Are superfans all bad? New films explore the 'dark side' of stan culture Patrick Ryan, USA TODAYAugust 22, 2025 at 10:30 PM In 2000, Eminem redefined how we talk about fan culture with "Stan," which charts the downward spiral of an increasingly unhinged devotee, whose impassioned letters to the rapp...
- - Are superfans all bad? New films explore the 'dark side' of stan culture
Patrick Ryan, USA TODAYAugust 22, 2025 at 10:30 PM
In 2000, Eminem redefined how we talk about fan culture with "Stan," which charts the downward spiral of an increasingly unhinged devotee, whose impassioned letters to the rapper go mostly unanswered.
The song is almost chillingly prophetic 25 years later, at a time when superfans flood the comments of their favorite artists on social media, airing their grievances and demanding to be noticed.
"Whether you're doing it over physical mailed letters or through DMs, that basic premise is the same," says Steven Leckart, director of the new Eminem documentary "Stans" (streaming Aug. 26 on Paramount+), which the rap star co-produces and appears in. "You're probably going to feel a little sense of, 'Why am I shouting into the ether and not hearing back?' There's a disappointment and bitterness that could set in."
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In the new documentary "Stans," Eminem opens up about trying to protect his privacy while connecting with fans.
"Stans" takes an unconventional approach to the standard music doc, examining the life and career of Eminem through interviews with his most diehard supporters. It's one of a handful of recent projects that are reassessing the oft-uncomfortable lengths that people will go for their favorite celebrities.
'Lurker' shows the 'scary' realities of parasocial relationships
"Scream" (2022) and "Swarm" (2023) both used horror to satirize toxic fandom and disgruntled keyboard warriors, while earlier this year, The Weeknd played a fictionalized version of himself in "Hurry Up Tomorrow," a psychedelic melodrama in which he is held hostage by a crazed fan (Jenna Ortega). And the recent comedy "Borderline," starring Jack Nicholson's son Ray, also centered on a man stalking a pop star (Samara Weaving).
Meanwhile, "Lurker" (in theaters now) follows a clothing store clerk named Matthew (Théodore Pellerin) who wheedles his way into the inner circle of an up-and-coming artist, Oliver (Archie Madekwe). The film explores the petty jealousies and power dynamics that fuel the group of interchangeable young men in Oliver's orbit, as Matthew gradually becomes famous by association and fights to stay relevant.
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