Jesse Eisenberg’s A Real Pain is a remarkable directorial achievement, blending humour, grief, and human connection into one of the year’s most surprising films. With profound emotional depth and a sharp sense of realism, this story lingers long after the credits roll. Below, we dive into the key elements that make this film a standout.
All images courtesy of Searchlight Pictures
A Unique Family Dynamic
The story follows two polar-opposite cousins, David (Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin), who embark on a guided tour around Poland to retrace the steps of their Polish Grandmother who had recently passed away.
David is an OCD-ridden husband and father who, despite having a solid job and family, feels inferior to his cousin. Benji, in contrast, is socially confident and unapologetically honest but is attempting to navigate life without his grandmother’s guidance.
Eisenberg’s choice to focus on the relationship between cousins—a familial bond often overlooked in cinema—is refreshing. This perspective lends the film an emotional authenticity, as David and Benji’s interactions reflect both the closeness and distance inherent in such a dynamic. Their relationship feels layered and lived-in, striking a perfect balance between humour and heartfelt connection.
Amazing Supporting Cast
While David and Benji anchor the story, the supporting cast adds depth and richness to the narrative. The characters on the tour are diverse in background yet connected through shared cultural and religious ties, as well as their individual experiences of grief.
In the Q&A with Culkin after the UK Screening, he admitted that his line to Jennifer Grey “Hey! Why are you walking alone, are you a fucking loser?” was improvised. All the character interactions felt so natural that it felt like you were also on the tour through Poland with them. This made the story feel so real and easy to love.
Kieran Culkin’s Standout Performance
Culkin’s performance as Benji re-enforces his ability to transcend into characters effortlessly and uniquely. He captures and portrays Benji in such a complex yet simple way. You could be laughing with him in one scene but suddenly wanting to cry, and sometimes actually crying, the next. Culkin deserves that Best Supporting Actor Academy Award this season.
Eisenberg’s Raw and Organic Writing
Some of the dialogue Eisenburg admitted was cut by his editor for being “too pretentious”, but the writing that made it to the screen was raw and organic and has a tone that is controlled very well under Eisenberg’s direction. One particularly memorable line—“I know my pain is unexceptional so I don’t burden everyone with it”—encapsulates the film’s themes of personal grief and unspoken vulnerability.
Visual Storytelling and Cinematic Realism
The location and cinematography further helped connect audiences to the story.
As someone who has never visited Poland, the beauty of the on-location filming elevated the tone of the film. The scene where the group visited the Majdanek concentration camp was not shown as a spectacle, it was raw and silent, allowing audiences to see and feel real emotional responses. The entire score cut for about 15 seconds and gave a pause that was necessary to acknowledge what we had just seen. The whole scene was directed, filmed, and captured in such a delicate manner.
Eisenburg explained after the screening that he had worked on a relationship with Majdanek for years and Culkin praised Eisenberg for not in any way reducing the location to a film set. There were no markers on the floor and no over-saturation of the crew. What audiences saw was real.
Perfect Pacing and a Memorable Ending
At just 90 minutes, A Real Pain is a rare gem in modern cinema. Its lean runtime ensures that every moment feels essential, while its pacing mirrors the rhythm of a real-life journey. As the tour concludes and the characters go their separate ways, audiences are left with a sense of closure that feels both satisfying and realistic.
This film is about a journey of relationships and grief, and a journey I’m glad I experienced.
Final Thoughts
Jesse Eisenberg’s A Real Pain is a masterclass in emotional storytelling. With its richly drawn characters, heartfelt writing, and stunning visuals, the film explores the complexities of grief and connection in a way that feels both intimate and universal.
Kieran Culkin’s outstanding performance and Eisenberg’s sensitive direction make this film a must-watch.
When A Real Pain hits UK cinemas on January 8, 2025, make sure it’s on your list. You won’t regret taking this journey.