A Real Pain
A Real Pain
"A Real Pain" follows mismatched cousins David (Jesse Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin) as they reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother, but their adventure takes a dark turn when the odd couple's old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history.
rg9400 reviewedJanuary 2, 2025
A Real Pain is a movie that left me wanting more. While both Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin are co-stars of this movie, it really is Kieran Culkin's movie. Initially, it feels like he is just rehashing his role as Roman Roy, playing the crass and blunt asshole. However, he brings an extra layer of vulnerability and pain that boils to the surface throughout the movie, really differentiating the two roles and showcasing his acting chops. At first, the movie plays out like an odd couple road trip, but it becomes evident that this movie is exploring pain and the way different people deal with it, whether it be by bottling it up, being brutally honest and sharing it with others, or trying to explore the trauma of the past in a way to overcome it. There are some beautiful shots and strong writing, credit to Jesse Eisenberg's directing and writing. However, I left the movie feeling like it was lacking something, something that brings it all together. The ending is ambiguous, and I get that is the point: there is no single moment that can bring catharsis. Regardless, it still felt like it didn't land the emotional punch necessary for even that type of messaging, lacking something that will make me remember it. It's easy to watch and worth watching, just don't go in expecting a masterpiece. Kieran Culkin will be winning awards for this performance though.