Nate Deen knows the power of a helping hand. While a student at Garden Spot High School, teacher and theater director Stan Deen reached out to Nate, then Nate Busko, who was in crisis.

Before Stan Deen died in 2016, he got to hear an earlier version of the screenplay of their story. “He loved it,” Nate Deen ...

Stan Deen, left, and his surrogate son, Nate Deen, right. Nate Deen has recently founded the Stan Deen Foundation with the goal of helping the nation’s troubled youth, much like how Stan helped him.

Nate, portrayed by Nicholas Hamilton, and Stan Deen, portrayed by Jared Harris, in the film “Brave the Dark,” releasing in theaters on Jan. 24. (Photo Credit: Angel Studios) ...

How Nate Deen began the project Nate Deen said that, about 11 years ago, Stan Deen encouraged him to write down his life story, which started with a traumatic childhood.

However, as Deen tries to get to know Williams, their relationship is tested throughout the film. “You know Nate’s past and struggling to trust adults," Dienner said.