The question is can we ever undo the harms of the past with love, safety and education? A boy soldier from Eritrea transplanted to an American family full of good intention and absolute love! That his teacher (Octavia Spencer) is perceptive and can see clearly the trouble brewing underneath and attempts to shed light on the possibility….becomes her undoing as the character Luce quickly unravels his counterpoint defense. Much like a skilled soldier in battle, he discovers her weaknesses and exploits them.
Knowing his adoptive mother loves him absolutely and refuses to know what she knows, he manipulates that love as well. A cleverly woven tale of who is has a really twisted version of reality and makes you question your own biases. When you stop a story frame by frame to try to uncover your own truth….this is a well written tale.