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The Debut

Play trailer 2:24 Poster for The Debut R In Theaters Dec 11 1h 45m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 11 Reviews Popcornmeter 0 Verified Ratings
When Mona Friedman is cast in a bit part at a small community theater, she transforms from a shy, unassuming housewife into a zealous method actor willing to do anything to protect the artistic integrity of her marginal role--even if it means waging war against the show's domineering director.
Coming Soon In Theaters Dec 11 Notify Me

Cast & Crew

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Jesse Eisenberg

Director

Julianne Moore

Mona Friedman

Paul Giamatti

Jerry

Halle Bailey

Stef

Jesse Eisenberg

Todd

Cara Buono

Cassie

Critics Reviews

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Kyle Smith Wall Street Journal 2 days ago
A comedy crowd-pleaser, which is likely to earn Julianne Moore her sixth Oscar nomination, was writer-director-actor Jesse Eisenberg’s third feature, the brightly amusing The Debut. Go to Full Review Cortlyn Kelly IndieWire 6 days ago
B
Eisenberg bolsters the platform and power of community theaters, and in doing so, he successfully showcases appreciation for the small spaces that birth future stars. Go to Full Review Angie Han The Hollywood Reporter Sep 6, 2026
Maybe it’s not everything it could be. But as I howled over the lengths Mona would go to for the sake of what Jerry unkindly but accurately points out is, in the end, just some “thankless tertiary character,” it felt like more than enough. Go to Full Review Sophia Ciminello AwardsWatch 3 days ago
A-
It’s a complex, titanic performance from Moore, who frequently reminds audiences that when she doesn’t have a safety net, she’s one of the best actresses alive. Go to Full Review Joey Magidson Awards Radar Sep 6, 2026
3.5/4
The Debut is a magnificently entertaining and absurd work from Jesse Eisenberg with a superb Julianne Moore turn. Go to Full Review Daniel Howat Next Best Picture Sep 6, 2026
7/10
While not everything works as flawlessly as it did in "A Real Pain," Eisenberg clearly has leveled up as a director and is full of admiration for anyone who can dig deeper and pour themselves out for their art. Go to Full Review Read all reviews
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The Debut

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The Debut

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Movie Info

Synopsis When Mona Friedman is cast in a bit part at a small community theater, she transforms from a shy, unassuming housewife into a zealous method actor willing to do anything to protect the artistic integrity of her marginal role--even if it means waging war against the show's domineering director.
Director
Jesse Eisenberg
Producer
Jesse Eisenberg, Ali Herting, Dave McCary, Emma Stone
Screenwriter
Jesse Eisenberg
Distributor
A24
Production Co
A24, Fruit Tree, Topic Studios
Rating
R (Brief Drug Use|Some Sexual References|Language)
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 11, 2026, Limited
Runtime
1h 45m
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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