Ben Is Back

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2:25

Ben Is Back

R,

2019,

1h 43m,

Drama/

Mystery & Thriller

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81%

218 Reviews

Tomatometer

69%

1,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

81%

Tomatometer

218 Reviews

69%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Nineteen-year-old Ben Burns unexpectedly returns to his family's suburban home on Christmas Eve. Ben's mom, Holly, is relieved and welcoming but wary of her son's drug addiction. Over a turbulent 24 hours, new truths are revealed, and a mother's undying love gets put to the test as Holly does everything in her power to keep Ben clean.

Critics Consensus

Refreshingly understated, Ben Is Back subverts family drama stereotypes - and provides a forum for terrific performances from Lucas Hedges and Julia Roberts.

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Udita Jhunjhunwala

The Quint

Apr 3, 2019

3/5

For all its good intentions, Ben Is Back is at most a satisfactory watch, but a remarkable showcase for both Lucas Hedges and Julia Roberts.

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Donald Clarke

Irish Times

Mar 20, 2019

3/5

A gripping entertainment that gets across worthwhile truths about contemporary strains of an ancient disease.

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Mark Kermode

Kermode & Mayo's Film Review

Mar 19, 2019

When Julia Roberts is good, she's really good.

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Calum Cooper

Source (Scotland)

Jul 14, 2024

3/5

The sense of history you can feel between each character is rich and deep rooted.

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Dan Sareen

Vague Visages

Sep 21, 2023

Even if Ben is Back tries a little too hard to ramp up the stakes, the fact remains that Hedges and Roberts’ performances make for an incredibly powerful on-screen relationship.

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M.N. Miller

Ready Steady Cut

Aug 17, 2022

3/5

Hedges’ film never quite reaches Rachel Getting Married-like heights, but the fine first half is worth your time, even if the uneven second half delves into conventional territory.

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Kylo S

Apr 18, 2019

Ben is Back is emotionally driven and heightened by the captivating performances from Lucas Hedges and Julia Roberts. Though, the film had a misleading introductory to how would the story flow, I personally think that the film's empathy overpowers its structure.

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Anakin R

Apr 11, 2019

I hadn't heard much about this at all, nor had I seen a trailer either. So yet another blind watch (my favorite way to do it!) I'm not completely sure how I feel about it overall. I really enjoyed some parts, other parts I put into question about how they were handled. I really felt like Julia Robert's was wasted in this role (she did well with what she was given, but I thought there was much more she could've done if given the chance). Lucas Hedges played the role to a T, it really shined a light on how hard addiction is and how an addict can be. I'm definitely glad I got to see this, I love leaving a film when there's only a few things I'd change!

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Apr 10, 2019

Even stuck on a plane with nothing else to do, this movie was not one I would recommend. Julie Roberts can curse and cry. Ok. It left me wondering what Ben had done so bad before- do we just assume? And the ending. Seriously? No. I want my 2 hours back.

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Luke S

Apr 7, 2019

One of Roberts' best performances.

Hagrid S

Apr 3, 2019

Julia plays the mom desperate and angry to save a son that's an addict.

Poe G

Apr 3, 2019

A riveting film that is painfully accurate, the performances by Julia Roberts and Lucas Hedges are exceptionally powerful.

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Peter Hedges

Director

Julia Roberts

Holly Burns

Lucas Hedges

Ben Burns

Courtney B. Vance

Neal Beeby

Kathryn Newton

Ivy Burns

Rachel Bay Jones

Beth Conyers

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Ben Is Back: Trailer 1

2:25

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Ben is Back: Teaser Trailer 1

0:55

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Synopsis

Nineteen-year-old Ben Burns unexpectedly returns to his family's suburban home on Christmas Eve. Ben's mom, Holly, is relieved and welcoming but wary of her son's drug addiction. Over a turbulent 24 hours, new truths are revealed, and a mother's undying love gets put to the test as Holly does everything in her power to keep Ben clean.

Director: Peter Hedges
Producer: Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Teddy Schwarzman, Peter Hedges
Screenwriter: Peter Hedges
Distributor: Lionsgate Films, Roadside Attractions, LD Entertainment
Production Co: Color Force
Rating: R (Some Drug Use|Language Throughout)
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 11, 2019, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 19, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.7M
Runtime: 1h 43m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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