Kieran Culkin’s Oscar Chances Uncertain Despite Critical Acclaim
Kieran Culkin, known for his quirky characters, has been acting steadily since childhood. He recently starred in Jesse Eisenberg’s directorial debut, A Real Pain, which has received universal critical acclaim. Culkin’s performance as Benji in the movie has been praised for its vulnerability and authenticity.
Culkin’s role in A Real Pain has earned him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the Oscars, but the movie’s sparse nominations for the Academy Awards may hold him back from clinching the title. Despite this, Culkin is arguably the Best Supporting Actor frontrunner for the 2025 Oscars.
A Real Pain follows two cousins, played by Eisenberg and Culkin, as they try to connect with their Jewish ancestry and themselves. The movie received critical acclaim and has been well-received by audiences, even climbing Hulu’s charts after its theatrical run. However, it surprisingly missed out on a crucial nomination for the Academy Awards: Best Picture.
The movie received nominations only in the Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor categories, leaving many wondering about the snub. A Real Pain received praise from critics’ circles, including the Gotham Awards and Critics’ Choice Awards, and was named one of the top ten best movies of 2024 by both the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute.
Culkin’s recent success includes winning an Emmy for his role as Roman Roy in Succession, and his performance in A Real Pain has been praised for its nuance and depth. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his Oscar chances, Culkin has proven himself to be a talented and versatile actor, and his future projects are eagerly anticipated.
