Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin lead a great ensemble cast of tourists traveling through Poland on a Holocaust tour in the acclaimed comedy-drama movieA Real Pain. When their Holocaust survivor grandmother passes away, two mismatched Jewish American cousins join a tour group in Poland to honor her memory. This is Eisenberg’s second film as writer-director after 2022’sWhen You Finish Saving the World.
Since its release,A Real Painhas been met with positive reviewsand awards recognition. Amid Oscar buzz,A Real Painis now streaming on Hulu.Eisenberg and Culkin’s hilarious odd-couple dynamic has been widely praised, but the cast ofA Real Painis full of great performances.
Date Of Birth: July 19, 2025
Active Since:1996
Actor:Jesse Eisenberg was born in New York City, andfirst broke out with the role of angsty teenager Walt Berkman in Noah Baumbach’sThe Squid and the Whale. He gained further recognition with his Oscar-nominated turn as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg inThe Social Network. Eisenberg has also played Columbus in theZombielandmovies, J. Daniel Atlas in theNow You See Memovies, andLex Luthor in the DC Extended Universe.
The Squid and the Whale
2005
2015
2009
2016
Mark Zuckerberg
2010
Character:Eisenberg stars inA Real Painas the awkward and anxious David Kaplan.Dave is mourning the loss of his grandmother and struggling to get along with his cousin, with whom he shares a complicated relationship. Eisenberg also wrote and directed the movie.
Date Of Birth: Jul 07, 2025
Active Since:1988
Actor:Kieran Culkin was born in New York City, andgot his big break playing Fuller alongside his brother Macaulay Culkin inHome Alone. He went on to play Jason Slocumb, Jr. inIgby Goes Down, Matty Banks in theFather of the Bridemovies, and Wallace Wells inScott Pilgrim vs. the World. Today, Culkin is most renowned for his Emmy-winning role asRoman Roy in HBO’sSuccession.
2018–2023
1990
2002
Father of the Bride
1991
Wallace Wells
Character:Culkin co-stars with Eisenberg as Dave’s cousin Benji. Benji is much more confident, outgoing, and charming than Dave, but he’s also shown to have a deep well of sadness and loneliness.Culkin won the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actorfor his performance inA Real Pain.
Date Of Birth: June 06, 2025
Active Since:2008
Actor:Will Sharpe was born in Camden, London, andfirst broke out with the role of Yuki Reid inCasualty. Sharpe is best known for playing Shun inFlowers, Will Packham inDefending the Guilty, andEthan Spiller inThe White Lotusseason 2, for which he received an Emmy nomination. He also wrote and directed the moviesBlack Pond,The Darkest Universe, andThe Electrical Life of Louis Wain.
2009–2010
2016–2018
Ethan Spiller
2022
Character:InA Real Pain,Sharpe plays James, the leader of the tour group. James has to relieve the tension whenever Benji goes off on an emotional tirade. He ultimately ends up respecting Benji’s outspokenness, and thanks him for his feedback.
Date Of Birth: July 19, 2025
Active Since:1979
Actor:Jennifer Grey was born in New York City, andgot her big break with the role of Jeanie Bueller, the title character’s sister, inFerris Bueller’s Day Off. She earned wider recognition forher leading role as Frances “Baby” Houseman inDirty Dancing. Grey also played Toni Mason inRed Dawn, Patsy Dwyer inThe Cotton Club, and voiced Mrs. Kurokawa in the English dub ofThe Wind Rises.
1986
1987
Mrs. Kurokawa
2013
Character:Grey plays Marcia, a member of the tour group. Marcia is going through a divorce andembarks on the tour to reconnect with her family roots. During the trip, she develops a friendship with Benji.
A Real Pain Supporting Cast & Characters
Kurt Egyiawan as Eloge:Eloge, a survivor of the Rwandan genocide, is played by Kurt Egyiawan. Egyiawan is best known for playing Adrian inKaos, Grand Maester Orwyle inHouse of the Dragon, and Father Bennett inThe ExorcistTV show.Ncuti Gatwa was originally cast as Eloge, but hisDoctor Whofilming schedule forced him to drop out.
Liza Sadovy as Diane:Liza Sadovy plays the mild-mannered Midwestern tourist Diane. Sadovy previously played Maisie Tolliver inOutlanderand Mrs. Stoppelman in the miniseriesA Small Light.
Daniel Oreskes as Mark:Daniel Oreskes plays Diane’s husband Mark, who’s unmoved by Benji’s charms. Oreskes is known for playing Marv inOnly Murders in the Buildingand NYPD Lieutenant Moennig inLaw & Order: Organized Crime.
Ellora Torchia as Priya:Dave’s wife Priya, who stays back in New York while he travels to Poland, is played by Ellora Torchia. In addition to her role inA Real Pain, Torchia has played Connie inMidsommarand Runa inAli & Ava.
A Real Pain
Cast
A Real Pain explores themes of identity and loss as two estranged families confront their shared and tumultuous pasts. Through intertwining narratives, the film delves into the complexities of familial relationships and the enduring impact of unresolved grief.
