Jesse Eisenberg’s second feature film follows cousins Benji and David, who were inseparable as children but have since grown apart as adults. They reunite for a trip to Poland in honor of their late grandmother, seeking to reconnect with their Jewish roots. The pair form an odd travel duo, essentially opposites in character, and their asymmetrical dynamic is a pure delight to watch, filled with sharp dialogue and a standout performance from Kieran Culkin as Benji. As their journey unfolds, so does a shared connection to tragic family histories, and the underlying gravity of these stories adds emotional depth to this dramedy. A Real Pain becomes a deeply moving cinematic experience, with Eisenberg impressing not only as a director but also in his quintessential role as David.

Daniel Tollefsen Altamirano