Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Familiar but touching true story has cursing, some violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Brave the Dark
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In BRAVE THE DARK, it's 1986 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Teen Nate Williams (Nicholas Hamilton) goes to Garden Spot High School, where he runs on the track team and has a girlfriend, Tina (Sasha Bhasin). But, unbeknownst to anyone, Nate is unhoused and living in his car. When he's arrested for robbing an electronics shop, his teacher, Stan Deen (Jared Harris), takes an interest in Nate and arranges for Nate's grandparents to bail him out. But the grandparents only want to keep Nate at home and make him work, whereas, in order to stay out of jail, Nate must return to school. So Stan offers to let Nate stay with him, at least until they can figure out something better. At first things seem to go well, and Nate even helps out on the school play, Flowers for Algernon, building sets and taking photos. But things take a dark turn when Tina breaks up with him, opening the floodgates for Nate's childhood trauma, which he's kept bottled up inside.
Is It Any Good?
This is a pretty straightforward, feel-good, based-on-a-true-story drama, but its earnestness and tenderness make it compelling, even inspiring, despite its familiar qualities. Brave the Dark mostly celebrates the real Stan Deen (who died in 2016), who selflessly reached out to another human being and pulled him out of a difficult situation. (Viewers learn at the end that the real Nate, a veteran of the foster system who had changed his last name several times, ultimately adopted "Deen" as his permanent surname.) The movie includes frank discussions about opening up, learning to trust, and asking for help; Nate needs to be convinced that not everyone is looking for something in return for offering support.
While the movie sometimes stretches the edges of credibility, it helps that the two stars are so likable. Veteran Harris gives Stan an uncle-like quality, eating too many eclairs and constantly adjusting his clothes; he's a normal person, not a goody-two-shoes. And, while Hamilton could have made Nate overly angry or bitter, he centers the performance in pain, uncertainty, and charm. In the end, Brave the Dark sends viewers out into the world with the valuable, touching reminder that we don't have to go through the hard stuff alone.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Brave the Dark's violent moments. How did they make you feel? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?
How does the movie demonstrate the importance of compassion?
Why can it be so hard to ask others for help?
How are drug use, drinking, and smoking depicted? Are they glamorized? Are there consequences? Why does that matter?
Do you consider Stan Deen a role model? Why, or why not?
Movie Details
- In theaters : January 24, 2025
- On DVD or streaming : February 12, 2025
- Cast : Jared Harris , Nicholas Hamilton , Sasha Bhasin
- Director : Damian Harris
- Studio : Angel Studios
- Genre : Drama
- Character Strengths : Compassion
- Run time : 112 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : domestic violence/bloody images, suicide, some strong language, teen drinking, drug material and smoking
- Last updated : March 30, 2025
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