Ben Stiller's New Comedy With 35% Rotten Tomatoes Score Sets Streaming Release Date

Ben Stiller is one of the most defining names in the comedy genre, but he has spent his final years directing and producing other films. After a serious break from acting, the actor is back in the comedy genre with a new film.

According to Deadline, his latest film will be available to stream soon. nutcracker premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival last month and will head to Hulu on November 29, 2024just in time for Christmas. The family comedy will also be available to international viewers on Disney+ on the same day.

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After its world premiere at TIFF, Hulu reportedly shelled out an eight-figure sum for the rights to stream the film. Starring Ben Stiller in his first role in seven years, the film also stars Linda Cardellini, Edi Patterson, Tim Heidecker and Toby Hussles. HalloweenDirected by David Gordon Green from a screenplay by Leland Douglas. Rob Paris and Mike Witherill of Rivulet and Nate Meyer of Rough House served as producers.

nutcracker follows Stiller's character Michael “Mike” Maxwell, an urban workaholic who is forced to move to rural Ohio to care for his nephew after the sudden death of his sister. To his surprise, his sister's children are talented ballet dancers, giving him the opportunity to harness their endless energy. He was originally supposed to stay in Ohio for a short time to place them in foster care, but Mike realizes he's exactly where he's supposed to be.

Newcomers Homer, Ulysses, Atlas and Arlo Janson, who are real-life siblings, play Stiller's nephew. Director Green is a long-time friend of the young actors' mother and has made a film about her life. They also filmed on location at the siblings' farm in Ohio.

Nutcrackers elicited mixed reactions

Ben Stiller has a long list of successful comedies, including the one from 2001 Zoolander and its less successful sequel, 2008 Tropical thunderand the Night at the museum Series. However, the actor slowly shifted his focus to other entertainment outlets. In a recent interview, he told Variety that he hadn't planned for such a long break. “I never thought I would take so much time for acting,“Ben admitted, noting, “It wasn’t intentional; It was just the way things turned out.

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However, the Hollywood strikes of 2023 led to his joining nutcrackeras production on his other jobs was delayed. “This film took place in an area where it was literally the only time I could have shot it“Stiller remarked. “A few months later and I wouldn’t have been able to do it.”

The film received a mixed reception at TIFF. Audiences seemed to enjoy the family comedy, which is perfect for the Christmas season. However, critics weren't as impressed. nutcracker currently has an undesirable Rotten Tomatoes score with a 35% approval rating from 23 reviews. The number could fluctuate as more reviews come in after the streaming premiere, but the number is not encouraging. However, because the film is premiering at the right time – right around Christmas – it has a good chance of attracting many viewers to Hulu for a family night out.

nutcracker will be available internationally on Hulu and Disney+ on November 29th.

Source: Deadline