In our lives, we all know that person who can light up a room when they enter. Those people can have conversations with anyone and can connect with people in just a few short minutes. In A Real Pain Kieren Culkin is that person. From the first time we see him on the screen, Kieran’s character, Benji, is full of energy and is charismatic. As we journey with him and David, played by Jesse Eisenberg, we find out more about his life and what is behind his persona.

A Real Pain is directed and written by Jesse Eisenberg and in his directorial debut he covers some interesting and sensitive topics. The movie follows two cousins, David and Benji, on a tour of Poland to see their recently deceased Grandmother’s homeland. The boys are accompanied by an interesting group on the tour and discuss some sensitive and broad topics along the way.

A Real Pain, resembles movies like, Before Sunset, and Aftersun, in that they are conversation-heavy. The conversations guide the journey; in this case, the journey is a tour of Poland. The tour serves as a backdrop for exploring the characters and how they feel about the locations they are visiting. At each location, we learn more about the relationship between David and Benji and the people on the tour. On this tour, we are introduced to the British tour guide, a recent divorcee, a recent convert to Judaism, and an older couple that considers themselves “boring”. Each of these people not only has a story to tell but also connects with Benji in a way that they might not have expected.

When Benji’s “story” is revealed later in the movie the meaning of the movie takes a different, well, meaning. Benji is the pain in David’s side throughout the movie but we learn that there is more to Benji than just being so talkative and a bit annoying. Without giving too much away, what we learn about Benji makes the others look at him in a different light but they do not change their behavior towards him. It is in moments like their last dinner together with the tour group and the ride to and back from the concentration camp where the dialogue shines in the movie. How do you talk about living a somewhat easy life while visiting a location where people lost their lives? Eisenberg tiptoes the line with the dialogue and never makes it sound condescending or heartless.

Final Thought: A Real Pain is an interesting look at pain, privilege, and living through grief. Through the characters of David and Benji, we see how different people react to the world around them and either choose to be safe or step out of their comfort zone. Kieran Culkin shines as the energetic and charismatic Benji and takes you on a wave of emotions as you follow him throughout the movie.

Kid-Friendly: The movie takes place in Poland and there is a scene at a concentration camp that might be a little heavy for younger viewers. This movie is more appropriate for older kids who have read about the horrors of the concentration camps. There is drug use and Benji’s character swears a good amount in the movie.

Violence: There is no violence in the movie. There is a slap in one scene that breaks the tension of the moment.

Mismatched cousins David (Jesse Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin) reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother. The adventure takes a turn when the odd-couple’s old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history.