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A Real Pain poster

Film · 2024

A Real Pain

Directed by Jesse Eisenberg · starring Ellora Torchia, Kurt Egyiawan and Kieran Culkin

  • 1 h 30 min
  • 15
  • Comedy · Drama
  • USAPoland
  • Released in the UK 9 January 2025
  • 6.4 AverageMovieNCo
  • 6.6 Users3 votes
  • 6.2 Critics3 reviews

Synopsis

'A Real Pain' is a film that falls into both the comedy and drama genres. Directed and starring Jesse Eisenberg ('When You Finish Saving the World'), this film follows the story of two cousins, both American Jews, who embark on a journey from the United States to Poland following the death of their grandmother.

The desire to fulfill the promise of truly understanding their roots and their family's past is the premise that drives them to undertake this journey. At the same time, both have their own motivations for embarking on this adventure and breaking away from their routine; David is a frustrated writer who needs to find inspiration and meaning in his life, while Benji is an independent filmmaker who wants to shoot a documentary focused on the Holocaust.

Upon arriving in Poland, they decide to join a guided tour that takes them through the concentration camps and other historical sites from World War II. There, they meet other travelers with different motivations and perspectives. In this way, throughout their adventure, David and Benji face various situations, some comedic, others dramatic and moving, that lead them to reflect on their identity, their past, and their relationship with the world.

Where to watch A Real Pain

All the options

Available now in the UK:

Availability checked on 8 November 2026.

The essentials

Runtime
90 min1 hour and 30 minutes
Budget
€3mTopic Studios
Box office
$7min US
Rating
15Suitable only for 15 years and over
How long is A Real Pain?
1 hour and 30 minutes (90 minutes).
When was A Real Pain released in the UK?
It was released in the UK on 9 January 2025.
Who directed A Real Pain?
Jesse Eisenberg.
Who is in A Real Pain?
It stars Ellora Torchia, Kurt Egyiawan, Kieran Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg.
Where can I watch A Real Pain?
In the UK it is available with a subscription on Disney+ and to rent on Apple TV and Prime Video.
How much did A Real Pain make?
It took $7 million in US. It cost €3 million.
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Director
Jesse Eisenberg
Writers
Jesse Eisenberg

Photos and posters

All 10 photos

Reviews

All 3 reviews
6.6 3 votes

What the critics say average 6.2 from 3 outlets

  • 6.5 CriticJonathan Vargas Overall, A Real Pain is not without its flaws, but is an insightful film on grief, pain, and family nonetheless. Read
  • 6.0 The GuardianAdrian Horton A Real Pain is occasionally insightful on the subject of suffering, sometimes funny, a bit endearing, a little pretentious, often dry. Read
  • 6.0 CriticJake Gibbard So while A Real Pain, and its predictable sequence of events, may not break any new ground when it comes to films about family relationships, it's still a humorous and touching comedy-drama that… Read

Box office

Weekend by weekend
  • Budget €3m
  • US $7m
  • Academy Awards (Oscars) 2025 1 of 2 nominations Won: Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
  • Golden Globes 2025 1 of 4 nominations Won: Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
  • BAFTA Awards 2025 2 of 2 nominations Won: Film Best Supporting Actor, Best Screenplay (Original)
  • Actor Awards 2025 1 of 1 nomination Won: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role

Soundtrack

All 24 songs
  1. Nocturne No. 2 in E-Flat Major, Op. 9, No. 2Tzvi Erez Spotify
  2. 24 Preludes, Op. 28 No. 19 in E-Flat Major: VivaceTzvi Erez
  3. Nocturne No. 12 in G Major, Op. 37, No. 2Tzvi Erez
  4. Nocturne No. 1 in B-Flat Minor, Op. 9, No. 1Tzvi Erez
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