Brave the Dark

Brave the Dark
Brave the Dark
	Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Damian Harris
Written by	Dale G. Bradley; Lynn Robertson-Hay; Nathaniel Deen; John P. Spencer; Damian Harris;
Produced by	Grant Bradley; Derek Dienner; Dale G. Bradley;
Starring	Jared Harris; Nicholas Hamilton; Jamie Harris; Sasha Bhasin; Will Edward Price; Kimberly S. Fairbanks;
Cinematography	Julio Macat
Edited by	Toby Yates
Music by	Jacob Yoffee; Roahn Hylton;
Production; companies	Inspiring Films; MAKE/FILMS;
Distributed by	Angel Studios
Release dates	October 6, 2023 (Heartland); January 24, 2025 (United States);
Running time	122 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Brave the Dark is a 2023 American drama film directed by Damian Harris and starring Jared Harris and Nicholas Hamilton. The film premiere took place at the Heartland International Film Festival in October 2023.^[1]

Cast

Jared Harris as Stan Deen, a small-town teacher in 1980s Pennsylvania
Nicholas Hamilton as Nate, a homeless teenager living in his car
Jamie Harris as Barney, Nate's parole officer
Sasha Bhasin as Tina, Nate's girlfriend
Will Price as Johnny, Nate's friend
Daisy Galvis as the judge overseeing Nate's sentencing
Joey Cabrera as Jim Baxter, Tina's Father

Production

Stan Dean was a high school English and Drama teacher of the Garden Spot High School, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania from 1967 until his death in 2016. He founded the Garden Spot Performing Arts (GSPA) in 1967.^[2] Brave the Dark was written by Dale G. Bradley, Lynn Robertson, John P. Spencer, director Damian Harris and Nathaniel "Nate" Deen. Filming locations included the real Garden Spot High School in Lancaster County where Nathaniel Deen attended and Stan Deen taught as well as the house both lived in. Filming took place between late summer and autumn 2021. Climactic scenes were filmed against the Poplar Neck Bridge near Lancaster in October 2021.^[3]

Release

Brave the Dark was released in the United States on January 24, 2025.^[4] Brave the Dark was approved by the Angel Guild, a group of voters who vote on the Angel Studios platform.^[5]

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 68% of 22 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.7/10.^[6]

Awards and nominations

Award	Date	Category	Result	Ref.
Heartland International Film Festival	6 October 2023^[7]	Overall Audience Choice Award	Won	^[8]
Newport Beach Film Festival	13 October 2023^[9]	Best US Film Audience Award	Won	^[10]
San Diego International Film Festival	20 October 2023^[11]	Narrative Competition	Nominated	^[12]

References

^ Suraj (January 24, 2025). "Brave the Dark (2025) Filming Locations". Retrieved January 24, 2025.
^ "Stanley Deen". The MY HERO Project. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
^ Adams, Heather (October 20, 2021). "Climactic Scene Shot at Poplar Neck Bridge for Upcoming Film, Brave the Dark". BCTV. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (September 20, 2024). "Sony Dates TriStar Keke Palmer & SZA R-Rated Comedy For Winter". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
^ Brave the Dark (2025) | Official Website | Angel Studios. Retrieved January 15, 2025 – via www.angel.com.
^ "Brave the Dark". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
^ "HEARTLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL". tickets.heartlandfilmfestival.org. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
^ "32nd Heartland International Film Festival Announces Winners & Presents $60,000 in cash prizes". heartlandfilm.prowly.com. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
^ "NEWPORT BEACH FILM FEST". nbff23.eventive.org. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
^ Trela, Christopher (October 31, 2023). "Newport Beach Film Festival Announces 2023 Award Winners". Newport Beach News. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
^ "@bravethedarkfilm". www.instagram.com. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
^ Cristi, A. A. "San Diego International Film Festival Announces 2023 Slate!". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved November 15, 2023.

External links

Brave the Dark at IMDb

[1] Suraj (January 24, 2025). "Brave the Dark (2025) Filming Locations". Retrieved January 24, 2025.

[2] "Stanley Deen". The MY HERO Project. Retrieved November 17, 2023.

[3] Adams, Heather (October 20, 2021). "Climactic Scene Shot at Poplar Neck Bridge for Upcoming Film, Brave the Dark". BCTV. Retrieved November 17, 2023.

[4] D'Alessandro, Anthony (September 20, 2024). "Sony Dates TriStar Keke Palmer & SZA R-Rated Comedy For Winter". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 20, 2024.

[5] Brave the Dark (2025) | Official Website | Angel Studios. Retrieved January 15, 2025 – via www.angel.com.

[6] "Brave the Dark". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved January 24, 2025.

[7] "HEARTLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL". tickets.heartlandfilmfestival.org. Retrieved November 17, 2023.

[8] "32nd Heartland International Film Festival Announces Winners & Presents $60,000 in cash prizes". heartlandfilm.prowly.com. Retrieved November 15, 2023.

[9] "NEWPORT BEACH FILM FEST". nbff23.eventive.org. Retrieved November 17, 2023.

[10] Trela, Christopher (October 31, 2023). "Newport Beach Film Festival Announces 2023 Award Winners". Newport Beach News. Retrieved November 15, 2023.

[11] "@bravethedarkfilm". www.instagram.com. Retrieved November 17, 2023.

[12] Cristi, A. A. "San Diego International Film Festival Announces 2023 Slate!". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved November 15, 2023.

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