Ben Stillerburst onto the scene as a director and star three decades ago with the ’90s classic,Reality Bites. Considered one ofthe quintessential Gen X films, Stiller stars alongside Ethan Hawke, Winona Ryder, and Janeane Garofalo inReality Bites, a Hollywood satire about a messed-up love triangle. The film launched a directorial career that continues to this day — we’re especially excited aboutthe second season ofSeverancenext year, a show that Stiller directs. While discussing his latest starring role in the David Gordon Green filmNutcrackers, a throwback to cinematic eras of yore in its own right, Stiller discussed the possibility of moreReality Bites(Realities Bite? Reality Chews?) and how he feels about the whole thing:
It has come up. I don’t have a desire to do that, because I feel like that movie was so of a time, you know?
Nonetheless, Stiller maintains a grateful outlook on the film for how it launched aspects of his career, and he doesn’t shirk or ignore the fact that audiences truly love going back to the classics:
“I mean, it’s interesting because, like, I just did a little thing on Happy Gilmore too, which is years later, and it’s fun to revisit characters and people you’ve worked with. I feel so fortunate that I’m still around doing what I love doing. That movie was the first movie I ever directed… It could be revisited, but it would be a whole different thing. And I think that movie, what I love about it is it’s of its time and where we were at that moment in time.”
So…. you’re saying there’s a chance?
Reality Bites
‘Nutcrackers’: “The World Needs a Movie Like This Right Now”
InNutcrackers, Stiller stars as an overworked and very independent businessman who is thrust into the role of a caregiver on a rural farm. After the tragic death of his sister and her husband, Stiller’s character heads to their home on a farm to watch over their four unruly kids (played by the four Janson brothers — Arlo, Homer, Ulysses, and Atlas). His role inNutcrackersis his first lead film performance in quite a few years, but his attraction toNutcrackerswas multifaceted:
“What excited me about doing [Nutcrackers] was to work with David and these guys [the Janson brothers], because he had intentionally wanted to do something that had this energy, this rawness, and this kind of independent feel to it. They’d never acted before. I knew we were going to improv a lot. I knew that we were shooting at their house and in their space and there was going to be animals and there was going to be chaos.”
How David Gordon Green Combined a Real Story with 1980s Classics for ‘Nutcrackers’
David Gordon Green discusses the ’80s classics he pays tribute to with Nutcrackers, the story behind the film, and casting Ben Stiller.
“It was really fun to just feel that looseness on the set, and [David Gordon Green] really encouraged that,” continued Stiller.Nutcrackersbuilds on the Janson brothers' joyful yet chaotic reality set against Stiller’s straight-man bit, with his strong background in all manner of comedy and improvisation on full display. It also packs a nostalgic punch in its embrace of the kind of movie Stiller grew up on, but is seen in theaters and streamers less and less these days:
“I’m a little older than David [Gordon Green], but you know, the era that we grew up in, and movies from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s sometimes had a lot less cynicism, a lot more emotion, but a little edgier, though, in terms of how the characters are portrayed. You know, everybody’s not the most likable. And I think David really wanted to dig into it.”
“To tell you the truth, when I first read the script, I had that reaction,” added Stiller. I was like, ‘Whoa, are you trying to comment on this in some way?’ No, he just wanted to do this for real. And I love these kids, and I think the world needs a movie like this right now. And that was the idea behind it." Stiller is right —Nutcrackershas the potential to take audiences back to a heartwarming and comfortable but no less honest type of cinematic experience.Nutcrackersis on Hulu and Disney+ starting Jul 07, 2025. Watch it through the link below:
Watch Nutcrackers
Nutcrackers
Nutcrackers is a family drama film by director David Gordon Green and stars Ben Stiller as Mike, who, after his siblings pass away in a tragic car accident, heads to the heart of Ohio to care for his nephews in the aftermath. Though initially hesitant, Mike realizes they may be the family he’s always needed.
