Kieran Culkin will receive the Breakthrough Performance Award, Actor for his performance in “A Real Pain” at the Palm Springs International Film Awards.
The Film Awards will take place on Jan. 3 at the Palm Springs Convention Center, and the festival will run Jan. 2-13.
Set in Poland, “A Real Pain” tells the story of two mismatched cousins — Benji (Culkin) and David (Jesse Eisenberg) — who embark on a heartfelt journey to honor the memory of their beloved grandmother. What begins as a virtuous trip becomes a whirlwind of family grudges and unexpected arguments. Directed and written by Eisenberg, the film also features Will Sharpe, Jennifer Grey, Kurt Egyiawan, Liza Sadovy, and Daniel Oreskes.
“Culkin brings remarkable depth to his character — a free spirit whose charm captivates a small tour group, yet who wrestles with the emotions of family loss and a sense of an unfulfilled life. For this complex performance, we present Kieran Culkin with this year’s Breakthrough Performance Award,” Festival Chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi said in a provided statement.
Past recipients of the Breakthrough Performance Award include Mahershala Ali, Austin Butler, Rami Malek, David Oyelowo, and Jeremy Renner. In the years they were honored, Ali and Malek went on to receive Academy Awards, while Butler and Renner received nominations.
Culkin joins this year’s previously announced honorees Adrien Brody (Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actor), “Conclave” (Ensemble Performance Award) presented to actors Ralph Fiennes, Isabella Rossellini, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Lucian Msamati; Colman Domingo (Spotlight Award, Actor); Angelina Jolie (Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actress); Nicole Kidman (International Star Award); Mikey Madison (Breakthrough Performance Award); and “Emilia Pérez” (Vanguard Award) presented to director Jacques Audiard and actors Karla Sofia Gascón, Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez and Edgar Ramírez.
As a child actor, Culkin debuted in the 1990 film “Home Alone,” which starred his older brother and actor Macaulay Culkin. He’s appeared in films such as “Igby Goes Down,” “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World,” “The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys” and more. He won an Emmy Award, Critics Choice Award and Golden Globe in 2024 for his performance as Roman Roy in the HBO series “Succession.” In 2025, he will be featured in the revival of David Mamet’s play “Glengarry Glen Ross” on Broadway.
Brian Blueskye covers arts and entertainment for the Desert Sun. He can be reached at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Kieran Culkin to receive award at Palm Springs film festival
