The Spoils

by Jesse Eisenberg

Eisenberg’s third play The Spoils cements his reputation as a talented playwright whose tragicomic work explores questions of American privilege and the nature of family and relationships. Eisenberg will star in the New York production of The Spoils in the Spring of 2015, directed by Scott Elliott for the New Group’s inaugural season at the Pershing Square Signature Center.

Nobody likes Ben. Ben doesn't even like Ben. He’s been kicked out of grad school, lives off his parents’ money, and bullies everyone in his life, including his roommate, an earnest Nepalese immigrant. When Ben discovers that his grade school crush is marrying a straight-laced banker, he sets out to destroy their relationship and win her back. The Spoils is a deeply personal and probing comedy written by one of America’s most interesting writer-thespians.

Genres: Plays, Fiction, Drama, Theatre

74 pages, Paperback

First published April 14, 2015

About the author

Jesse Adam Eisenberg is an American actor, playwright, author, and humorist. He has played featured or starring roles in films such as The Squid and the Whale (2005), Adventureland (2009), Zombieland (2009), and The Social Network (2010).

Eisenberg was born in New York City and was raised in East Brunswick Township, New Jersey. After graduating from high school, he studied anthropology at The New School in Greenwich Village, New York City. He majored in liberal arts, with a concentration in Democracy and Cultural Pluralism.

Reviews

[Amy Staniforth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I reread the play today after having seen it last month at Trafalgar Studios. Jesse Eisenberg has created, in the character Ben, both a intensely dislikable and simultaneously heartbreaking character. Ben, much like 'The Spoils' at large, was not (for me) easily shaken off. For me, this is a sign of a good piece of writing. Little about 'The Spoils' is easily forgettable.

Like so many other Eisenberg creations Ben is a character on edge - speaking quickly, almost philosophically, and all the time moving jerkily. The character swings from pole to pole: just as the reader, or audience, feels like they perhaps understand him just a little, we are suddenly diverted again by an inappropriate comment or action from Ben.

There are some lovely, meta moments - such as when Eisenberg has Ben describe a convincing protagonist. He says that, for an audience to engage with a protagonist, they can not be immediately likeable: an author must give them a way to build and grow. This is exactly what Eisenberg has done with the character of Ben himself.

In the theatre this was laugh-out-loud funny in places, troubling in others and deeply moving elsewhere. This translates well to the page, too, although in the reading of a script it is difficult to account for the quiet moments in the play which convey so much of the emotion.

It has only been in rereading the script that I have come to understand Ben better as a character: my immediate thoughts upon leaving the theatre were that he was a deeply troubled character in need of support from those close to him (such as his roommate, Kalyan, another well written and well rounded character). Other reviews suggest he is a selfish, arrogant young man. The play itself, unlike the script, finishes with Billy Joel's 'Summer, Highland Falls' playing; a song about bipolar disorder. And it is here that we come to better understand this fragile and troubled character.

A darkly comic script, but one so full of heart.

[Doug · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anyone who has seen Eisenberg on film knows he is inventive, funny and obviously intelligent (albeit always somewhat typecast as an obnoxious know-it-all), and those equalities are also quite evident in his plays. Had I read this even 6 months ago, I'd be tempted to give it 4 stars, but in these days of heightened awareness around the issues of sexual harassment, I am really torn - since BOTH female characters undergo forms of sexual assault from the main character (played by Eisenberg in its premiere). And said character not only details a pretty disgusting fantasy revolving around childhood coprophilia not once, but twice... and then attempts to carry it out in that second assault. Since Eisenberg works with a women's domestic violence center, one has to assume he deplores such actions ... but one comes away from the play with an uneasy queasy feeling nonetheless.

[Sophia Frances · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eisenberg writes dialogue the same way he speaks. A little dense and overwhelming at times but deeply emotional and intelligent. Finding out 3 of characters were from Princeton Junction in the last scene felt like a plot twist to me

[Brian D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to read more plays this year!
3.5 rounded up to 4
I liked The Spoils, mostly because the dialogue is so sharp, witty, clever. The main character is a horrible person, but the moment at the end (spoiler alert) when he realizes someone remembers something good about him as a child was lovely and has me thinking about how this information will transform the character after the events of the play are over. Wasn't crazy about some of the racist jokes and flippant use of the word faggot, I get that they informed the audience who this character was, but they didn't age well imo, hard to read at any rate.

[Daniel Vaca · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's a line I really like: "It is selfish to tell someone that kind of stuff when they're not in a place to reciprocate." The Ben character in this is really unpleasant. I feel like the same goals could have been achieved by toning his actions down a bit because it casts a pall over the whole thing. The ending saves it, but just barely. Modern plays really like their characters god-awful, don't they?

[sophia · Rating 3 out of 5]

fairly entertaining read, though would probably be better to watch.

humor is sharp and witty and nothing short of what i expect from jesse eisenberg, but his character was so incredulously unlikeable that i almost wondered how it would read to an audience to see someone like this on stage.... satirical or realistic? the tone is flexible, but vague imo.

i did tear up at the last page. i wish there was more of that throughout.

[meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting character dynamics. Ben is how I think other people treat me and think of me every second of my life since moving, and it is as funny as it is accurate and frustrating.

Above all his bigotry, self-righteousness and egomania is the need for love and acceptance and it desperately claws its way to the surface as the play goes on. His moments of vulnerability are shockingly, uncomfortably sad, especially with the whiplash that comes with what an asshole he was a line ago.

Kalyan is a great character, I really see myself in him not like I'm a very sweet and intelligent person but like how he is treated by Ben and how he approaches his life in America as an immigrant. Oh woe is me.

Wish I could see this live! Highly unlikely though.

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the second play by Jesse Eisenberg I have read, and the consistent pattern is he writes unlikeable, frustrating and unsympathetic characters seeking some sort of redemption or a sense of belonging, without really changing anything about themselves. There is no character arc, revelation or journey to an end point. The reader/viewer has to decide if they think the unlikeable jerky character is worth redeeming, even though the character self-indulgently does nothing to grow. Eisenberg writes the smug a-hole character he oftentimes plays. There are at least three unpleasant characters in the play, and at least two are pathetic. If you want a play to hate-read, go for this one.

[Mandee · Rating 4 out of 5]

jesse eisenberg really does know how to write a truly awful little guy, my god. it's really interesting to read this now and see the seeds of things he fully developed in a real pain--there are absolutely parts of benji that come from the characters here. it's a little too uneven to give 5 stars, but he's got a way with characters and really knows how to stick a landing.

[BreeAnna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jesse Eisenberg know show to play a dick and do it well.

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. freaky ass mf

[ioana · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Zack · Rating 2 out of 5]

Setting: Ben’s apartment, New York City
Genre: Drama/Comedy Length: 2 acts; 67 pages Cast Size: 3 M, 2 W
Basis: Original Adaptations: None
Productions: Off-Broadway (June 2015), West End (June 2016)
Accolades: None at time

Story:
“Nobody likes Ben. Ben doesn’t even like Ben. He’s been kicked out of grad school, lives off his parents’ money, and bullies everyone in his life, including his roommate Kalyan, an earnest Nepalese immigrant. When Ben discovers that his grade school crush is marrying a straight-laced banker, he sets out to destroy their relationship and win her back.”

On the Writing:
- Some of Ben’s vulgarity and crassness was a bit too much for me; done with purpose and often acknowledged by others but still not a fan of some of it
- Did not find Ben to be likable, but found him to be relatable; which may have been the point
- Could definitely see that Eisenberg wrote Ben with himself in min
- Humor was very intelligent, often reminiscent of Bit Bang Theory; very much “Jesse Eisenberg” humor
- Much of the political and social commentary and character’s relationships were relatable despite some of the higher-level
- Aside from intelligent characters and dialogue, not much in terms of an original story
For Directing/Casting:
- Kalyan requires an actor to look as if they are from Nepal, Reshma of Indian descent
- No specific ages given for characters, but should be 20s-30s for all
- Shouldn’t be too challenging for directors; great for a younger, less experienced director if working with a relatively experienced cast

For Acting:
- Ben would be a fun role for an actor, Kalyan can could be too
- Roles for females are all right, not too much depth

For Producing/Audiences:
- Fairly low budget due to one set, only typical household props, and everyday costumes
- Set is described as a "modern apartment", no specific description given
- Projection capabilities needed for PowerPoint presentation and film clips
- Material more relevant for those 20s + and for more educated audiences
- Language, smoking, and drinking done by characters
- Need to be able to make a film clip involving other people (and dog) outside of the cast

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

TW: SA
I’m a sucker for a tragicomedy. I appreciate the simplicity of only having a few characters and making each of them complex and developing their traits throughout the play. Not every main character is a protagonist and Ben represents that. I wanted to like him and hate him but there’s just a lot of pity I feel for him. Act two really grabs you and drags you in before you know it. I couldn’t stop reading, and if I did, this play was all I could think about. Some scenes were hard to get through content wise. This play makes me want to do a case study on Ben. Especially relating to men of this decade and their relationships with women (specifically in a power dynamic way).

[nevaeh galluccio · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for my acting class where I’m playing Sarah for the scene between Ben and Sarah and I’m truly shocked at how unlikeable Ben is. His obsession with Sarah honestly makes sense because of the huge contrast of her true kindness. I just feel kind of bad for every character that has to deal with him, especially Kalyan. Every other character was much more compelling to me than Ben, even Ted. I can fully visualize Jesse Eisenberg playing Ben without having ever seen the play because he always seems to play assholes.

[Newly Wardell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didnt like this one much. I'm secretly pleased as punch to finally find a play from Eisenberg that didnt resonate. His characters are usually so multifaceted and interesting not so much here. In his focus on nailing one character all the other characters serve as background fodder. Either they are enabling the one character or reacting to his lunacy.

[Erica Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never knew it was possible to hate and love a character so much. It breaks my heart in the best possible way. But, I'm not sure I will ever be able to erase Ben...and I'm not sure that I really want to.

[Emma Buckett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved seeing this play and by reading the script, I managed to recapture some of the feeling. This play is hilariously funny but also incredibly emotional. I cannot explain how fantastic it was to see.

[Matthew · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sometimes funny, sometimes sad; I have met these characters. I think Eisenberg can do better though; the writing was a bit heavy-handed and, unfortunately, I didn't find the play to have a strong overall message or theme.

[Lani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually liked this play a lot more than I thought I would. It's a bit pretentious, but the dialogue is really well written and (most) of the characters are really wonderfully written.

[Emi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I

[Marc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the humor.

[bks · Rating 4 out of 5]

so much tension in this play. sometimes I am almost too embarrassed for the characters and I couldn't turn the age, but I also really want to know what happens to them.

[Angel Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

It had some great funny lines, but the story overall was pretty plain/boring. But since it’s a short read I’d say it’s worth it for those sharp humorous moments.

[Mehmet Mustafa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored it, Eisenberg uses his inventive wit to create one of the best plays ever written in my opinion, I place him in the same class as Neil Simon as a writer, I bloody adoooore it!!!!!!!!

[Alexandria]

I did not finish it. I am a massive mood reader and it just isn't for me right now. However I hope to pick it back up some day.

[Remy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plz someone get me a boot of this show

[Aarav · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jesse Eisenberg wrote himself the most Jesse Eisenberg role possible

[Brooks Whitlock · Rating 2 out of 5]

no

[Elizabeth Dilts · Rating 2 out of 5]

i love jesse but wow this is vile.