Ben Stiller's new movie was made 'without cynicism and viciousness'

Ben Stiller's new movie 'Nutcrackers' was made "without cynicism and viciousness".

The actor is back on screen for his first film role in seven years playing a workaholic who leaves the city and travels to rural Ohio to care for his four orphaned nephews - and Ben has revealed the script tempted him back into the spotlight because it was so wholesome and he was impressed by his young co-stars - brothers Homer, Ulysses, Atlas and Arlo Janson.

Speaking at a screening of the movie at the Toronto International Film Festival, Ben explained: "I made a choice a few years ago I was only going to do something if it really resonated with me. I wanted to meet these boys and be part of this ... "

Director David Gordon Green added: "There was a part of me who thought there was a time to do something different. I challenged myself to make a movie without cynicism and viciousness."

Ben went on to insist he wanted the film to be seen in cinemas rather than going straight to a streaming platform, adding: "It’s important for us to experience a movie like this in a theatre. We need more movies like this on screen. It’s nostalgic for us, but it’s what people enjoy."

In in interview with Indiewire.com, Green admitted he wanted to make a movie his young kids could watch after directing a slew of horrors including 'the Exorcist: Believer' and three 'Halloween' films.

He explained: "For 'Nutcrackers', I wanted to make a movie my kids could see. I have young twin sons and I’m not going to let them watch a lot of the movies I’ve made …

"They are not making 'Uncle Buck' or 'Home Alone' right now. Or, they are in a polished, manicured way that goes to a streaming platform.

"You can plug your kids into those movies, but you’re not sharing those experiences. I wanted to make a movie that had the saltiness of 'The Bad News Bears' with messy, rough-around-the-edges kids."