Year: 1992
Runtime: 88 min
Language: English
Director: Peter Hyams
An overworked salesman, Roy Knable, seeks refuge in his television shows, only to accidentally unleash Hellvision, a disturbing alternate reality where TV programming becomes a form of torment. Joined by his wife, Helen, Roy must endure a harrowing 24-hour ordeal filled with bizarre parodies and warped television shows in order to escape back to the real world and survive this bizarre nightmare.
Get a spoiler-free look at Stay Tuned (1992) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.
In a suburban world where the glow of the television sets the rhythm of daily life, Roy Knable drifts through his days as a disenchanted salesman, finding comfort in the endless stream of sitcoms and commercials that wash over his living room. His marriage to Helen, a diligent career woman, has grown quiet and strained, a silent gap widened by his habitual retreat into the screen’s bright illusion. The couple’s routine is broken when a seemingly harmless upgrade to their home entertainment system pulls them beyond the familiar channels and into an unsettling, alternate broadcast known only as Hellvision.
Hellvision is a surreal landscape where the conventions of television are twisted into something both familiar and eerily alien. The atmosphere blends neon‑lit absurdity with a darker, almost gothic edge, turning the ordinary formats of sitcoms, game shows, and dramas into a series of perplexing, nightmarish parodies. Within this distorted media realm, the rules of reality shift with every channel change, leaving Roy and Helen to navigate a world where every familiar genre becomes a puzzle to decipher and survive.
As the couple moves deeper into this chaotic broadcast, the experience forces them to confront the very habits that once offered them solace. Roy’s tendency to hide behind the TV’s glow is challenged by Helen’s growing resolve to reclaim the life they let slip away. Their partnership is tested and reshaped amid the bizarre, ever‑changing scenery, hinting at whether they can rediscover connection and purpose beyond the flickering screen. The film balances sharp satire with a visually inventive style, promising a darkly comic journey that questions how far one will go when reality itself is turned into an endless program.
Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 13:35
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Characters thrown into absurd parodies of TV, movies, or games for survival.If you enjoyed the wild TV parody ride of Stay Tuned, you'll love these movies. This section features films where characters get trapped inside satirical versions of television, video games, or other media, leading to frantic, humorous battles for survival.
Stories typically begin with a character's over-familiarity or addiction to a form of media, which then becomes a literal trap. The narrative is a linear escape plot, moving quickly through a series of exaggerated and warped genre parodies that test the protagonist's wit and resolve, often leading to personal growth or reconciliation.
These movies are grouped by their shared premise of a satirical media landscape as the primary setting and source of conflict. They blend fast-paced adventure with comedic commentary on entertainment culture, creating a uniquely chaotic and playful vibe.
A husband and wife team up in a fantastical crisis to save their relationship.Fans of Stay Tuned will appreciate these movies featuring a married couple battling bizarre odds. These films combine survival action with lighthearted humor, focusing on how a shared adventure can strengthen a relationship and lead to a happy ending.
The narrative follows a couple, often experiencing marital strain, who are thrust into an unexpected survival scenario. The plot uses the high-stakes environment as a catalyst for character development, forcing teamwork and communication that ultimately resolves their personal conflict by the story's end.
This thread connects movies that share a specific character dynamic: a central couple using a comedic, high-stakes adventure as a means of relationship repair. The blend of light emotional weight, playful tension, and a positive ending creates a distinct feel-good adventure vibe.
Don't stop at just watching — explore Stay Tuned in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Stay Tuned is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Read a complete plot summary of Stay Tuned, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.
Track the full timeline of Stay Tuned with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Stay Tuned. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Stay Tuned: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
Discover movies like Stay Tuned that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
Stay Tuned (1992) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
Stay Tuned (1992) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Stay Tuned (1992) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow
Movies Like Stay Tuned – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
Reality (2015) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Escape from Tomorrow (2013) Full Movie Breakdown
Stay Alive (2006) Movie Recap & Themes
Stuck on You (2003) Movie Recap & Themes
Hell and Back (2015) Full Movie Breakdown
Saturday the 14th (1981) Full Summary & Key Details
I Saw the TV Glow (2024) Film Overview & Timeline
Krazy House (2024) Film Overview & Timeline
Terror Toons 3 (2015) Story Summary & Characters
DeadTectives (2018) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
TerrorVision (1986) Movie Recap & Themes
Recorded Live (1975) Full Summary & Key Details
Evil Toons (1992) Full Summary & Key Details
Trapped by Television (1936) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
The Twonky (1953) Full Movie Breakdown