Universal Macaulay Culkin is interviewed in a new documentary about John Candy's life. Culkin said hisUncle Buckcostar noticed his dad's "infamous monster" behavior. "That's the kind of man he was," Culkin said inJohn Candy: I Like Me,which opened TIFF 2025. John Candy's protective instinct forMacaulay Culkinwent beyond just their characters inUncle Buck, as the former child star says he felt genuine fatherly vibes from the late comedy legend as they filmed the 1989John Hughesclassic. Culkin speaks about his time working with Candy in filmmaker-actorColin Hanks' new documentaryJohn Candy: I Like Me, which held its world-premiere screening Thursday as the opening film of the 2025Toronto International Film Festival. In the project, Candy'sPlanes, Trains and AutomobilescostarSteve Martinspeaks at the top a segment aboutUncle Buck,heralding his former friend's talents that he says were impressive enough to inspire Hughes to write the character for Candy. Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock Amid marveling at the fact that he's now several years older than Candy was at the timeUncle Buckwas filmed, Culkin reminisces about the positive experience he had playing Candy's nephew in the movie. "I think that's why that's one of my favorite performances, because I think he put a lot of himself into it," Culkin says in the documentary. He adds that a lot of actors "don't know how or don't like to work with kids" because they're "tricky to work with," but that "John was always really kind, and really good with" him and his on-screen sister,Gaby Hoffman. "He showed a lot of respect. When you're eight years old, you don't really get respect, whether it's in a workplace or just from adults and grown-ups in general. You felt invited in," Culkin says of Candy's demeanor. Culkin later adds that he felt "paternal" vibes from Candy, particularly as he says he dealt with a difficult relationship with his father, Kit Culkin, at the time of his early success in Hollywood. "I think he always had that really great instinct. I think he saw. Listen, even before the wave crested and theHome Alonestuff was happening, it was not hard to see how difficult my father was. It was no secret. He was already a monster," Culkin remembers. "All of a sudden, the fame and the money came, and he became aninfamousmonster. He was already not a good guy. I think John was looking a little side-eyed, like, 'Is everything alright over there? You doing good? Good day? Everything's alright? Everything good at home? Alright.'" Culkin calls that attitude "a testament to the kind of man he was," and that he "was just looking out for" him on set. "It doesn't happen that often. It actually happened less as time went on," Culkin says. "I wish I got more of that in my life. It's important that I remember that. I remember John caring when not a lot of people did." Culkin and his brother,SuccessionstarKieran Culkin, have long spoken about theirallegedly difficult relationshipwith their father. Emma McIntyre/Getty "We didn't want to go with my father," Macaulay toldEsquirein 2020, years after his mother, Patricia Brentrup,filed for custody in 1995of her six minor kids with Kit, whom she earlier separated from. "It's always misconstrued, that I 'emancipated' myself from my parents. I legally took my parents' names off of my trust fund and found an executor, someone who would look over my finances, just in case anyone wanted to stick their f---ing pinkie in the pie. But the next thing you know, the story was that I divorced my parents. I just thought I was doing it cleanly—taking my father's name off, taking my mom's name off, so my opinion is unbiased. And when I did that, the whole thing kinda ended a lot faster." Sign up forEntertainment Weekly's free daily newsletterto get breaking news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more. EW could not reach Kit Culkin for comment. The documentary also features interviews with many of Candy's family members (including his wife and children), childhood friends, and many collaborators, includingBill Murray,Tom Hanks,Catherine O'Hara,Dan Aykroyd,Eugene Levy, andAndrea Martin, and evenSpaceballsdirectorMel Brooks. John Candy: I Like Medebuts Oct. 10 on Amazon Prime Video. The 2025 Toronto International Film Festival runs through Sept. 14. Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly