Jesse Eisenberg is opening up about the creative friction he navigated while directing and starring alongside Kieran Culkin in the 2024 comedy-drama "A Real Pain," and he has also confirmed that his next project will be a television show rather than another feature film.
Eisenberg, who wrote and directed the film in addition to playing David Kaplan, described the experience of working with Culkin - who plays his mismatched cousin Benji Kaplan - as demanding in ways that pushed him as a filmmaker. The two share nearly every scene in a 90-minute road movie that follows the cousins on a tour through Poland to honor their late grandmother, and the old tensions between the characters resurface against the backdrop of their family history.
The film, released on November 1, 2024, blends comedy and drama as it tracks the cousins' journey. Alongside Eisenberg and Culkin, the cast includes Will Sharpe as James, Jennifer Grey as Marcia, Kurt Egyiawan as Eloge, Liza Sadovy as Diane, Daniel Oreskes as Mark and Ellora Torchia as Priya. "A Real Pain" holds a 6.791/10 rating on TMDb.
A Follow-Up in Television
Eisenberg's next move will take him to the small screen. The filmmaker said his upcoming project is a TV show, a shift away from the independent film world where "A Real Pain" has circulated. He did not offer details about the show's premise, network or release plans.
For Eisenberg, the pivot comes after a period in which he has worked on both sides of the camera. "A Real Pain" placed him at the center of the production as writer, director and lead, an arrangement that gave him responsibility for shaping the material and for managing the on-set dynamic with his co-star.
A Two-Hander at the Center
The film's success rests largely on the interplay between David and Benji, cousins whose personalities clash as they travel together. Eisenberg has spoken about the challenges of directing a project in which he was also performing opposite Culkin, whose Benji is the more volatile of the pair. The role earned Culkin attention on the awards circuit, and the film's blend of humor and melancholy became its calling card.
The premise is simple on its surface: two relatives who have drifted apart reunite for a trip meant to honor their grandmother, only to find that the baggage between them travels with them. Set against the history of Poland and the family's roots there, the story uses the tour as a device to draw out long-simmering resentments and moments of unexpected tenderness.
What Comes Next
Eisenberg's comments about his next project arrive as "A Real Pain" continues to find audiences following its 2024 release. The film's run time of 90 minutes keeps the focus tight on the two leads, and its mix of genres has made it a talking point in discussions about smaller-scale dramas that land with viewers.
Whether the television project will echo the intimate, character-driven approach of "A Real Pain" remains unclear. Eisenberg has not said whether he will write, direct, act in or produce the show, or whether it will be a limited series or an ongoing one. For now, the announcement marks a new direction for a filmmaker who has spent recent years balancing acting work with writing and directing.
Fans of "A Real Pain" will have to wait for further word on the television project, but the film itself remains available to audiences. Its cast, led by Eisenberg and Culkin, and its portrait of family ties strained and tested have kept it in conversation well after its initial release.
Source: Hollywood Reporter
