Nutcrackers 2024 Cast & Character Guide

While walking through the comical struggles of a caregiver, Nutcrackers features many memorable character beats captured by a talented roster of actors. Directed by David Gordon Green, Nutcrackers was the opening film at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. While it has received a mixed set of reviews from critics since its premiere and has an underwhelming Rotten Tomatoes score of 32%, many have appreciated it for delivering what it promises: some heart-warming holiday fun.

Nutcrackers does not attempt to set itself apart from other run-of-the-mill holiday movies, which makes it no more memorable than the regular fare of family films that come out at the end of every year. However, despite this, the film seems to have enough heart to keep viewers engaged throughout its runtime. Its ability to entertain can primarily be attributed to the memorable performances of its cast, which includes both new and familiar names.

Ben Stiller as Michael “Mike” Maxwell

Date Of Birth: November 30, 1965

Actor: Born in New York City and raised in Manhattan’s Upper West Side, Ben Stiller was exposed to the world of performing arts from a very young age because his parents, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, were both actors and comedians. Owing to this, Stiller grew interested in filmmaking and started making Super 8 films with his sister, Amy, and friends. He made his acting debut at the age of 9 when he got the opportunity to appear as a guest on his mother’s legal TV series, Kate McShane.

After attending the Calhoun School in New York in 1983, Stiller enrolled at the University of California to study film. However, only after a few months, he dropped out and moved back to New York to pursue acting. After playing several minor theatrical and television roles during his teenage years and expanding his portfolio in the world of comedy, he got his big break when he earned a spot as a writer on Saturday Night Live. In the mid-1990s, even his career as a director and actor started taking off as he starred in many well-known comedy movies.

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Character: In Nutcrackers, Ben Stiller’s character is a workaholic man, Mike, whose world turns upside down when he learns he will have to serve as the primary caregiver for four nephews after his sister and her husband’s death. This completely throws him off-loop as he knows nothing about parenting and also finds himself in a place far away from home. Although he initially finds it hard to adapt to his new lifestyle, he gradually warms up to his nephews and embraces the joys and challenges of family life.

Linda Cardellini as Gretchen

Date Of Birth: June 25, 1975

Actor: Born in Redwood City, California, Linda Edna Cardellini started her acting journey at a young age when she starred in several school productions. To hone her acting abilities, she even pursued a degree in theater arts at the Loyola Marymount University’s College of Communication and Fine Arts. Her breakthrough came in the mid-1990s when she got the opportunity to play a role in ABC’s Bone Chillers. In the years that followed, she made several guest appearances on shows, like Boy Meets World, Clueless, and Step by Step.

Cardellini garnered more mainstream attention when she started playing Lindsay Weir in NBC’s Freaks and Geeks. She became even more of a household name when she not only played the role of Velma in two Scooby-Doo live-action films but also appeared in several renowned feature films, like Legally Blonde, Brokeback Mountain, and Grandma’s Boy. In recent years, Linda Cardellini has been more recognizable for portraying the recurring role of Laura Barton in many installments of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

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Character: Linda Cardellini plays a family service worker, Gretchen, in Nutcrackers. She is attached to the case of Mike’s nephews and is portrayed as one of the secondary protagonists in the holiday movie. Gretchen understands Mike’s troubles and tries to help him by finding a home for his nephews. However, with the holiday season around the corner, she struggles to get the job done.

Nutcrackers Supporting Cast & Characters

Ulysses Janson as Junior: Ulysses Janson, who made his feature film debut with Nutcrackers, plays one of the four siblings, Junior, in the movie.

Home Janson as Justice: Making his debut with Nutcrackers like his brothers, Home Janson stars as Justice in the film.

Atlas Janson as Samuel: Another one of the Janson siblings, Atlas, portrays Samuel in Nutcrackers.

Arlo Janson as Simon: The fourth Jason brother, Arlo, stars as Simon in Nutcrackers.

Edi Patterson as Rose: Best known for her roles in shows and movies, like Knives Out, The Righteous Gemstones, and Vice Principals, Edi Patterson appears briefly as a foster mother, Rose in Nutcrackers, who tries to take the four siblings.