Nutcrackers

word of advice ! This clause contains spoilers for Nutcrackers .

The Janson brothers , who play the immature take cast extremity inNutcrackers , played a important function in delineate the film ’s real - life narrative foot . Directed by David Gordon Green , well known for his work in repugnance flicks like 2018’sHalloweenand 2023’sThe Exorcist : Believer , Nutcrackersis another improver to 2024 ’s vacation moving picture roll . With Ben Stiller as its lead , the flick follows the story of a humankind whose life takes an unexpected turn of events when he is coerce to become a primary care provider for his orphaned nephew .

Although theBen Stiller characterinitially struggles to keep up with his rambunctious siblings and feel it laborious to adapt to his new role as a elementary health care provider , he finally grow confiscate to the four immature boy as they , too , become more accepting towards him . Like a distinctive Christmas picture show , Nutcrackerspleases TV audience with relatable familial themes and play . Since many aspects of its narrative feel naturalistic , several viewers may be curious whether it is based on a true story .

Ben Stiller and the Janson brothers in Nutcrackers

Custom Image by Dhruv Sharma.

Nutcrackers Isn’t A True Story, But The Movie Was Inspired By The Real Janson Brothers

The Real Janson Brothers Play Junior, Justice, Samuel, & Simon, Respectively

While many viewers may be able to relate toNutcrackers ' primary charactersand narration beat , the movie ’s plot line is not rooted in realism . However , many aspects of the film were prompt by the real Janson sib , who portray the fundamental Kicklighter brothers in its taradiddle . Homer , Arlo , Ulysses , and Atlas Janson , who play Justice , Simon , Junior , and Samuel , respectively , inNutcrackers , did not have playing experience before they starred alongside Ben Stiller in the movie .

nutcracker , a brand - new Christmas comedy star Ben Stiller , is now streaming on Hulu , and these songs are all featured in the film .

However , as the backstory behind how David Gordon Green cast them for the roles reveals , the director saw something in them that not only encouraged him to cast them in his motion-picture show but also influenced the creative direction he want to take . Many production and behind - the - scenes details fromNutcrackershighlight how Green made the Janson brothers an combat-ready part of the filmmaking process , ensuring that their natural dynamics are reflect on the screen . Even in the other stage ofNutcrackers ' development , the siblings played a key role in shaping the film ’s foundation .

Ben Stiller in Nutcrackers in front of a red background with musical notes

Nutcrackers is a family drama film by director David Gordon Green and starring Ben Stiller. Stiller plays 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.

Why The Janson Brothers Were Cast To Play The Kicklighter Boys In Nutcrackers

Director Green Found Them To Be Perfect For His Film

In an interview ( viaIndieWire ) , David Gordon Green unveil that he first met the Janson brother when he call rural Ohio and met a acquaintance he had not see in college . The friend , Karey Williams , had get together with the managing director on an early movie project before leaving the filmmaking business enterprise and embracing her life as a granger . When he finally meet her and her children after years , he could not facilitate but picture filming a movie on their farm while feature the children as the lower-ranking agonist .

… Nutcrackersis also dedicated to the Janson brothers ' late dog , who passed away during the movie ’s yield but make a abbreviated visual aspect in its early arcs .

With these former seed of ideas , film director Green eventually went on to developNutcrackers , which not only star the Janson brother but also features their mother ’s farm and the many animals go in it . As many viewers may have observe , Nutcrackersis also dedicated to the Janson brothers ' recent dog , who passed away during the movie ’s output but makes a brief show in its early spark . After resolve to have the Janson chum as the cast members of his cinema , Green make out to Ben Stiller and say him how they would be onto " something particular " if they captured the brother ' magnetised personalities with a television camera .

Ben Stiller facing Ulysses Janson, who holds a knife up, while two boys watch in the background in Nutcrackers

How The Janson Brothers' Real Life Influenced Nutcrackers

The Brothers Are All Trained Ballet Dancers

Nutcrackers ' plot of ground is fictional . However , it realistically captures the Janson sidekick ' personalities and their concert dance accomplishment . Green even visited their concert dance schooltime and cast some of their friends for the moving picture . As many sequence inNutcrackersreveal , all four Janson brother are well - civilise ballet dancer , and the oldest crony , Homer , has been training in the dance signifier for close to seven year . Green even asked the middle kid , Ulysses Janson , what his version of the ballet for the pic would be .

nutcracker Key Facts Breakdown

Directed By

Movies

David Gordon Green

Written By

Leland Douglas

Rotten Tomatoes Critics ' sexual conquest

34 %

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score

59 %

lead Time

104 minutes

When 10 - class - old Ulysses answer by address it " The Nutcracker ’s Mustache , " the movie ’s filmmakers could not help but name the product after the creative title . While open up about her experience duringNutcrackers ' motion-picture photography ( viaScreen Rant ) , Linda Cardellini , who wreak Gretchen in theBen Stiller Christmas movie , recalled how " it really felt up like a class . " She added that apart from the Janson comrade , even their female parent , beginner , and grandmother were there duringNutcrackers ' production .

Nutcrackers is a family dramatic play picture by manager David Gordon Green and asterisk Ben Stiller . Stiller plays Mike , who , after his siblings pass away in a tragic car accident , maneuver to the essence of Ohio to care for his nephew in the aftermath . Though ab initio hesitant , Mike realizes they may be the syndicate he ’s always need .