Stand By Me: More than just a 'coming of age?

Okay, so I watched Stand By Me again last night. I know, I know, not exactly spaceships and lasers, right? But hear me out! While it's definitely a coming-of-age story, and a pretty darn good one, I think there's some seriously good world-building going on, even if it's subtle. Specifically, the way they establish Castle Rock, Maine, as this isolated, kinda messed-up place shapes EVERYTHING. It’s not just some generic small town. You feel the weight of poverty on those families, especially with Chris Chambers and his reputation (unfair, but still). And the way the adult world basically fails these kids. Gordie's parents grieving his brother, Teddy's dad being a legit psycho... it all adds up to a world where these four boys only have each other. Thinking about it, that junk yard scene isn't just scary, it shows Ace Merrill and his goons own that corner of Castle Rock. They're like mini-bosses in a RPG, guarding their territory. And that's all so intrinsic to the plot itself. I mean, think about it: If they grew up in a different environment, with better role models or, heck even if the adults around them gave a DAMN, would they even need to go on this crazy adventure? Their whole journey hinges on the brokenness of their world and how the narrative changes the character arcs. The train scene also hits different every time I watch it. Gordie almost dying and the others saving him really pushes home the theme of friendship and shared experience. Anyway, just my two cents. Maybe I'm digging too dep, but the movie feels so much richer than just "four boys find a dead body." What do you guys think? Is Castle Rock basically a sci-fi world in disguise, or am I just projecting my genre obsession onto everything? :P