Julia Roberts and Lucas Hedges face the struggle of their lives in trailer for family drama ‘Ben is Back’

“For the next 24 hours you are mine, all mine, got it?”
A son struggling with drug addiction and a mother fighting to keep him alive highlight the dramatic new trailer for Ben is Back starring Academy Award winner Julia Roberts and Academy Award nominee Lucas Hedges.
The film chronicles the turbulent 24 hours as Ben (Hedges) unexpectedly returns home to his family’s suburban home on Christmas Eve morning. Ben’s mother, Holly (Roberts), is relieved and welcoming but wary of her son staying clean. Roberts gets some of her richest looking material in some time, diving into a mother’s undying love for her son is tested as she does everything in her power to keep him safe.
Ben is Back is written and directed by Academy Award nominee Peter Hedges (yes, Lucas’s father) also stars Courtney B. Vance (The People V. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story) and Kathryn Newton (Lady Bird).
The film received its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and will next be seen at the Mill Valley Film Festival on October 12th where Peter Hedges will be in attendance to talk about the film.
Roadside Attractions will release Ben is Back on December 7th.
- 2026 Tribeca Festival Celebrates 25th Anniversary with World Premieres of ‘Hadestown: The Musical,’ ‘Earth, Wind & Fire’ Doc - April 16, 2026
- ‘Beef’ Season 2 Review: Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, Cailee Spaeny and Charles Melton Sink Their Teeth Into Lee Sung Jin’s Meaty Morality Tale [A-] - April 16, 2026
- George Clooney to be Honored at 51st Chaplin Award Gala by Stephen Colbert, Sam Rockwell and More - April 15, 2026

2026 Tonys: Laurie Metcalf (‘Little Bear Ridge Road,’ ‘Death of a Salesman’) May Join Elite Group of Double-Nominated Performers
2026 Tribeca Festival Celebrates 25th Anniversary with World Premieres of ‘Hadestown: The Musical,’ ‘Earth, Wind & Fire’ Doc
Director Watch Podcast Ep. 149 – ‘Killer of Sheep’ (Charles Burnett, 1978)
‘Lee Cronin’s The Mummy’ Review: Careful the Spell You Cast, Children Will Listen (and Sometimes Kill) [C]