Lewis Ian Bray as Ryan in “Ryan Can’t Read.”
“Ryan Can’t Read” is a depressing 2025 Oscar-eligible short that tells the story of Ryan, who, as the title suggests, is illiterate. Since there are estimated to be at least 8 million others in the United Kingdom who cannot read, Ryan is not alone. Lewis Ian Bray plays Ryan. Lewis is “neurodivergent” in real life. Another way of categorizing the neurodivergent is to say that they are “on the spectrum.” For nearly 40 years of my life I worked with students who were autistic or on the spectrum in a variety of ways, including ADD and ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder with or without Hyperactivity), dyslexia, and many other ailments. For several years we were the only entity in a community of half a million residents qualified to work with patients with traumatic brain injury, so this touching and timely short hit close to home.
CAST
Ryan (Lewis Ian-Bray) and his best friend Tyrone (James Nelson-Joyce.)
The production rests on the shoulders of Lewis Ian-Bray portraying Ryan and James Nelson-Joyce as his best friend Tyrone. Rhys Chapman directed the short and co-wrote it. Chapman is known for “Wonderkid” and Sir Ian McKellen assisted him in getting this short made. James Nelson-Joyce has appeared in “The Outlaws” with Stephen Merchant and Christopher Walken and in “Time” with Sean Bean and Stephen Graham. He is also set to appear in next season’s “Black Mirror” and in Disney’s “One Thousand Blows.” However, it is Lewis Ian Bray who embodies the title character, who is struggling with daily life because of his disability. Lewis Ian-Bray also co-wrote the film and was awarded the Best Actor award for his performance at the Tokyo Short Shorts Festival.
PLOT
The 19 minute 35 second story takes Ryan through the trying hurdles that anyone would face if unable to read, including an interview for a job and a frustrating and futile attempt to read his own mail. The city is Liverpool; there is a reference to eating scouse. Scouse is a type of stew typically made from chunks of meat with potatoes, carrots, and onion. It is particularly associated with the port of Liverpool; hence, the inhabitants of that city are often referred to as “scousers.” The word “scouse” comes from lobscouse, a stew that was commonly eaten by sailors throughout northern Europe in the past.
Ryan and Tyrone in “Ryan Can’t Read.”
Ryan’s friend Tyrone keeps encouraging him to attempt to learn to read and cheers him on throughout the disquieting departure of his mother, who writes to Ryan, saying, “Never stop being yourself. Don’t be scared. I will always be by your side. Don’t think I’m not watching, because I am. I am so proud of you, my son.”
CONCLUSION
“Ryan Can’t Read’s” music is by Bill Ryder-Jones and K.E.E.M. “Don’t Be Scared; I Love You” plays over (and over and over) the end credits. The cinematography by Borja Lopez Diaz captures the frustration of the subject, well-acted by Lewis Ian Bray. Why Ryan finds himself on his own, battling life with only his friend Tyrone encouraging him in person, is left a bit murky. A longer film might have explored Mom’s absence more thoroughly, but this is a short. It focuses on Ryan the non-reader and Lewis Ian-Braye does a fine job in both writing and acting the title role.