Jesse Eisenberg’s directorial follow-up “The Debut” premiered at the Telluride Film Festival with Julianne Moore delivering a career-best performance that drew spontaneous mid-scene applause from the audience, according to Variety’s review from the Saturday afternoon screening.
Moore plays Mona Friedman, a meek New Jersey housewife who is unexpectedly cast in a community theater production and transforms into a zealous method actor willing to wage war over a marginal role. The film, set in the world of local theater and featuring an original musical called “Nosy Neighbors,” explores what happens when an unremarkable person attacks a bit part as if it were the role of a lifetime.
The performance marks a significant moment for Moore, who is a five-time Oscar nominee with a single win for “Still Alice” in 2015. According to Variety, Moore “plays it balls to the wall, fearless in the way of Natalie Portman or Cate Blanchett at full tilt,” and the critic notes that a sixth nomination is automatic, with the win depending on how voters respond. The modern Academy has grown comfortable handing out second and third acting Oscars in recent years, with Anthony Hopkins, Emma Stone, Frances McDormand, and Sean Penn all receiving multiple statuettes.
Paul Giamatti plays Jerry, the tyrannical director of the community production, in a role that Deadline’s Pete Hammond calls “tailor made” for the actor. Giamatti, one of the most admired actors of his generation, has never won an Oscar despite critical acclaim, with his performance in “Sideways” noted as a notable snub. In “The Debut,” he has what Hammond describes as the flashier, more quotable role, with a line reading that drew particular praise: “That’s where everyone wants to be … center stage.”
Eisenberg wrote and directed the film, which is his third feature as a director following “When You Finish Saving the World” and “A Real Pain,” the latter earning him a screenplay nomination and winning Kieran Culkin an Oscar for supporting actor. According to Deadline, Eisenberg also wrote all the Broadway-style songs in the film, including “The City May Have Chewed Me Up (But It Can’t Spit Me Out),” and gives himself a small song-and-dance role.
Variety describes the film as “Call it Eisenberg’s ‘Black Swan’ by way of ‘Whiplash’ and ‘Waiting for Guffman,'” noting that it is funny, then feral, then unexpectedly moving. Deadline’s Hammond called it “the funniest comedy of the year,” with Moore’s performance during an intense rehearsal scene earning such pervasive laughter that the audience broke into sustained applause. The scene involves Mona attempting to deliver meaning to the line “your rent is due,” building to increasingly obscene variations that demonstrate Moore’s comedic timing.
The film also features Broadway talent including Bernadette Peters in a cameo, along with K. Todd Freeman, Colton Ryan, and Bonnie Milligan. Emma Stone, who produces the film, is among the producers alongside Dave McCary and Eisenberg. A24 will release “The Debut” on December 11, 2026, a release date that signals the studio’s confidence in its awards potential—A24 has twice turned unlikely films into Best Picture winners with “Moonlight” and “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”
Sources
- Variety — Clayton Davis review of “The Debut” premiere at Telluride; Moore’s Oscar history and performance reception; Giamatti’s career and role in the film; Eisenberg’s filmography and writing of songs.
- Deadline — Pete Hammond review of “The Debut” premiere; Moore’s character arc and comedic performance; Giamatti’s role and line readings; Eisenberg’s directorial approach and songwriting; supporting cast details; A24 release date.
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Hello, I’m Atlas. I explore the latest musical releases for you and guide you to your next sonic favorites.