StaffJesse Eisenberg, the acclaimed actor best known for portraying Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg in the Oscar-winning 2010 film The Social Network, has spoken out about how his perception of Zuckerberg has evolved over time. In a candid interview with AFP, Eisenberg suggested that the tech mogul had transitioned from an individual with a “sense of righteousness” to someone now “obsessed with avarice and power.”
This revelation comes as Eisenberg himself returns to the spotlight, not only as an actor but also as a filmmaker, with his widely acclaimed Oscar-nominated movie, A Real Pain. The film, which he wrote, directed, and stars in, explores deeply personal themes, including family, history, and mental health, while also showcasing his evolution as a storyteller.
The Social Network and Eisenberg’s Evolving View on Zuckerberg
Back in 2010, Jesse Eisenberg’s portrayal of Mark Zuckerberg earned him worldwide recognition and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. Directed by David Fincher and written by Aaron Sorkin, The Social Network painted Zuckerberg as a socially awkward genius, driven by ambition but largely disconnected from the emotional consequences of his actions.
At the time, Eisenberg approached the role with empathy, believing Zuckerberg’s “sense of righteousness” was a product of his own brilliance. “As an actor, your job is to empathize with the character, not only empathize but justify,” Eisenberg explained. “I was thinking of the character as somebody who was able to understand certain things so much quicker than other people.”
However, 15 years later, Eisenberg’s view has dramatically shifted. With Zuckerberg aligning himself with Donald Trump’s administration, scaling back fact-checking on Facebook, and prioritizing power, Eisenberg now sees him in a new light. “You kind of wonder, like, ‘Oh, so this person didn’t evolve into a profile in courage. This person evolved into somebody obsessed with avarice and power.’” Eisenberg’s reflections highlight a growing disillusionment with tech leaders who once positioned themselves as visionaries but have since become entangled in politics and corporate dominance.
A Real Pain – A Deeply Personal Project
While Eisenberg may have gained fame portraying one of Silicon Valley’s most controversial figures, his latest directorial effort, A Real Pain, takes him in a completely different direction. The film, which premiered at Sundance to critical acclaim, is a dark comedy about two estranged Jewish cousins, David and Benji (played by Eisenberg and Succession star Kieran Culkin), who embark on a Holocaust tour in Poland.
The premise blends historical weight with humor, tackling themes of family, generational trauma, and existential guilt—all while maintaining an accessible and emotional core. “David’s life is very similar to my life… the pills that David takes are the pills that I take,” Eisenberg shared. “But I’ve also been Benji. I’ve been to the depths that Benji has been to emotionally.” This intensely personal connection to the story stems from Eisenberg’s own heritage. The actor and filmmaker traced his family’s roots back to Poland, where his grandparents fled from Nazi persecution. The journey was so profound that Eisenberg even applied for and received Polish nationality after filming, further solidifying his connection to the land and history that inspired the movie.
Despite its weighty subject matter, A Real Pain is filled with humor, largely thanks to the electric chemistry between Eisenberg and Culkin. Critics have praised the film’s sharp dialogue, emotional depth, and refreshing take on Holocaust narratives, which often lean into somber tones rather than balancing tragedy with humor.
“How is it possible that I have self-pity, or that I spend an hour every morning trying to get out of bed, when my grandparents’ generation were two inches away from being slaughtered?” Eisenberg questioned. This sense of “existential guilt” is a major theme in the film, as David and Benji struggle to reconcile their comfortable lives with their family’s tragic history.
Casting Kieran Culkin (Succession) as Benji was a choice Eisenberg initially hesitated over, given that Culkin isn’t Jewish. However, after seeing his comedic timing and raw emotional depth, Eisenberg knew Culkin was the perfect fit. “Once we relieved ourselves of that very specific consideration, he seemed like far and away the only person that could do the part,” Eisenberg explained.
Culkin’s performance has been widely praised, earning him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. His portrayal of Benji is both hilarious and heartbreaking, offering a layered complexity that complements Eisenberg’s own neurotic and self-reflective character.
With A Real Pain, Eisenberg is firmly establishing himself as a director. The film follows his 2022 directorial debut, When You Finish Saving the World, but this time, the reception has been far more enthusiastic. Critics and audiences alike have hailed A Real Pain as a major step forward for Eisenberg, praising his ability to blend humor, history, and emotion seamlessly. “I was directing the movie, sure, but Kieran was leading the day,” Eisenberg admitted. “I would set up a shot, and Kieran would make fun of me and say that the shot was stupid.” This collaborative energy on set translated beautifully onto the screen, making the film feel authentic and deeply human.
Despite his career highs, Eisenberg revealed that nothing in the film industry compares to the happiness he found during the COVID-19 pandemic—not on set, not at award shows, but through volunteering. “I was volunteering every day at this domestic violence shelter that was run by my mother-in-law. And I had never been happier in my life,” he shared. This revelation suggests that Eisenberg’s true fulfillment may lie outside of Hollywood, in work that has a direct, tangible impact on people’s lives.
Jesse Eisenberg has long been known as a sharp, intelligent, and introspective performer, but with A Real Pain, he is proving himself as a director with something to say. His evolving view of Mark Zuckerberg, his deeply personal connection to Jewish history, and his desire to tell stories that resonate all point to an artist who is constantly growing and questioning the world around him. While he may never return to the world of Facebook and Silicon Valley, Eisenberg’s journey into filmmaking—and perhaps even humanitarian work—seems to be just beginning. With A Real Pain gaining awards buzz, it’s clear that Eisenberg’s next chapter in Hollywood is shaping up to be his most profound yet.
