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Stay Awake

Original title: The Stay Awake
  • 1988
  • R
  • 1h 25m
IMDb RATING
2.6/10
397
YOUR RATING
Stay Awake (1988)
B-HorrorSupernatural HorrorDramaHorror

The ghost of a serial killer, executed for murdering students at a Catholic girls' school, returns to the school to take revenge on the current student body.The ghost of a serial killer, executed for murdering students at a Catholic girls' school, returns to the school to take revenge on the current student body.The ghost of a serial killer, executed for murdering students at a Catholic girls' school, returns to the school to take revenge on the current student body.

  • Director
    • John Bernard
  • Writers
    • John Bernard
    • Johan Bernard
  • Stars
    • Shirley Jane Harris
    • Tanya Gordon
    • Jayne Hutton
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    2.6/10
    397
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • John Bernard
    • Writers
      • John Bernard
      • Johan Bernard
    • Stars
      • Shirley Jane Harris
      • Tanya Gordon
      • Jayne Hutton
    • 19User reviews
    • 12Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos7

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    Top cast29

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    Shirley Jane Harris
    • Trish Walton
    Tanya Gordon
    Jayne Hutton
    Heath Porter
      Ken Marshall
      • Mr. Stark
      Lindsay Reardon
      Lindsay Reardon
      • William John Brown
      • (as Lindsey Reardon)
      Michele Carey
      Michele Carey
        Christobel d'Ortez
          Maxine John
          Heilie Oeschger
          Joanna Rowlands
          Bart Fouche
          Bart Fouche
          • Jason
          Clinton Ephron
          • Robbie
          Warren Du Preez
          • Larry
          Pierre Jacobs
          • Arnie
          Lorrain Dladla
          • Prostitute
          Dorothy Da Silva
          • Woman in flat
          Sharon Morton
          • Nurse
          • Director
            • John Bernard
          • Writers
            • John Bernard
            • Johan Bernard
          • All cast & crew
          • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

          User reviews19

          2.6397
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          Featured reviews

          Katatonia

          Really terrible horror film

          There are so many things wrong with this film that it's difficult to know where to begin. It almost seems that the voices were dubbed because they seem out of sync almost always. I'm left wondering if this was a foreign film or what exactly! The beginning of this movie starts with the execution of a murderer/rapist, and it's horribly funny what he says right before they gas him in the chamber. The first hour of the movie is really slow and boring and doesn't do anything to advance the plot. It never even remotely answers why the guy was executed in "1969" and suddenly comes back to life as a "ghost killer" in "1988". What the hell kind of dinky story is that? Even for a super-low budget movie that's just inexcusable. The last half hour of the movie is mildly decent, but the monster is one of the most pathetic things I've yet to see in any low budget horror picture...can we say it looks like a cheap Halloween suit bought at Wal-Mart??? Because that's about what it looks like...it's so horrible that it's funny beyond words. Also, you'd think with a couple of the attractive actresses in the movie that they would have inserted some gratuitous nudity scenes to at least keep certain audiences entertained. What does it do though...a shower scene with very partial nudity?? I think this was most likely the film maker's first project (and hopefully their last). Unless you just have to see every bad horror film ever made take my advice and avoid this one. Although it might not be bad if you want to see a movie that literally fails in every area.
          2benjaminryder-45940

          Like A Bad Dream

          You definitely won't want to stay awake for The Stay Awake. While it looks and sounds like a real movie and there's clearly some sort of budget behind this movie (even if it is small), there's not a single interesting character or set piece in the entire film. I just saw this movie last night and I'm already having a hard time remembering anything about it. I believe there was some sort of monster surrounded by fog and glowing eyes (but usually represented via Evil Dead-esque swirly cam), I'm pretty sure there were a bunch of girls staying inside their school for the night, and I believe there's a female gym teacher thrown in there, too. Ask me anything else and I'll be at a loss.

          Why anyone felt the need to greenlight this script is a mystery. This one is rough and not even in a fun "so bad, it's good" kind of way. Save your sanity and skip it.
          1abrltw

          Birthdate incorrect

          Michele Lee Henson aka Michele Carey was born in 1942.

          Also, one screen credit is missing, a comedy from May 15th, 1974. It was a three part comedy show on NBC. She played Lisa Sprague opposite of Richard Mulligan. Lisa was a ghost who comes back to haunt her cheating husband. The series was short called NBC Wednesday Night at the Movies.

          Lastly, Michele was not in the film The Stay Awake. Michelle Carey is an English actress.
          Wizard-8

          Stay awake? You won't

          Before Nu Image made a name for itself by making and distributing high-quality straight-to-video movies, they were known for making and distributing junk like this. "Stay Awake" may not be the worst horror movie, but it would probably be high on a list of the most BORING movies. After the execution scene at the beginning of the movie (supposedly taking place in America, though you see South African license plates), just about nothing of real consequence happens for the next forty or so minutes! And what does eventually happen is not worth the wait, with slaughter sequences that are tame in gore and blood, and directed with as little passion as you can imagine. There isn't even any gratuitous nudity! The characters are thin and all alike in nature, and there are a bunch of unanswered questions like how the spirit of an executed serial killer could cross an ocean - and WHY he would do this. There is no possible reason to seek out and watch this movie.
          1insomniac_rod

          Not even an ultra low budget horror movie to laugh about...

          I'm almost sure that this didn't get a theatrical release. It's so bad it's bad; not to laugh about or feel pity for it.

          The acting is terrible; it's so bad that even the accent of the main actresses is horrible. The situations are slow and boring. There's little action in the movie but it's so cheesy that you can't tell if it's intended to be funny. The demon is laughable! those red eyes are pathetic. The serial killer ghost suddenly appears and tells things about darkness and it's power.

          "The Stay Awake" is a prime example of how low budget horror movies shouldn't be made. Pathetic f/x, horrible acting, terrible direction and worst of all there's no connection between the events.

          Please avoid this one at all costs. There's nothing good about it... There aren't even attractive women.

          Horrible movie to boot to the trash can! You better rent a direct to video horror flick from the early 2000 rather than watch this. Any Full Moon Pictures movie is way superior.

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          Storyline

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          Did you know

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          • Trivia
            Final film of Michele Carey.
          • Connections
            Featured in Confessions of a Horror Baby: The Stay Awake (2010)

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          FAQ14

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          Details

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          • Release date
            • November 24, 1988 (South Africa)
          • Country of origin
            • South Africa
          • Language
            • English
          • Also known as
            • Stay Awake - Nacht des Grauens
          • Filming locations
            • South Africa
          • Production company
            • Heyns Film & Television Productions
          • See more company credits at IMDbPro

          Tech specs

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          • Runtime
            • 1h 25m(85 min)
          • Color
            • Color

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