Half Nelson
A gifted but crack-addicted Brooklyn teacher forms an uneasy bond with a troubled thirteen-year-old student who recognizes his fragility.
Overview
A troubled teacher finds unexpected connection with a student facing her own struggles.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- naturalistic
- bleak
- compassionate
- quiet evening
- serious film night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a subtle, searingly realistic social drama elevated by Ryan Gosling, Shareeka Epps, and Anthony Mackie's performances.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Drey's family instability, her brother's incarceration, and the Brooklyn school environment constrain her choices alongside Dan's addiction.
Dan and Drey become connected through reciprocal recognition of their unstable lives, making their friendship both supportive and inappropriate.
Dan's crack use, resistance to rehabilitation, and uncertain personal trajectory are treated with ambiguity rather than a neatly completed redemption narrative.
The film follows Dan and Drey through classrooms, locker rooms, streets, and domestic spaces with a grounded focus on behavior and atmosphere.
Films like Half Nelson, and why
The Woodsman
shared naturalistic social drama, troubled teacher protagonist, and emotionally restrained examination of addiction and responsibility
Precious
shared intimate urban realism, damaged adults, and morally complex relationships involving vulnerable young people
Leaving Las Vegas
shared character-driven drama about addiction, fragile connection, and gradual attempts at personal recovery
The Class
shared understated coming-of-age drama, institutional pressure, and a compassionate but complicated mentor relationship
Movie Details
- Director
- Ryan Fleck
- Release Date
- 2006-08-11
- Runtime
- 107 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (997)
Cast
- Ryan Gosling
- Shareeka Epps
- Anthony Mackie
- Jeff Lima
- Monique Gabriela Curnen
- Tina Holmes
- Nathan Corbett
- Tyra Kwao-Vovo
- Rosemary Ledee
- Tristan Mack Wilds
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV
- Rent
- Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Half Nelson about?
- A gifted but crack-addicted Brooklyn teacher forms an uneasy bond with a troubled thirteen-year-old student who recognizes his fragility.
- What is Half Nelson like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Half Nelson as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Half Nelson violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Half Nelson as mild.
- What did critics think of Half Nelson?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a subtle, searingly realistic social drama elevated by Ryan Gosling, Shareeka Epps, and Anthony Mackie's performances.
- Which films are like Half Nelson?
- Films with a similar feel include The Woodsman, Precious, Leaving Las Vegas, and The Class.
- How long is Half Nelson?
- Half Nelson runs 107 minutes.
- Where can I watch Half Nelson?
- In United States, Half Nelson streams on fuboTV.
