Who would have predicted that when Home Alone was released in 1991, the actor who played Fuller would one day win Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the Oscars? Kieran Culkin won his undoubtedly well-deserved first Oscar on Sunday, for playing Benji in Jesse Eisenberg’s comedy-drama about two cousins who take a journey through Poland to connect with their grandmother who passed away. He might as well have been lead actor in the film, as his nuanced and raw portrayal allowed the audience to see behind his no-filter free-spirit nature and childish humour, concealing how he grapples with his grief.
Going into A Real Pain, I had only ever watched Culkin in Home Alone, in which he played alongside his real-life brother Macaulay as Fuller. The iconic clip where his character smirks after being told “Fuller, go easy on the Pepsi” was humorously included in Kristen Bell’s montage of glimpses of famous actors’ early projects at the SAG Awards. In A Real Pain, the audience sees the extent of Culkin’s acting evolution throughout his career.
Culkin had minor roles in romantic comedy movies such as Father of the Bride and She’s All That, and the role of Scott’s roommate, Wallace in Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. From 2018-2023 , he played Roman Roy in Succession, where elements of Benji’s unfiltered humour can be seen echoed in his character’s snarky nature. It is clear that A Real Pain is a career highlight, showcasing the extent of his range that is not limited to comedic roles. The performance earned him a BAFTA, Golden Globe and SAG Award alongside his Oscar.
In a signature chaotic speech, Culkin had to be censored for swearing, and rushed his speech so to avoid the disappointed look of John Lithgow. He thanked his parents for raising him; “you gave it your best shot,” and told a convoluted but endearing story about how his wife promised him four kids if he won an Oscar, ending with “let’s get cracking on those kids.” His next project is a role in Broadway’s “Glengarry Glen Ross” – will he get one step closer to the coveted EGOT status?
“Kieran Culkin 2024 Emmys 01 (cropped)” by Max is licensed under CC BY 3.0.