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IMDbPro

Brave the Dark

  • 2023
  • PG-13
  • 1h 52m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
1.6K
YOUR RATING
Jared Harris and Nicholas Hamilton in Brave the Dark (2023)
Homeless teen, Nate, struggles to find the courage to confront the darkness of his past. When a popular drama teacher takes on the troubled kid, he's not quite prepared for the journey he's undertaking, nor the dark secrets Nate is hiding.
Play trailer2:19
6 Videos
21 Photos
Coming-of-AgePsychological DramaDrama

Haunted by torturous childhood memories, Nate Williams finds himself engulfed in darkness. When his drama teacher, Mr. Deen bails him out of jail and takes him in, Nate must confront his pas... Read allHaunted by torturous childhood memories, Nate Williams finds himself engulfed in darkness. When his drama teacher, Mr. Deen bails him out of jail and takes him in, Nate must confront his past before it leads to his own destruction.Haunted by torturous childhood memories, Nate Williams finds himself engulfed in darkness. When his drama teacher, Mr. Deen bails him out of jail and takes him in, Nate must confront his past before it leads to his own destruction.

  • Director
    • Damian Harris
  • Writers
    • Dale G. Bradley
    • Lynn Robertson Hay
    • Nathaniel Deen
  • Stars
    • Jared Harris
    • Nicholas Hamilton
    • Will Price
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.5/10
    1.6K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Damian Harris
    • Writers
      • Dale G. Bradley
      • Lynn Robertson Hay
      • Nathaniel Deen
    • Stars
      • Jared Harris
      • Nicholas Hamilton
      • Will Price
    • 142User reviews
    • 33Critic reviews
    • 56Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win total

    Videos6

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:19
    Official Trailer
    Brave the Dark
    Trailer 1:06
    Brave the Dark
    Brave the Dark
    Trailer 1:06
    Brave the Dark
    Brave the Dark
    Trailer 2:25
    Brave the Dark
    Brave the Dark
    Trailer 2:18
    Brave the Dark
    Brave The Dark | Official Trailer 2 | In Theaters Jan 24 | Angel Studios
    Trailer 2:25
    Brave The Dark | Official Trailer 2 | In Theaters Jan 24 | Angel Studios
    Brave the Dark Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:18
    Brave the Dark Official Trailer

    Photos20

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    Top Cast86

    Edit
    Jared Harris
    Jared Harris
    • Stan Deen
    Nicholas Hamilton
    Nicholas Hamilton
    • Nathan Williams
    Will Price
    Will Price
    • Johnny Alecco
    Martin Jarvis
    Martin Jarvis
    • Henry V
    • (voice)
    Rachel Poletick
    Rachel Poletick
    • Terry
    Jamie Harris
    Jamie Harris
    • Barney
    Evyn Flanders
    • Orphan
    Pat DeFusco
    Pat DeFusco
    • Principal Larson
    Johnath Davis
    Johnath Davis
    • Officer Smits
    Searra Sawka
    Searra Sawka
    • Rona
    Tobias Segal
    Tobias Segal
    • Nate's Father…
    Sasha Bhasin
    Sasha Bhasin
    • Tina Baxter
    Kimberly S. Fairbanks
    Kimberly S. Fairbanks
    • Deborah May
    Carol Florence
    • Nanny Cole
    Cole Tristan Murphy
    Cole Tristan Murphy
    • Noah
    Kathy Patterson
    Kathy Patterson
    • Older Woman
    Shannon Destiny Ryan
    Shannon Destiny Ryan
    • Young Woman Annabel
    Phillip Chorba
    Phillip Chorba
    • Tom Friedman
    • Director
      • Damian Harris
    • Writers
      • Dale G. Bradley
      • Lynn Robertson Hay
      • Nathaniel Deen
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews142

    6.51.5K
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    Featured reviews

    6markchavez-59825

    Good movie

    Good watch.. Acting was fine.. Great story..it's worth a watch but not a must see.

    Felt I needed to post a review because (at the time of this review) the film is currently rated at an 8.5. This is not a classic by any means. The story was fantastic and relatable to most, the main educator in the film, was the highlight of the show. The protagonist teen was fair (not a nominee for any awards). There were scenes of high emotion so be prepared. On another note, the grandparents were necessary to the story but it was hard to understand their thought processes. Oh, and there are some minor twists. Based on a true story.
    7bishopsheehan

    It is easy to profess that we are each a Child of God, but quite another to treat others in that manner.

    A bold reminder that we don't know the road that many of the people we think we know have travelled and how those experiences have shaped their lives, for good or for bad. It forces one to consider the question: Do I have what it takes to be a Mr. Deen? While the performances were okay, the story trumped any deficiencies in that area. It was also notable how music was shown to be liberating for the lead characters. I hope the messages from this film will reside in the back of my mind and help me seek a clearer picture when assessing a person's character and worth. It is easy to profess that we are each a Child of God, but quite another to treat others in that manner.
    9mjsia

    Attention all teachers and mentors!!

    Just watched this movie. If you have ever been or are a mentor, or a foster parent or adopted this movie will inspire, encourage and draw emotions of the journey. If you are a teacher this movie is for you. Yes there is some swearing, but not excessive. I have live the life of Mr Dean many a time through my life. It is humbling seeing what God has done. This movie is not churchy but there are signs of faith throughout. I encourage you to see it. INVITE TEACHERS, MENTORS, and those that work with troubled teens. It is refreshing, hopeful, encouraging. The actors did a great job. I am sure they were moved making it.
    9brymullen

    Brave The Dark very moving

    Wonderful film with a fine script and terrific acting.

    The lead actor - the teacher whom I remember from Mad Men - is great in this role as the supportive and optimistic foil for the boy in need.

    The boy who shares a dark secret is effective and believable as a tortured soul who needs a break

    That it's a true story makes it all the more powerful

    The writing - dialogue and character development - is strong and the message is clear.

    It's not often that a film will teach the moviegoer valuable lessons on how we need to support others in need. Showing you care and helping a stranger overcome obstacles can have a long lasting effect.
    10jeffreymaeker

    Heartwarming

    Excellent story of unconditional love, for a young man who needed guidance and someone who truly cared about him with no strings. We all know someone like the main character. Hopefully many of us would go out of our way to help someone who could use our help. Before judging someone because of what you've heard or their actions remember you don't know what's going on in that person's life it may have caused them to react in that way, we must be understanding and loving. Treating people with respect and showing them, they have worth is very important, especially in the dark days we are living in.

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    Related interests

    Elsie Fisher in Eighth Grade (2018)
    Coming-of-Age
    Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
    Psychological Drama
    Naomie Harris, Mahershala Ali, Janelle Monáe, André Holland, Herman Caheej McGloun, Edson Jean, Alex R. Hibbert, and Tanisha Cidel in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The film took 11 years to be made and released with 2 of those years waiting to find a distributor after it's premiere at Cannes in 2023.
    • Quotes

      Stan Deen: At Garden Spot, we like to think of all of our students as family.

    • Connections
      Referenced in The Covenant Eyes Podcast: Brave the Dark Movie with the Real Life Nathaniel Deen (2025)

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    FAQ19

    • How long is Brave the Dark?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 27, 2025 (Brazil)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Apple TV Store (MENA Official)
      • Makeflims
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Profesor Stanley Deen
    • Filming locations
      • Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA(2021)
    • Production companies
      • Inspiring Films
      • Make Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $4,525,443
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $2,288,135
      • Jan 26, 2025
    • Gross worldwide
      • $4,529,925
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 52m(112 min)
    • Color
      • Color

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