Words Tabatha Golat
If someone had told me that the funniest film of the past year would be a comedy-drama about two cousins on a Holocaust tour, I would not have believed them. Yet, here we are in February 2025, and A Real Pain has shot straight to the top of my favourites list. This hilarious masterpiece by writer/director/star Jesse Eisenberg is a perfect blend of humour, heartbreak and self-discovery. Featuring Kieran Culkin in a Golden Globe-winning role, the film showcases the pair as vastly different cousins on a journey to honour their late grandmother in her native Poland.
Eisenberg plays David, a reserved, by-the-book father and husband, while Culkin’s Benji is his polar opposite: a freewheeling drifter who lives in his parents’ basement. The American-Jewish cousins travel to Poland to visit their grandmother’s home and gain a deeper understanding of their family connection to the Holocaust. What begins as a solemn family pilgrimage quickly evolves into a whirlwind of hilarity and heartache. Benji’s antics – ranging from sneaking onto rooftops to smoke smuggled marijuana, to clashing with the tour director – constantly put David in a state of anxious indignation. Despite their differences, the two have a deep familial bond that strengthens as the story unfolds.
Culkin is a revelation in this role. His portrayal of Benji strikes a balance between humour and raw emotion, capturing the struggles of a man lost in life yet deeply connected to his heritage. His scenes are magnetic, and his chemistry with Eisenberg makes their complicated relationship feel authentic. Eisenberg’s restrained performance as David ensures the emotional beats hit as hard as the comedic ones.
Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival, A Real Pain was quickly acquired by Spotlight Pictures for limited theatrical release. It is now available for rent on major streaming platforms (Apple TV, Prime Video). The film’s blend of personal storytelling and larger historical themes is complemented by a beautiful score from Israeli-Canadian pianist Tzvi Erez and stunning cinematography by Michał Dymek, who captures both the bleak and vibrant sides of Poland with equal mastery.
Written by Eisenberg during the pandemic and shot in New York and Poland, A Real Pain feels both timely and timeless. It’s a moving look at identity, grief and family, wrapped in a comedic package. As awards season looms, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Culkin earn an Oscar nomination for his supporting role.
If you’re looking for other unexpectedly funny films, check out my recommendations:
1. Jojo Rabbit (Prime Video)
2. Life Is Beautiful (Apple TV)
3. Moonrise Kingdom (Disney+)
4. Hunt for the Wilderpeople (Apple TV)
