For almost the entirety of Stand By Me (1986), the four main boys spend their time in each other’s company. The notable “deer scene” enters at a time following a powerful moment where Chris (River Phoenix) opens up to his friends about taking the blame for something he didn’t do. The deer scene is a change of pace, as Gordie (Wil Wheaton) is seen relaxing on the train tracks, alone for once, enjoying a comic book. He’s approached by a deer and the two share a moment staring at one another. A smirk of appreciation subtly crosses Gordie’s face.

Gordie is the most appropriate character to share this moment with nature. He’s an imaginative, creative boy. He grows up to be the film’s narrator, and is the most attune to appreciate the subtle beauty of the experience. This is likely the reason why he doesn’t share the encounter with his friends; he knows they’re not the type to appreciate it the way he does.

Stand By Me is a coming-of-age film where four adolescent boys spend the narrative on a hunt for a dead body. The deer sighting is a momentary break that reminds us about the simplistic allure of life. It’s a figure of innocence - just an animal existing in its natural element. The family environments of Gordie and his friends aren’t that great. The deer provides a sense of hope and serves as a reminder that not everything in life is jaded or troublesome.

The crew blared air horns and banged pots and pans to get the deer to look at Gordie and then to run away into the woods.