Brave the Dark (2023)

Predictable is the word for Brave the Dark, which gets where it’s going on a well-worn road. What makes the trip worth taking is Jared Harris. He plays Stan Deen, a teacher in 1980s New Holland, Pennsylvania, who learns his student Nate is homeless, sleeping in a car, and now under arrest. Stan posts bail, takes him in, and makes graduation the goal. Nicholas Hamilton plays Nate as guarded and wary, and the trust between them builds slowly, which is the point. Harris and Hamilton have real chemistry, and their scenes swing between prickly and funny without ever feeling fake. The pace wobbles, and a few supporting performances feel stiff. It’s a family affair: Jared’s brother Damian directs, his brother Jamie plays Nate’s parole officer, and the real Nate Deen is one of the writers. A 6.6 because Harris gives a familiar story real dignity. $8,969 says the next framed diploma you see on someone’s wall gets a much longer look than it used to.

What works: Jared Harris is quietly excellent, and his slow-building bond with Nicholas Hamilton feels credible from start to finish.

What doesn’t: The story follows familiar inspirational beats, the pacing is uneven, and some supporting performances are stiff.

Who it’s for: Teachers, and anyone who loves true stories about one adult refusing to give up on a kid.