Ben Is Back

A suburban family's life is upended when their drug-addicted son, Ben, unexpectedly returns home from rehab on Christmas Eve. His mother, Holly, is immediately suspicious, knowing his stay is temporary and that his past issues could jeopardize the family's safety. Over a tumultuous 24 hours, Holly tries to keep Ben clean and protect her family from the dangers that follow him, forcing them to confront painful truths and strained relationships.

Ben Is Back received generally positive reviews, with praise directed at the performances of Julia Roberts and Lucas Hedges, as well as the film's tense and emotional exploration of addiction and family dynamics. Some critics found the narrative occasionally predictable but appreciated its raw honesty and nuanced portrayal of a complex issue.

• Praises for the powerful lead performances, particularly from Julia Roberts and Lucas Hedges.

• Appreciates the film's realistic and empathetic portrayal of addiction and its impact on families.

• Some viewers found the plot somewhat conventional, but acknowledged the emotional weight and tension.

Google audience: Audiences generally responded well to "Ben Is Back," with many highlighting the strong performances and the film's effective portrayal of the struggles associated with addiction. The emotional depth and the compelling mother-son dynamic were frequently cited as strengths, though a portion of viewers felt the story could have taken more unexpected turns.

Lucas Hedges, who plays the titular character Ben, is the son of the film's writer and director, Peter Hedges.