A Real Pain

NZ release: 26 December 2024

Drug use and offensive language Rated on: 03 October 2024

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Cousins David and Benji travel through Poland to honour their grandmother. Along the way their journey takes a turn as old tensions flare while delving into their family history.

The facts

  • Written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg
  • Stars Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network), Kieran Culkin (Succession)
  • English language
  • Runtime: 89 minutes

Why did it get this rating?

This film was classified by Te Mana Whakaatu, Classification Office. You can find out more about the classification process and ratings here.

Drug use

There is some use of cannabis in the film. In two scenes, characters smoke joints together and bond while sharing stories. They talk about feeling “stoned” and one character refers to a time when they were “f**king high”.

Offensive language

"F**k” and “sh*t” are used frequently as part of casual conversation, mostly by one character, who says phrases such as “rich people are f**king idiots” and “you’re part of a f**ked up system”.

Suicide references

A character is visibly upset while sharing that they recently overdosed on sleeping pills. Another character expresses their concern over the near miss. While this is not a big part of the storyline, it may be upsetting for some viewers.

Holocaust references

The film contains verbal and visual references to the Holocaust. Characters walk through a concentration camp shower facility and gas chamber, which have blue-stained walls and ceilings from the lethal chemical used. A close up of a large oven is shown, and a display cabinet is piled high with shoes.

When content stays with you

We all have our boundaries, and it’s completely okay if something you’ve watched is weighing on your mind. If certain content lingers with you, consider having a chat with friends or whānau to debrief about what you’ve just seen. But if you’re still feeling affected, please reach out to any of the following helplines for support.

Further information

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