose tragic death still echoes through the rapper’s life and legacy. Hearing how that death impacted the fans is an interesting paradox that never gets the airtime it deserves. 

Shockingly, Eminem appears in a rare sit-down interview, discussing addiction, fame, fatherhood, and the madness of early-2000s tour life. Some of this may be familiar territory to longtime devotees, but it’s still compelling to hear it from the man himself. For newcomers or more casual listeners, the film offers a heartfelt overview of the artist’s career arc and cultural impact.

When it tries to delve into the psychological mindset of the fans is where the documentary loses some steam. "Stans" briefly touches on concepts like “parasocial relationships” and the way fandom has changed in the age of social media (think “Club Chalamet” style devotion), but doesn’t linger on the darker edges of celebrity obsession. Instead, the film leans into the positive stories: fans who say songs like “Not Afraid” helped pull them back from the brink, or who found connection and purpose through writing letters to their idol.

That warmth is the film’s strength and its limitation. The emotional beats don’t always land as powerfully as they could, and we don’t get to know the featured stans as deeply as we might like. But for what it is—a tribute, not an exposé—"Stans" is a solid salute to the power of music, and the deep, sometimes life-saving connection it can foster between an artist and their audience.

If you're already part of the Eminem world, "Stans" might feel like a well-produced memory lane. If you're not? It’s still a thoughtful, occasionally moving look at what it means to truly feel music.

And if you don’t like it? Well, according to Eminem… you can eat a bag of dicks.

Grade: B- 

STANS opens in select theaters Thursday, August 7th.