Golden Globes 2025: Will Kieran Culkin Win Best Supporting Actor for A Real Pain?

Among the nominations for the 2025 Golden Globes, one of the most anticipated races is for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture. Kieran Culkin received a nomination for his performance in A Real Pain, the new dramedy written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg. Culkin stars alongside Eisenberg as his cousin Benji, who joins Eisenberg’s character on a tour of Holocaust sites in Poland.

Strong Competition in the ‘Supporting Actor’ Category

While Culkin’s performance has earned praise, the supporting actor category features several standout contenders. Edward Norton garnered a nod for his part in A Complete Unknown. Jeremy Strong is nominated for his take on the controversial lawyer Roy Cohn in The Apprentice.

Other nominees include Guy Pearce for The Brutalist, veteran Denzel Washington for his role in the Gladiator sequel, and newcomer Yura Borisov for his breakout performance in Anora.

With such an impressive field, Culkin faces stiff competition for the prize. However, his captivating and complex performance gives him a strong chance.

Culkin’s Nuanced Portrayal Stands Out

As Benji, Culkin brings depth and humanity to a brash, lively character dealing with inner turmoil. Though artsy cousin David (Eisenberg) plans their solemn trip, Benji frequently derails the schedule with his impulsive antics, frustrated outbursts, and inappropriate humor.

Culkin uses these extremes to reveal Benji’s hidden pain and grief. His emotional range and spontaneity showcase Benji’s attempts to cope with intergenerational trauma. Culkin’s interpretation makes Benji both infuriating and sympathetic. Interestingly, Culkin admitted he nearly quit his role only two weeks before filming began.

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High Praise from Critics

Critics widely praised Culkin’s performance as a career high point. Many reviews singled out his supporting role as giving A Real Pain its most compelling element. Some said that Culkin “keeps us guessing” and “brings such dynamism” to the role of Benji.

Such rave reviews across the board suggest that Culkin made the most of his somewhat unorthodox casting by director Eisenberg, who admitted to selecting Culkin purely based on his intriguing “essence” and hadn’t seen him in other roles.

Could Culkin Secure Another Globe Win?

Kieran Culkin has built an impressive resume of film and TV roles. In 2002’s Igby Goes Down, he was nominated for a Golden Globe Best Supporting Actor in a series, miniseries, or TV film. He was also nominated in 2019, 2020, and 2022 for Succession, before winning a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a TV drama in 2024.

Taking home the prize for A Real Pain would be the icing on the cake. Culkin has certainly proven his abilities through his layered, heartbreaking turn as Benji.

Outcome Depends on Globes Voters

Ultimately, whether Culkin leaves the ceremony with the Globe will depend on how the voters respond to his standout work. While Washington and Strong give powerful performances, Culkin’s charming yet turbulent Benji could help him clinch the award.

His credible contender status speaks volumes about how fully he embodied the role’s complex essence—just as Eisenberg envisioned. We’ll see if that intangible quality sways voters when the Globes air on January 5th.