Rob Reiner’s Rocky Relationship With Son Nick Resurfaces in Old Interview

Rob Reiner and his son Nick were on rocky ground long before tragedy struck … with both publicly hinting at a fractured father-son relationship years before the director and his wife were brutally killed … crimes Nick is now allegedly linked to.

Back in a 2015 interview while plugging “Being Charlie” — a film loosely inspired by Nick’s real-life struggles, directed by Rob and written by Nick — Rob admitted the two butted heads during the writing process, but the clash actually helped him understand his son more … and said it even made him a better father.

As Rob got emotional, Nick sat stone-faced … before finally chiming in that their bond came from him watching his dad in his element, doing what Rob did best — making movies — adding he probably should’ve kept quiet and learned from him.

Nick later admitted the project ultimately clicked because they never really connected while he was growing up — but working on the movie together became the turning point that changed everything between them.

Things apparently never fully healed between the pair … ’cause sources tell TMZ the day before the legendary actor-director and his wife were found stabbed inside their Brentwood, California home Sunday, Rob and Nick got into a blowout argument at Conan O’Brien’s Christmas party Saturday night.