Kieran Culkin’s Star on the Rise: A Real Pain and the Inspiration of The Social Network
Kieran Culkin’s star has been rapidly rising, and his latest film, A Real Pain, could see him win an Oscar. Before that happens, it’s worth taking a moment to revisit another incredible film by his co-star and director, Jesse Eisenberg, from 2010. Eisenberg’s career in Hollywood has seen him playing leading roles for over a decade, with his breakout solo lead role coming in 2010 with The Social Network.
The Social Network is based on the story of how Mark Zuckerberg founded Facebook, one of the most popular websites on the internet, and the struggles he encountered as business partners and former friends attempted to claim ownership of the ideas and initial building of the website. The film was a tremendous success, earning eight Oscar nominations, including one for Best Actor for Jesse Eisenberg. However, he narrowly missed out on the win, which went to Colin Firth for his performance in The King’s Speech.
While The Social Network marked a major milestone in Eisenberg’s career, the talented actor has begun to shift his focus to spending more time directing. In 2022, Eisenberg released his directorial debut, and two years later, he progressed to releasing the incredible A Real Pain, which is tipped to win awards on the 2025 circuit. A Real Pain follows two young men as they embark on a journey to connect with their recently deceased grandmother by visiting the place where she grew up in Poland. The story is also underlined with incredible sorrow, mourning, and a feeling of loneliness, despite the characters traveling together.
Eisenberg’s take on Zuckerberg in The Social Network is also underlined by loneliness, with the main character constantly surrounded by people but still feeling isolated. Both films appear to share some themes, including identity and loss, as two estranged families confront their shared and tumultuous pasts. Through intertwining narratives, the films delve into the complexities of familial relationships and the enduring impact of unresolved grief.
A Real Pain explores these themes as two young men, David and Benji, travel to Poland to visit the place where their recently deceased grandmother grew up. The film is a powerful exploration of identity, loss, and the complexities of familial relationships. With a talented cast, including Jesse Eisenberg, Kieran Culkin, and Will Sharpe, A Real Pain is a must-see film that is sure to leave audiences moved and inspired.
