With two Academy Award nominations (Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor) and Kieran Culkin’s Golden Globe win, A Real Pain is getting a lot of attention. After its sensational premiere at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, the independent film was acquired by Searchlight Pictures, who brought the film to theaters last November and Hulu last month. Now, cinephiles can bring the masterpiece home on physical media through Searchlight’s Blu-Ray release, which comes with a digital copy.
Two adult cousins – David (Jesse Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin) Kaplan – reunite for a pilgrimage to Poland, where their dearly departed Grandma Dory was born. Joining a group tour of Jewish historical sites, David and Benji try to reconnect with their grandmother and each other, having once been so close they were like brothers. But as the title suggests, that’s easier said than done, with each going through their struggles in the shadow of their ancestor’s harrowing story of survival.
Paired with the film is a making-of featurette that delves into Eisenberg’s inspiration for the story and the joys of filming on location in Poland. The sensational supporting cast, including Jennifer Grey (Dirty Dancing) and Will Sharpe (The White Lotus Season 2), weighs in, too. But the real star of the release is the film itself, presented with excellent picture and sound quality.
Bonus Features
- Beautiful Fate: Making A Real Pain (19:46) – Take a tour through the heart and history of Poland while going behind the scenes of A Real Pain. Explore the themes of family and connection with Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin. Experience all the humor and humanity that brought this story to life.
Video
A Real Pain is presented in 1080p in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio via a transfer that maintains the film’s understated yet immersive aesthetic. Fine detail remains consistent, particularly in practical elements like clothing textures and architectural features, while colors lean toward a warm and slightly muted palette. A subtle blue tint appears in certain scenes, enhancing the film’s tone rather than detracting from its naturalism. Black levels are handled well overall, contrast remains solid, and skin tones look natural throughout. The image is clean, free from noticeable compression artifacts or digital noise, resulting in a visually pleasing transfer that effectively preserves the film’s intimate and observational cinematography.
Audio
The Blu-ray includes a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix that prioritizes clarity and balance. Dialogue is the clear focal point, remaining crisp and well-prioritized in the center channel, ensuring every line is easily understood. The film’s restrained sound design incorporates occasional ambient details, particularly in outdoor sequences where environmental sounds subtly fill the soundscape. The use of surround channels is minimal but effective, with the most immersive moments occurring in bustling settings like the airport. The score, composed primarily of Chopin piano pieces, is well-mixed, sitting comfortably in the background without overpowering the dialogue. Additional audio options include a 2.0 descriptive audio mix, plus 5.1 French, Castellano, and Deutsch tracks.
Packaging & Design
A Real Pain comes home in a standard Blu-Ray case, with a matte-finish slipcover in its initial pressing. Pressed by Sony, the disc mirrors the box art’s off-white border with the logo in a soft pink. The only insert is a digital copy code, redeemable through Movies Anywhere. The disc itself doesn’t have any trailers. The main menu recreates the box artwork set to piano score, with animated moving clouds.
Final Thoughts
A Real Pain arrives on Blu-ray with a strong presentation that does justice to Jesse Eisenberg’s heartfelt and introspective dramedy. The film’s beautiful cinematography is well-preserved in a clean and natural-looking transfer, while the DTS-HD 5.1 audio mix ensures that every poignant exchange and delicate musical note is delivered with clarity. Though the bonus features are limited to a single making-of featurette, it provides worthwhile insight into the film’s themes and production. With its award-season recognition and stellar performances, this release is an excellent addition for cinephiles and collectors alike. Whether you’re revisiting the film or experiencing it for the first time, A Real Pain on Blu-ray is a worthy investment, offering both emotional depth and technical quality in equal measure.
(Please note this article contains affiliate links. Your purchase will support LaughingPlace by providing us a small commission, but will not affect your pricing or user experience. Thank you.)