Ben Is Back

Ben Is Back is a 2018 drama film written and directed by Peter Hedges, starring Julia Roberts, Lucas Hedges, and Courtney B. Vance.

It had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2018. It is scheduled to be released on December 7, 2018, by Roadside Attractions, Lionsgate and LD Entertainment.

Premise
Ben Burns, in serious trouble, returns home to his family on Christmas Eve.

Cast

 * Julia Roberts as Holly Burns, Ben and Ivy's mother and Neal’s wife
 * Lucas Hedges as Ben Burns
 * Kathryn Newton as Ivy Burns, Ben's sister, Holly's daughter and Neal’s stepdaughter
 * Alexandra Park as Cara K
 * Courtney B. Vance as Neal Burns, Ben and Ivy's stepfather and Holly’s husband
 * Rachel Bay Jones as Beth, the mother of Ben's deceased ex-girlfriend
 * Michael Esper as Clayton, a local drug supplier
 * David Zaldivar as Spencer "Spider" Webb, a drug addict and one of Ben’s old friends.

Production
The project was announced in October 2017, with Lucas Hedges and Julia Roberts set to star. In November, Kathryn Newton was cast as the titular Ben's sister Ivy, and Alexandra Park joined as someone Ben meets during an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. Filming began on December 5, with Courtney B. Vance joining the cast as Ben's stepfather. Filming took place in New City, Sloatsburg, Garnerville, and Haverstraw, New York.

Release
In July 2018, Roadside Attractions, LD Entertainment and Lionsgate acquired distribution rights to the film, and set the film for a December 7, 2018, release. It will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2018.