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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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91% Tomatometer 75 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
The Debut

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Wryly teasing the self-seriousness of community theater while still recognizing the transformative power of the stage, The Debut is an acerbic gem from Jesse Eisenberg, enlivened by Julianne Moore and Paul Giamatti at the peak of their powers.

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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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Coleman Spilde Salon.com Oct 27, 2026
As Eisenberg continues to remind us that this is not Mona’s musical -- that everyone in the cast and crew is just as important as she is -- The Debut starts to sing even more beautifully than it already had. Go to Full Review Robbie Collin Daily Telegraph (UK) Oct 20, 2026
5/5
You are watching a woman who can’t act being played by a woman who very much can, and the result is as psychologically scrambling as it is spiritually elating. Go to Full Review Kevin Maher The Times (UK) Oct 19, 2026
2/5
Much of the movie, alas, is tonally uncertain and Eisenberg, whose direction in A Real Pain was utterly assured, mostly delivers a faltering mishmash, part backstage pillory, part Lynchian nightmare, part luvvie life lesson. Go to Full Review Alistair Ryder Vague Visages 11 hrs ago
The Debut compares to Christopher Guest’s Waiting for Guffman (1996) if it were seen through the eyes of filmmaker Todd Solondz, possessing a mean-spirited cynicism that seeps into an otherwise charming and offbeat small-town comedy. Go to Full Review Stephen Silver The SS Ben Hecht 5 days ago
Not, by any means, a valentine to theater's redemptive power. It’s dark, and sort of nasty. But anyone who’s ever been a theater kid will probably love it Go to Full Review Dionar Hidalgo Algo Más Que Cine Oct 27, 2026
7/10
Julianne Moore shines in Jesse Eisenberg’s witty comedy about art, identity, and reinvention. Despite some implausible turns, her nuanced performance gives this story of a woman finding her voice genuine emotional depth. 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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