The 2025 Oscars are one of the most anticipated events in Hollywood. This year, Kieran Culkin is set to make history by winning the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in A Real Pain. This victory will break a 12-year streak in the Academy Awards, making his win even more special.
Contents
- 1 Why Kieran Culkin Win is Historic
- 2 Kieran Culkin’s Journey to the Oscars
- 3 How Kieran Culkin’s Performance Stands Out
- 4 Who Are the Other Best Supporting Actor Nominees?
- 5 Breaking the 12-Year Streak
- 6 How Kieran Culkin Dominated Awards Season
- 7 Why Kieran Culkin Deserves the Oscar
- 8 What Winning an Oscar Means for Kieran Culkin
- 9 Verdict
Why Kieran Culkin Win is Historic
If Kieran Culkin wins Best Supporting Actor, he will be the first winner in this category since 2011 to come from a movie that wasn’t nominated for Best Picture. The last time this happened was in 2011, when Christopher Plummer won for Beginners. Since then, every Best Supporting Actor winner has been from a Best Picture nominee.
This makes Culkin’s victory even more unique. His role in A Real Pain has been praised for its emotional depth and comic timing, making it one of his best performances.
Kieran Culkin’s Journey to the Oscars
Early Career and Rise to Fame
Kieran Culkin started his career as a child actor in movies like Home Alone, alongside his brother Macaulay Culkin. Over the years, he transitioned to more serious roles, gaining recognition for his work in indie films and TV series.
However, his biggest breakthrough came with HBO’s hit series Succession. His role as Roman Roy earned him Golden Globe Awards, SAG Awards, and Critics Choice Awards. This success led him to A Real Pain, which has now put him in the Oscar race.
The Role in A Real Pain
In A Real Pain, Kieran Culkin plays Benji, a character who goes on an emotional journey through Poland with his cousin, played by Jesse Eisenberg. The movie explores themes of family, history, and personal struggles, making it a strong contender in the Hollywood awards season.
How Kieran Culkin’s Performance Stands Out
Many critics and Oscar predictors believe that Kieran Culkin has given the best performance of his career in A Real Pain. His acting has been described as:
- Heartbreaking and hilarious at the same time.
- Raw and authentic, making the audience connect with his character.
- A perfect balance of drama and comedy.
This has helped him dominate the awards circuit, winning at SAG Awards, BAFTA Awards, and Critics Choice Awards. His Oscars 2025 nomination was expected, and his precursor awards sweep makes him the clear frontrunner.
Who Are the Other Best Supporting Actor Nominees?
The Best Supporting Actor category at the Oscars 2025 is highly competitive. Here are the other nominees:
| Actor | Movie Title |
|---|---|
| Guy Pearce | The Convert |
| Edward Norton | The Beautiful Game |
| Jeremy Strong | The Trial |
| Robert Downey Jr. | Oppenheimer |
| Kieran Culkin | A Real Pain |
Despite the tough competition, Kieran Culkin remains the favorite to win.
Breaking the 12-Year Streak
What Was the Streak?
From 2012 to 2024, every Best Supporting Actor winner came from a Best Picture nominee. Some of the past winners include:
| Year | Best Supporting Actor Winner | Movie (Best Picture Nominee) |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Robert Downey Jr. | Oppenheimer |
| 2023 | Ke Huy Quan | Everything Everywhere All at Once |
| 2022 | Troy Kotsur | CODA |
| 2019 | Mahershala Ali | Green Book |
| 2018 | Sam Rockwell | Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri |
Since A Real Pain was not nominated for Best Picture, Kieran Culkin’s win will break this long-running trend.
How Kieran Culkin Dominated Awards Season
To win an Oscar, actors must go through the awards season, competing at different events. Here’s how Culkin performed at major awards:
- Golden Globes 2025: Won Best Supporting Actor
- SAG Awards 2025: Won Best Supporting Actor
- Critics Choice Awards 2025: Won Best Supporting Actor
- BAFTA Awards 2025: Won Best Supporting Actor
This clean sweep has made him the strong favorite to win at the Academy Awards 2025.
Why Kieran Culkin Deserves the Oscar
Many people believe that Kieran Culkin deserves the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for several reasons:
- His Performance: A Real Pain showcases his best work so far.
- Award Wins: He has won almost every major acting award leading up to the Oscars.
- Critical Acclaim: Critics have praised his emotional depth and authentic portrayal.
- Breaking the Streak: His win will make Oscars history.
What Winning an Oscar Means for Kieran Culkin
Winning an Oscar is the highest honor in Hollywood. If Kieran Culkin wins, it will:
- Cement his place as one of Hollywood’s top actors.
- Open doors for more leading roles.
- Increase his net worth and industry influence.
- Make A Real Pain more popular, attracting new audiences.
Verdict
The Oscars 2025 will be a historic moment for Kieran Culkin. His performance in A Real Pain has won hearts worldwide, and his Best Supporting Actor win will break a 12-year streak in the Academy Awards history. With an award-winning season sweep, his Oscar victory seems almost certain.
Stay tuned for the Oscars night highlights and watch history being made as Kieran Culkin takes home his first Academy Award!
