REVIEW: Brave The Dark | 2025 Movie

"solid, moving, but not ground-breaking."

Based on a true story, Brave the Dark leans into the inspirational teacher drama - but thankfully, it’s carried by strong performances rather than just clichés.

Jared Harris shines as Stan, a teacher who sees potential in troubled teen Nate (Nicholas Hamilton). Harris brings real heart without making Stan feel too saintly, and Hamilton gives Nate just the right mix of anger, vulnerability, and quiet desperation to keep you rooting for him.

The film works best when it digs into Nate’s trauma and shows the risks Stan takes to help him. There are genuinely moving moments, and the 80s small-town backdrop adds texture. But it also plays it safe - some beats are predictable, and a few emotional punches feel like they’re telegraphed from a mile off. At times, it slides into “Hallmark movie with grit” territory.

Verdict: Heartfelt and well-acted, if a little too tidy. You’ll feel for the characters, even if the story treads familiar ground.

⭐⭐⭐

BRAVE THE DARK will be available on Digital Platforms from 15th September.

FILM DETAILS

• Digital Release: 15th September 2025

• TL;DR: When Mr. Deen (Harris) discovers one of his students (Hamilton) has been living out of his car and thrown into jail, he decides to bail him out. Determined to curb Nate’s self-destructive behaviour, Mr. Deen quickly discovers a host of dark secrets that are slowly tearing Nate apart. What started as a good deed becomes a desperate fight to save Nate from his own demons. As Nate spirals deeper into despair, Mr. Deen must decide how far he’s willing to go to save a kid on the brink of losing everything - even himself.

• Director: Damian Harris

• Cast: Jared Harris, Tobias Segal, Nicholas Hamilton

• Genres: Drama

• Run time: 112 Minutes

• Cert: 15