Movies to Watch if You Liked A Real Pain: “A Real Pain” marks Jesse Eisenberg’s sophomore directorial feature. As an actor, he has worked on several projects, many of which show him as a majorly anxious individual. His latest project puts him in a similar lane, where he appears just as physically reserved. However, the narrative unpeels so many layers of his personality that it is hard to put him in a single box. The same is true with his co-star, Kieran Culkin, who appears lively and impulsive but has a darker emotional core.
As Eisenberg’s character describes, Culkin plays someone who ‘lights up a room and then shits on everything inside of it’. The film is a buddy tragicomedy about their oddball pair. Eisenberg plays a buttoned-up family man who is facing life’s challenges, presumably, in stride. Culkin plays a free-spirited 30-something man who is stuck in a limbo state. While about their attempts at bonding as cousins, the film is also about pain, tragedy, loss, and grief. It is also about ignoring pain in order to lead a ‘normal’ life.
Keeping all these things in mind, I have picked a few films that may pique your interest if you like Eisenberg’s film. Here are the 6 movies to watch if you liked “A Real Pain”:
1. The End of the Tour (2015)
James Ponsoldt’s “The End of the Tour” follows a reporter joining a famous author on his book tour – when they form a strong bond with each other. The reporter is David Lipsky, who used to write for Rolling Stone magazine, while the author is David Foster Wallace. Lipsky later wrote a book about the five days he spent with the author. It serves as the source material for Ponsoldt’s film. The film is essentially about these two writers, roughly the same age, but have different sets of goals and accomplishments.
Like any narrative involving creatives, the film is about the fulfillment of their creative egos or the lack thereof. However, much like “A Real Pain,” it is about two different personalities clashing to find a common ground while on a journey together for Foster Wallace’s acclaimed Infinite Jest. Although largely conversational, it is thoroughly stimulating and filled with insights about 30-something individuals and their hopes and dreams, fulfilled or unfulfilled. What could have been a monotonous film with intellectual debates builds tension through their mutual envy – which stems from their desire to be like the other person. So, it is an apt follow-up to Eisenberg’s Oscar-nominated directorial.
2. The Skeleton Twins (2014)
Craig Johnson’s “The Skeleton Twins” follows Milo and Maggie, two estranged siblings, who reunite after Milo attempts to kill himself. Now in their 30s, they lead lives, unsatisfied, for different reasons. Milo, who moved away to make it big as an actor, ended up stuck in minor jobs. Maggie, who is married to emotionally available Lance, falls into a self-destructive behavioral pattern. Their instincts are deeply rooted in their troubled childhood with feelings or rejections.
Their sexual frustrations coincide with their need for validation and acceptance. So, their reunion offers them a chance to bridge their emotional gap and find a healthier way to lead their future. In that context, it is similar to “A Real Pain,” where people try to find a balance between their impulsive innocence and grown-up maturity. Besides that, the film is worthwhile because it brings the iconic SNL duo of Kirsten Wiig and Bill Hader to the screen for a bittersweet tearjerker that cleverly uses their acting chops.
Also Read: A Real Pain (2024) Movie Ending Explained & Themes Analyzed: What Does the Ambiguous Ending Reveal About Benji’s State of Mind?
3. The Darjeeling Limited (2007)
Wes Anderson’s “The Darjeeling Limited” follows three brothers, Francis, Peter, and Jack, traveling through India to reconcile their differences, a year after their father’s funeral. The journey offers them a leisurely time for introspection and to simultaneously bond with each other. It becomes difficult since Francis, the eldest, micro-manages their itinerary. Despite these issues, they have a myriad of experiences on the journey that alter their perception of love, loss, and faith.
Much like “A Real Pain,” “The Darjeeling Limited” offers a snippet of a country’s culture through a foreigner’s lens. The script offers these characters a chance to process their grief while trying to mend their broken relationship. Although characteristically quirkier, Anderson’s film is also about biological relatives trying to strengthen their bond through a road trip. Despite its whimsy, it is melancholic and affecting.
4. Manchester by the Sea (2016)
Kenneth Lonergan’s “Manchester by the Sea” revolves around Lee Chandler, a 30-something divorced man, and his 16-year-old nephew Patrick. After Patrick’s father’s loss, Lee is forced to return to their hometown and be responsible for Patrick’s well-being. That is difficult for Lee as he can’t get over his painful memories of the town. So, while trying to support his teenage nephew, he must learn to be selfless and emotionally mature.
The film centers around Lee and Patrick’s push-and-pull dynamic as they struggle to find a balance between their prospects. As a reserved but quick-tempered man, Lee navigates a way out of his past traumas. While about grief, the film is also about these characters learning to let go and move on with their lives. In that regard, it is similar to “A Real Pain,” which discusses grief and trauma through its largely conversational script and focuses on a 30-something man stuck in a limbo state. Lonergan’s sensibilities of naturalism are also pretty similar to Eisenberg’s, which makes this 2016 film a great follow-up to Eisenberg’s tragicomedy.
5. The Savages (2007)
Tamara Jenkins’s “The Savages” shows Jon and Wendy, two estranged siblings, reuniting to take responsibility for their ailing father suffering from dementia. Jon is a professor with a steady job and literary prospects while Wendy is a playwright, struggling to make ends meet. These differences surface as they try to find a good nursing home for their father. They try to latch on to the hope of reviving their youthful spark to find themselves bogged down by responsibilities.
The film shows them straddling a balance between their goals and their reality. Simultaneously, it is about processing loss and grief without simplistically labeling either of their behavior. This humanist, non-judgemental tale is anchored by the brilliant performances of Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney. Upon its release, Jenkins’ script was also nominated for an Oscar besides Linney’s moving performance.
6. The Farewell (2019)
Lulu Wang’s “The Farewell” revolves around Chinese-American writer Billi, struggling to land a gig in New York. One day, she learns that her grandmother has been diagnosed with cancer and won’t live long. The family keeps the grandmother in the dark about her condition. Instead, they rush to arrange a wedding for Billi’s cousin. It all stems from their cultural belief that fear of death may do more harm than good. So, they carry on with a wedding, pretending that everything is fine.
Tonally, “The Farewell” is a profoundly gloomy affair despite bits of occasional humor. It examines the nature of grief from a cultural lens and explores the rituals that people go through for their loved ones. “A Real Pain” also shows the specifically Jewish traditions to pay respects to the departed. It also speaks about generational pain and how it trickles down to the descendants through the traumatic memories.
