Back (2009)
A haunting drama about a 9/11 survivor who returns home eight years later with no memory of where he has been.
Back - Movie Information
- Release Year: 2009
- Directed by: Mark Pellington
- Type: Movie
- Runtime: 1h 0m
- Original Language: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): February 2, 2009
- Production Companies: CBS Studios, Storyline Entertainment
- Production Countries: United States of America
Back - Plot
A man presumed killed in the 9/11 attacks returns home eight years later with no memory of where he has been. He must now reconnect with his family, and his remarried wife, and figure out how to rejoin the world.
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Back - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Mark Pellington
Main Cast
- Skeet Ulrich
- Connor Price
- Emily Meade
- John C. McGinley
- Sherry Stringfield
- Sebastian Sozzi
- D. B. Woodside
- Illya Konstantin
- David Campbell
- Sean Patrick Reilly
Writers
- Dean Widenmann
Back - FAQs
What is Back (2009) about?
Back follows Richard Miles, a man presumed dead in the September 11 attacks, who mysteriously resurfaces eight years later with no memory of where he's been. He must navigate reconnecting with his family, including his remarried wife, and figure out how to reclaim his place in a world that moved on without him.
Does Richard Miles ever recover his lost memories?
The film keeps Richard's eight-year absence deliberately ambiguous, focusing more on the emotional and psychological toll of his return than on a tidy explanation. His memory loss drives the central tension, leaving both the characters and the audience grappling with unanswered questions about where he truly was.
How does Richard's family react to his return?
The reunion is anything but simple. His wife Cheryl has remarried and built a new life, while his children have grown up without him. The film honestly portrays the emotional complexity of a family forced to confront grief, hope, and disruption all at once when someone they mourned suddenly walks back in.
Who directed Back (2009)?
Mark Pellington directed Back. Known for his visually distinctive style and emotionally intense storytelling, Pellington brings a brooding, atmospheric sensibility to this 9/11-era drama. He has also directed features like Arlington Road (1999) and Henry Poole Is Here (2008), as well as acclaimed music videos.
Who are the main actors in Back?
Skeet Ulrich leads the cast as Richard Miles, the man who returns from the dead. He's joined by Sherry Stringfield as his remarried wife Cheryl, John C. McGinley as Tom Barnes, Connor Price as son Michael, Emily Meade as daughter Shannon, and D. B. Woodside as Dr. Kevin Stern.
Where can you watch Back (2009)?
You can check current streaming and viewing options for Back on JustWatch, which tracks availability across platforms in your region. Availability may vary depending on your location, so JustWatch is the best place to find the most up-to-date options for renting, purchasing, or streaming the film.
Is Back based on a true story?
Back is not based on a specific true story, but it draws on the very real trauma and uncertainty surrounding the September 11 attacks. The premise taps into genuine fears and questions that many families faced — the agonizing ambiguity of missing loved ones and the long shadow cast by that tragedy.
What are some movies similar to Back?
If Back resonates with you, check out Reign Over Me (2007), which also explores 9/11 grief and identity, or Before I Go to Sleep (2014) for another amnesia-driven drama. Worth (2021) and The Jacket (2005) similarly deal with loss, trauma, and fractured identity in compelling and emotionally grounded ways.
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