Film Data: ‘A Real Pain’
- Title: ‘A Real Pain’
- Release Year: 2024 (USA, etc.), January 31, 2025 (Japan)
- Director: Jesse Eisenberg
- Cast:
- Jesse Eisenberg (David)
- Kieran Culkin (Benji) Others
- Running Time: 90 minutes
- Major Awards & Recognition:
- Nominated for Best Screenplay at the 97th Academy Awards
- Won Best Supporting Actor (Kieran Culkin) at the same ceremony
- Achieved an unprecedented level of box office success in Poland for an indie film
- How to Watch: After a short theatrical run at mini-theaters in Japan, available on Disney+ from April 16, 2025
What You Will Learn in This Article
- The plot and basic information about ‘A Real Pain’
- A “road movie” style story of two Jewish American cousins touring Holocaust sites
- A unique blend of comedy and seriousness, along with commentary on “commercialized memorial tours”
- The compelling performances of director/star Jesse Eisenberg and Best Supporting Actor winner Kieran Culkin
- What “real pain” lingers after you finish watching
Introduction
Hello, and welcome to my blog “Cats & Cinema.” Today, I’d like to introduce you to ‘Real Pain: A Journey of the Heart,’ directed, written, and starring Jesse Eisenberg, a film that generated a lot of buzz.
This movie was nominated for both Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor at the 97th Academy Awards, and Kieran Culkin took home the Best Supporting Actor trophy. You might know him primarily as the younger brother of Macaulay Culkin from the “Home Alone” series, but in this film, his performance is truly breathtaking—well deserving of the Oscar win.
In Japan, it had a small release in mini-theaters at the end of January 2025, with a short run that caused many people to miss it. In fact, I was one of those who didn’t catch it in theaters. But from April 16, 2025, it finally began streaming on Disney+. The moment it became available, I dove in, thinking, “I absolutely can’t miss this!”—and I soon regretted not seeing it earlier. It’s such a dense piece of work that’s surprisingly difficult to break down logically, leaving a strange aftertaste that’s hard to put into words.
In this article, I’ll do my best to convey the fascinating allure behind this mysterious “pain” the story revolves around. I hope you’ll stick with me until the end.
Synopsis
Off to Poland for a Historical Tour
The protagonists are David (Jesse Eisenberg) and his cousin Benji (Kieran Culkin), who grew up almost like brothers. Although they were once close, time has distanced them. They reunite thanks to a final request from their beloved grandmother: “Please take part in a Holocaust memorial tour of Poland.”
Benji, who arrives first at the airport, is restless and prone to impulsive behavior. Meanwhile, David—now married and settled—has become extremely cautious, leaving multiple voicemail messages for Benji in the lead-up to the trip, practically the embodiment of restraint.
The “Pain” That Emerges for Each on the Journey
Once in Poland, the Holocaust site “memorial tour” proceeds methodically. The local guide offers up historical facts and figures, but Benji begins to sense a certain discomfort in the atmosphere of treating it all as mere “tourism.”
As the tour goes on, Benji’s antics escalate, drawing stares from their fellow travelers. But in the latter half of the film, once his “secret” and “coming out” are revealed, both the characters in the story and the audience see him in a completely different light. What exactly is the “real pain” that Benji, seemingly just a troublemaker, has been carrying inside? And what was the true intention behind their grandmother’s final words? Near the end of their journey, the two finally arrive at their grandmother’s childhood home, only to find that the “dramatic epiphany” they expected is nowhere to be found. Instead, they’re confronted by a form of “reality” that comes off as almost darkly ironic.
What Makes This Film Special
A Fusion of Road Movie and Holocaust Film
Road movies typically revolve around characters rediscovering themselves or their relationships through travel, but here it’s overlaid with the deeply weighty historical context of a “Holocaust memorial tour.” Even as moments of black humor pop up along the way—those “Is it really okay to laugh?” scenes—this actually accentuates the uneasy contradictions of experiencing the Holocaust as a kind of “tour.”
From an academic viewpoint, the film’s critical take could be linked to “dark tourism” (the practice of visiting sites associated with suffering or death). There’s also a meta approach to how Holocaust films themselves can be commercialized. At times, you might find yourself wondering if it’s going too far.
The “Unreproducible Pain” That Brings Two Opposites Together
David and Benji could not be more different. David is diligent, sensible, and a “good guy,” though his anxiety leaves him irritable and insecure. Benji, on the other hand, seems like a reckless troublemaker but actually harbors a deep, unseen anguish.
When Benji’s true nature is revealed later in the film, both the audience and the characters share a moment of realization: “So that’s why he acted so oddly.” Although it’s a classic road-movie device to unveil such a motivation, here it ties Benji’s pain to the Holocaust memorial in an unexpected way, giving their complicated relationship new depth.
The Limits of Reenactment Symbolized by “Grandma’s Slap”
One of the most striking scenes in the climax is when David attempts to recreate a moment when his grandmother once slapped Benji. He’s trying to replicate the emotion behind that action, hoping it might help him understand her intentions—but Benji’s reaction is indifferent. The circumstances have changed, so even the same slap doesn’t carry the same meaning.
It’s a bitter metaphor for how, when it comes to truly understanding “real pain,” simply retracing steps or visiting historical sites may never let us fully experience the suffering of those who lived it. This doesn’t just apply to the Holocaust; it underscores how difficult it is to comprehend any form of “someone else’s pain.”
A Delicate Balance of Comedy and Seriousness
Films about the Holocaust inevitably risk being heavy-handed, yet the early part of this story is sprinkled with moments of hilarious chaos involving Benji, giving it the breeziness you’d expect from a road movie. Then, once it delves into darker historical truths, the humor recedes, shifting focus to a sobering critique of “memorials geared toward commerce” and “commodified memory.”
The audience is caught off guard by these abrupt mood changes, ultimately facing the unsettling question: “Can we ever really understand the tragedies of the past?” Balancing comedy and tragedy is more challenging than it seems, and Eisenberg’s capable direction makes it work surprisingly well.
Conclusion
‘A Real Pain’ is far more than just a “Holocaust film” or a “funny road movie.” It’s layered with complexities. At first, Benji’s antics might annoy you, or David’s timidity might frustrate you, but as the story unfolds, you begin to see how each character is artfully placed, leading you to wonder, “How would I feel if I were in their shoes?”
The question “Can grief and pain ever be fully reproduced?” extends beyond major historical atrocities and resonates with everyday struggles and social issues, too. Perhaps the lingering aftertaste comes from facing these core dilemmas: “Can we truly grasp someone else’s pain?” and “Is the pain we feel ourselves really ‘authentic’?”
The film’s short theatrical run meant many people missed it, but now it’s streaming on Disney+ as of April 16, 2025. If you’re curious, do check it out. It has the uplifting spirit of a road movie, yet it quietly challenges viewers to think. Set aside time on a weekend to watch it in a relaxed setting, and you may find it speaks to you on a deeper level.
- IMDb: ‘A Real Pain’
Comprehensive information about the cast, crew, user ratings, and reviews. While it’s an English site, it also features behind-the-scenes tidbits and trivia—recommended for those who want to learn more.
