A REAL PAIN is a 2024 film written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg. The film follows Polish cousins David (Jesse Eisenberg) and Benji (played by my husband, Kieran Culkin – you will hear more about Kieran Culkin in this review than you have in your entire life) as they go on a Holocaust tour in Poland after the death of their grandmother.ย
The movie was very well done. Jesse Eisenberg does a fantastic job with the direction, and the story is well constructed. There was not a single moment I wanted to miss, as every scene was so heartfelt and meaningful and made you understand and connect to the characters on a much deeper level. The dialogue strengthens as the film continues but is a bit exposition-heavy in the first few scenes. Once it finds its footing, it becomes VERY funny and witty. So many moments in the film made me laugh out loud with joy. The film felt very personal, and I especially loved the light it shined on menโs mental health issues, which are rarely discussed. The movie does not only have a strong central performance from the leads, but the whole ensemble comes together perfectly to reflect how pain affects all different people and how we cope with it.ย
Okay, it’s time to get to the real reason I saw this movie. On April 7th, 2023, I decided to watch what would become my favorite TV show of all time, SUCCESSION. Five minutes in, I fell deeply in love with Mr. Kieran Kyle Culkin. Kieran Culkin (in my opinion, which is the correct opinion) the hottest man to ever live and an incredibly underrated and underused actor. If we go over his filmography, he has an insane range. Not only in the characters heโs played but the emotions he portrays while playing a single character. Look at the journey he takes from SUCCESSION S1E1 to S4E9. Or, my favorite movie of his, IGBY GOES DOWN, where he was 19 years old, gave one of the best acting performances Iโve ever seen. Kieran takes all these great qualities about him and multiplies them by 100 in A REAL PAIN. It is phenomenal and a masterclass in acting. It is so real, raw, and completely unfiltered. Kieranโs use of his eyes is unlike any other actor Iโve seen. He fully commits and does not let a single moment go unchecked. Kieran fully deserves the Oscar nomination for Best Leading Actor. Whatever will get him closer to his deserved EGOT.
A REAL PAIN was not the best or my favorite movie of 2024. However, it’s most certainly a worthwhile watch. Watch it with your family, friends, or even just by yourself. I watched it with my mother, and she loved it, and we had a wonderful time.
A REAL PAIN is currently in theatres.
