19-year-old Ben Burns unexpectedly returns home to his family's suburban home on Christmas Eve morning. Ben's mother, Holly, is relieved and welcoming but wary of her son staying clean. Over a turbulent 24 hours, new truths are revealed, and a mother's undying love for her son is tested as she does everything in her power to keep him safe.
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.
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.
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