file_get_contents() a prod uploaded file? possible?

Even though D7 has been extended to 2025, think it's unrealistic that modules will continue to support also. So closing out old D7 tickets. If anyone feels super strongly about adding to D7 please reopen but the D7 module will be relatively unmanned.

I'm having this exact issue on 2.1.2. I have the following custom code:

$svg_file = file_get_contents($file->getFileUri());

The D10 equivalent of the D7 workaround from above ($file->createFileUrl();) no longer applies, since events have replaced the hook_file_url_alter() implementation. When you run file_get_contents() on a public:// uri, you end up in \Drupal\Core\StreamWrapper\LocalStream::stream_open(), which just calls fopen() and returns false if the file isn't there, without triggering any events. I'm coming up blank trying to think of a production-safe workaround.

(fixing version dropdown)