Jesse Eisenberg Reflects on Masculinity and Family Trauma in Upcoming Film

The actor-director explores inherited fears and male archetypes in 'A Real Pain,' set to release January 16.

Jesse Eisenberg examines his Jewish heritage and transgenerational trauma in his new film 'A Real Pain,' which he directed and stars in alongside Kieran Culkin.
The movie follows two cousins on a journey to Poland to explore their family's Holocaust legacy after the death of their grandmother.
Eisenberg discusses feelings of inadequacy and envy toward men who appear unburdened by self-doubt, a theme reflected in the film's characters.
He highlights the psychological impact of inherited paranoia stemming from his family's Holocaust survival, manifesting as everyday anxieties in his childhood.
The film delves into contrasting male behaviors, with Eisenberg portraying a reserved character and Culkin playing a more chaotic personality.