Culkin appears alongside the films writer and director, Jesse Eisenberg, inthe cast ofA Real Pain.

Some dissenters have argued that Culkin is more of a co-lead than a supporting player.

But these complaints dont hold much water.

Omar Benson Miller as Cornbread opening his arms wide in Sinners

Its clearly about Daves journey.

Where Dave is shy, awkward, and introverted, Benji is brash, confident, and outspoken.

Benji feels like a main character because he has a much bigger personality than Dave.

Nicolas Cage in The Surfer

Where Dave is shy, awkward, and introverted, Benji is brash, confident, and outspoken.

Benji has been compared toCulkinsSuccessioncharacter, Roman Roy, but they have a few key differences.

Benji has social skills and compassion and a genuine interest in other people, which Roman lacks.

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Benji is an open book emotionally, while Roman goes to great lengths to mask his sadness.

The main thing they have in common is their snarkiness, which makes them both scene-stealers.

If Benji seems like the main character, its because the movie captured that dynamic perfectly.

Kieran Culkin looking sad in A Real Pain

Daves insecurities in his relationship with Benji are illustrated perfectly inEisenbergs incredible dinner monologue.

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Kieran Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg stare up at a statue in Poland in A Real Pain

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Cast

A Real Pain Official Poster

Headshot Of Jesse Eisenberg

Headshot Of Kieran Culkin

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A Real Pain