DAYVEON

As DAYVEON opens, we see the titular character riding his bike through the sleepy streets of rural Arkansas. He’s bored with his surroundings, constantly complaining that “everything is stupid.” It isn’t just boredom that has him so down, though. He recently lost his brother—a tragedy that led his mom to a nervous breakdown. Dayveon was sent to live with his older sister and her husband, who tries hard to be a positive male influence in his life. Unfortunately, the youngster resents this perceived overreach, preferring the company of gang members instead. It’s not hard to see why kids in this town end up on such a path. Things are awfully bleak and hopeless, stricken by abject poverty. There’s nothing inspiring or motivating about it. They find a strange comfort in the crew mentality, giving them purpose and loyal companionship. But after being initiated into the Bloods, Dayveon is about to discover thug life isn’t everything it’s hyped up to be. And camaraderie comes at a cost. DAYVEON ­is a subtle but searing portrait of small town gangs. —E.F.