Eminem's new documentary, "Stans," offers a raw, immersive look at the rapper's most devoted fans and the intense culture that has grown around his music.

The film opens with the Oxford Dictionary definition of "stan," the term coined from Eminem's 2000 hit of the same name to describe an obsessive fan. Director Steven Leckart and producers Paul Rosenberg and Tony DiSanto turn the camera away from the artist to let superfans narrate the story of Eminem's rise and impact.

"Stans" premiered at SXSW London earlier this year and begins its limited theatrical run at more than 135 AMC locations worldwide on August 7. The one-weekend-only engagement in the U.S. underscores the celebratory yet fleeting nature of fandom itself. Audiences witness stylized reenactments, rare archival footage from Eminem's early Detroit rap battles, and intimate interviews with 20 superfans selected from over 9,000 submissions.

Among those featured is a trans fan who legally adopted Marshall as a first name in homage to Marshall Mathers, and Nikki, who holds the Guinness World Record for most tattoos by a single artist. The documentary follows these fans on personal pilgrimages, from traveling across continents to inked portraits of Eminem on their bodies. Their stories reveal how his lyrics about family, addiction, and resilience have provided solace, purpose, and a sense of community.

While "Stans" acknowledges the darker side of parasocial relationships, citing unsettling fan letters demanding contact, it deliberately emphasizes healthy fandom as a source of creative empathy and mental well-being. Eminem himself appears on camera, expressing both gratitude and discomfort about fans visiting his former childhood home, now demolished, remarking, "It's cool that people care, but it's weird because it's me."

The film also follows Eminem's career chronologically through fan recollections: from early mixtapes captured by Dr. Dre, to the Oscar-winning "8 Mile," and the introspective albums Recovery and Music to Be Murdered By. Commentary from collaborators such as Dr. Dre and Ed Sheeran highlights how his candid exploration of personal struggles has influenced a generation of artists and fostered a culture of vulnerability in hip-hop.

By centering the voices of fans rather than critics, "Stans" creates a collective portrait of devotion and identity formation. It refrains from a climactic fan-meets-idol moment, preserving Eminem's mystique while inviting reflection on the complex bonds between artist and audience. As the documentary ends, viewers are left with a deeper understanding of how music can shape lives and how, in return, fans can illuminate the profound humanity behind a global superstar.

Tags
Eminem, Rapper, Documentary, Fans