A REAL PAIN -- A Moving Exploration of Family, Friendship, and Rediscovery

by Jonathan Berk

Both Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin have been cinematic mainstays for quite some time, but A Real Pain feels like the perfect culmination of their talents. Eisenberg shines both in front of and behind the camera, stepping into the director's role for the second time. However, Culkin is the true star here, unequivocally lighting up the screen every time he's in the frame. This is a film that will make you laugh and later cry as it compels reflection on every facet of humanity.

David (Eisenberg) reunites with his cousin Benji (Culkin) at the airport as they prepare to travel to Poland. The two have a complex history and are set to tour their recently deceased grandmother's old home. As if the emotional weight of the tour itself weren’t enough, the cousins find themselves confronting unresolved issues from their past with a growing degree of tension.

The tour group is filled with compelling characters whose introductions feel organic and endearing. The film allows most of the supporting cast to shine in their moments. Jennifer Grey delivers two remarkable monologues, Kurt Egyiawan shares a harrowing story that’s deeply moving, and Will Sharpe plays the tour guide with a mix of passionate insight and amusingly mild annoyance. Although Liza Shadovy and Daniel Oreskes have slightly less screen time, they manage to leave a lasting impression.

The group dynamic between characters and actors truly peaks during a comical scene at a monument of Polish soldiers. As Benji recruits the group to pose with him for photos, the comedy builds, creating one of the film’s most warm and memorable moments.  This is but one of many instances that allow us to feel like we truly know who these people are, and the journey that they're all taking.​

The real draw here, however, is the interaction between Eisenberg and Culkin. Culkin’s Benji is overflowing with charisma, showing an intense interest in — and love for — people. He listens with such rapt attention you'd think he were hearing a legendary speaker, reacting to stories as though watching a thrilling game. But Benji isn’t always pleasant; when the kind and quirky pendulum peaks and begins to sway back, he can turn unnervingly bitter and vitriolic.

Eisenberg brings a familiar awkwardness to David, but there’s a clear sense of pain beneath his anxiety this time. His love for Benji is evident, though he remains baffled by his cousin's behavior. Despite their opposing natures, their connection is undeniable. You’ll find yourself rooting for them to finally confront the conversation they've both been avoiding. The tension is palpable, even as Benji often defuses it with humor. The chemistry between Eisenberg and Culkin is electric, with Culkin’s magnetic charm and intensity pulling viewers into a warm embrace of laughter and introspection.

Eisenberg’s control of tone is what makes this movie truly work. He knows exactly when to push the right emotional buttons, and allows the heaviest moments of the tour to breathe. To his credit, he resists the urge to break the gravity of these scenes with humor, choosing instead to let the emotions resonate.

A Real Pain is nothing short of remarkable. Culkin’s charm is infectious, and his naturalistic delivery of dialogue makes viewers feel like a part of the family, or another member of the tour. This is undoubtedly a standout film of the year.

A Real Pain is in theaters on November 8.  

Rating: 5/5