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Ben Is Back

Play trailer 2:25 Poster for Ben Is Back R 2019 1h 43m Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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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.
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Ben Is Back

Ben Is Back

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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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Critics Reviews

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Udita Jhunjhunwala The Quint 04/03/2019
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. Go to Full Review Donald Clarke Irish Times 03/20/2019
3/5
A gripping entertainment that gets across worthwhile truths about contemporary strains of an ancient disease. Go to Full Review Mark Kermode Kermode & Mayo's Film Review 03/19/2019
When Julia Roberts is good, she's really good. Go to Full Review Calum Cooper Source (Scotland) 07/14/2024
3/5
The sense of history you can feel between each character is rich and deep rooted. Go to Full Review Dan Sareen Vague Visages 09/21/2023
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. Go to Full Review M.N. Miller Ready Steady Cut 08/17/2022
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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Garrett W @RT89620504 Aug 25 Makes you think how horrible addiction is, has feel good and heart wrenching moments. See more Jimmy J @RT26448855 Aug 15 As a fellow addict this movie is terrible. They took the spiritual side completely out of it. The plot is stupid and the acting is horrible, minus Julia Roberts. They turned a movie that was supposedly about addiction into a stupid action film. See more Troy M. @RT55690225 May 14 I hate how abruptly the movie ended and how most of the plot was them trying to get their dog back. See more Fabio A @RT70885947 Nov 16 Great movie. Julia Roberts is powerfully!! See more Stephanie G @RT66122946 07/15/2025 Powerful. Emotional. Stellar performances from the whole cast. See more Susan G @RT50844103 03/11/2024 Powerful. Well done and tasteful. I hope everyone gets a chance to learn from this story. Bonus: Julia is A1+++ See more Read all reviews
Ben Is Back

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Cast & Crew

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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

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Ben Is Back

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Movie Info

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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