The Debut

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The Debut

R

In Theaters Dec 11

1h 45m

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

91%

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78 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.

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In Theaters Dec 11

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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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Jesse Eisenberg

Director

Julianne Moore

Mona Friedman

Paul Giamatti

Jerry

Halle Bailey

Stef

Jesse Eisenberg

Todd

Cara Buono

Cassie

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.

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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.

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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.

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Ana Yorke

PopMatters

5 hrs ago

Eisenberg can only be applauded for taking a cliched story, a spoof, no less, and turning it into a thing of wonder through the respect and consideration he awards his characters.

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Dallas King

Flick Feast

15 hrs ago

4/5

Someone in the Academy is probably already engraving Moore’s name on the Best Actress Oscar.

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Jack Martin

Film Feeder

1 day ago

4.5/5

A hugely enjoyable and very funny film that celebrates the liberating art of performance while also taking aim at those who take their passion way, way too far.

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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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