Crossword Genius

Help offered by bachelor in a sci-fi film (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

abet

'help' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'bachelor in a sci-fi film' is the wordplay.
'bachelor' becomes 'B' (abbreviation e.g. BA=Bachelor of Arts).
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'sci-fi film' becomes 'et' (E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial).
'a'+'et'='aet'
'b' inserted inside 'aet' is 'ABET'.

'offered by' is the link.

(Other definitions for abet that I've seen before include "Assist illegally" , "Assist in some nefarious activity" , "Encourage or assist (someone) to commit crime" , "Assist (a criminal)" , "Assist (in wrongdoing)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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