BeforeNutcrackerspremieres at the Toronto Film Festival,Ben Stilleraddresses it as being his first leading movie role in seven years. Directed by David Gordon Green, the movie,which also stars Linda Cardellini,features the work-obsessed real estate developer, Mike (Stiller), having to go to rural Ohio to care for his nephews following the deaths of their parents. The 2017 filmBrad’s Statusmarks the last time Stiller had a leading film role, as he has spent the last seven years more so involved in a behind-the-scenes role for Apple TV+‘sSeveranceand other projects.
While speaking withVariety,Stiller clarified that he did not intend to take this seven-year hiatus, but that it occurred due to numerous factors. One of the main factors was production stalling onSeveranceseason 2 during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes.Nutcrackersreceived a waiver to film during the strikes because it was not produced and financed within the studio system, which worked with Stiller’s schedule. Check out the rest of Stiller’s explanation below:
I never thought I’d take this much time away from acting. It wasn’t intentional; it was just how things evolved. This movie happened in a zone where it was literally the only time I could have made it. A few months later, and I couldn’t have done it.
Nutcrackers Is An Overdue Return For Stiller
He Has Proven His Ability To Do Comedy And Drama Well
FromZoolandertoTropic Thunder,Stiller has consistently proven to be an excellent comedic actor.Stiller’s underrated 2013 movieThe Secret Life of Walter Mitty told a more ambitious story than many of the previous comedies he had been in, showcasing a different side to the actor’s talents. His work as an actor and director on that film, along with his role as an executive producer and director onSeverance, make hisNutcrackersrole all the more intriguing.
The dynamic between Mike and his troublesome nephews will likely be humorous, but the tragic circumstances that brought them together will be emotional, as the characters wrestle with their grief.
As both a comedy and a drama, Stiller is a compelling choice to leadNutcrackers, having been able to effectively bring both genres to life in his past work. The dynamic between Mike and his troublesome nephews will likely be humorous, but the tragic circumstances that brought them together will be emotional, as the characters wrestle with their grief. After spending more time in recent years behind the camera instead of being in front of it, including preparation forSeveranceseason 2, these experiences can bring a different perspective to Stiller’s multifaceted performance.
Ben Stiller’s 10 Funniest Movie Characters
Ben Stiller’s awkward comedic persona has created plenty of hilarious characters over the years, some of whom have inspired entire franchises.
Much of Stiller’s best work has come when playing off of his talented co-stars, from being in many ofOwen Wilson’s best moviesto starring opposite Cameron Diaz inThere’s Something About Mary. The same should hold while acting alongside Cardellini, whose role as Judy Hale in Netflix’sDead to Meperfectly encapsulates the strengths of her comedic and dramatic acting. All these elements giveNutcrackersa great deal of potential as the next step in Stiller’s increasingly exciting career.
Nutcrackers
Cast
Nutcrackers is a family drama film by director David Gordon Green and starring Ben Stiller. Stiller plays Mike, who, after his siblings pass away in a tragic car accident, heads to the heart of Ohio to care for his nephews in the aftermath. Though initially hesitant, Mike realizes they may be the family he’s always needed.
