Nutcrackers is a 2024 American comedy drama film directed by David Gordon Green, written by Leland Douglas, and starring Ben Stiller.

Nutcrackers
Release poster
Directed byDavid Gordon Green
Written byLeland Douglas
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyMichael Simmonds
Edited byColin Patton
Music byAaron M. Fernandez Olson
Production
companies
Distributed byHulu
Release dates
  • September 5, 2024 (2024-09-05) (TIFF)
  • November 29, 2024 (2024-11-29) (United States)
Running time
104 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The film premiered as the opening film of the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.[1] It received generally mixed reviews from film critics.

Premise

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A workaholic, Mike (Stiller) has to travel to rural Ohio to look after his recently orphaned nephews.[2]

Cast

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Production

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"This movie is a lot of things. It's a comedy, it's a drama, it's a horror movie. But for me, it's a reason to dance, you know, I just wanted to start moving, move my body a little bit, and get out to the farm and kick some pig shit."

—David Gordon Green[3]

Written by Leland Douglas and developed by Rough House Pictures, the film is directed by David Gordon Green. Ben Stiller is producing the film through Red Hour Films. Also producing are John Lesher for Red Hour Films and Rivulet Media's Rob Paris and Mike Witherill, and Rough House’s Nate Meyer. Green is shooting the film on 35 mm film.[4]

Ben Stiller was revealed to be leading the cast in December 2023, his first lead film role in six years.[5] In January 2024, Linda Cardellini, Edi Patterson, Tim Heidecker and Toby Huss joined the cast.[6] Principal photography began in Wilmington, Ohio in late 2023 and wrapped around January 2024 outside Cincinnati.[7]

Release

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Nutcrackers premiered as the opening film at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival on September 5, 2024. A few days later, Hulu was said to be in final talks to acquire distribution rights to the film in an eight-figure deal for a Christmas release.[8] The film is scheduled to be released on Hulu and on Disney+ internationally on November 29, 2024.[9]

Reception

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On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 35% of 23 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 4.5/10.[10] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 53 out of 100, based on nine critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[11]

References

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  1. ^ Etan Vlessing, "Ben Stiller’s ‘Nutcrackers’ to Open Toronto Film Festival". The Hollywood Reporter, July 16, 2024.
  2. ^ White, James (December 20, 2023). "Ben Stiller Starring In David Gordon Green's New Comedy Drama Nutcrackers". Empire. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  3. ^ "David Gordon Green Says Luca Guadagnino Is the Whole Reason 'Nutcrackers' Happened". IndieWire. September 6, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  4. ^ Grobar, Matt (December 20, 2023). "Ben Stiller To Star In 'Nutcrackers' For David Gordon Green, Will Also Produce Through Red Hour". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  5. ^ Zinski, Dan (December 20, 2023). "Ben Stiller Returning To Acting After 6-Year Hiatus With Comedy From Blumhouse's Exorcist Sequel Director". Screen Rant. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  6. ^ Lang, Brent (January 31, 2024). "Linda Cardellini, Edi Patterson, Tim Heidecker, Toby Huss Starring With Ben Stiller in David Gordon Green's 'Nutcrackers' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  7. ^ London, Rob (December 20, 2023). "Ben Stiller Is Finally Leading a Movie Again!". Collider. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  8. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr (September 12, 2024). "Toronto Film Festival Opener 'Nutcrackers' Selling To Hulu In 8-Figure Deal". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  9. ^ Hipes, Patrick (October 17, 2024). "Hulu Sets Release Date For Ben Stiller Comedy 'Nutcrackers' After Toronto Film Festival Pickup". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  10. ^ "Nutcrackers". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  11. ^ "Nutcrackers". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
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