A Real Pain 2024

Movie · 90 min · English · January 20, 2024

Buddy comedy-drama Comedy-drama Road comedy-drama

Directed by Jesse EisenbergWritten by Jesse Eisenberg

Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Kieran Culkin, Will Sharpe, Jennifer Grey, Kurt Egyiawan

A Real Pain is a 2024 comedy-drama film made, written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg. This international production, co-developed between Poland and the United States, features Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin as cousins with contrasting personalities who come together for a journey through Poland to explore their Jewish roots in memory of their deceased grandmother. The trip becomes tense as their family past influences their relationship. Additional roles are played by Will Sharpe, Jennifer Grey, Kurt Egyiawan, Liza Sadovy, and Daniel Oreskes.

Filming occurred mainly in Poland between May and June 2023. The movie made its debut at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, winning the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award. It opened in theaters across the United States on November 1, 2024 and in Poland on November 8, distributed by Searchlight Pictures. Worldwide earnings reached $24.9 million.

Critics praised the film, awarding it multiple honors including two nominations at the 97th Academy Awards and 78th British Academy Film Awards, along with four 82nd Golden Globe Awards. Culkin earned awards from the Oscar, BAFTA, SAG, Golden Globe, and Critics' Choice for Best Supporting Actor, while Eisenberg was honored with a BAFTA for Best Original Screenplay. It ranked among the top ten films of 2024 by the American Film Institute and National Board of Review.