Jesse Eisenberg: an actor going through changes that would make kafka proud

Every werewolf movie worth its wild howl at the full moon has a metamorphosis sequence. And Jesse Eisenberg admits to enduring quite a few while shooting Wes Craven's Cursed, in which he stars alongside Christina Ricci and Joshua Jackson. "I didn't practice any traditional techniques," Eisenberg says, remembering one instance when black dots were affixed to his stomach for some computer-aided gut wrenching. "You really can't prepare for that kind of movie. It's just so over-the-top all of the time."

Over-the-top is a new turn for Eisenberg, a sapling of a 21-year-old, who first caught the attention of moviegoers with his work in Dylan Kidd's Roger Dodger (2002) as an earnestly awkward virgin out for a night on the town with his pickup-artist uncle. Now he is coming to terms with all the plaudits he received at this year's Sundance Film Festival for his subtle performance in writer-director Noah Baumbach's The Squid and the Whale. In the film, Eisenberg channels a 16-year-old Baumbach, a precocious teen grappling with the divorce of his parents, played by Laura Linney and Jeff Daniels. "I had to audition for [Baumbach], like, seven times," Eisenberg recalls. "All his notes always led in the direction of 'Less like me and more like him.'" The film, however, is far from sappy: "It's hysterical," says Eisenberg. "I always thought it was a comedy, and Noah said he always did too. But everybody walks out of the movie crying."

Now enrolled in Manhattan's New School, the New York native will next star in The Fuck Up, directed by Bob Odenkirk of Mr. Show fame, in which he will play the film's hapless protagonist, who is forced to endure a series of increasing embarrassments. He is also developing a movie based on his own screenplay, a romantic comedy about a petty vigilante, and has become eerily conversant in Hollywood argot. Told that The Squid and the Whale was sold to Samuel Goldwyn Films the day before for the reported (and princely) sum of $4 million, he seems happily incredulous. "Is that true? Wow. I have to call my agent."

Sam Schechner is a Brooklyn-based writer. Above: Clothes and belt by GUESS? Hair products by KIEHL'S. Styling: CATHENE BARROW, Grooming: LOSI/The Wall Group, Fashion details page 157, Photos: NICOLAS WAGNER.

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