'The Debut' Review: Julianne Moore Is Spectacular As The Desperate Actor Seeking Paul Giamatti's Approval In This Enthralling and Quirky Jesse Eisenberg's Theater Comedy

     Jesse Eisenberg's theater comedy is emboldened by the performances of industry vets, Academy Award winning Actress Julianne Moore and Academy Award nominee Paul Giamatti. What I love about Julianne Moore's character, Mona, is that she's so desperately seeking the approval of Paul Giammti's character, Jerry. As the local production of a theater show comes about Mona is encouraged to join but faces the unstoppable force of Jerry, the overbearing director. The more he does not budge the harder she goes not only for his approval but madness within role she auditioned for. The self imposed pressure makes for interesting drama and the supporting cast feeds into while encouraging Mona, secretly this just makes her anxiety mount. 

      The Debut is written and directed by actor & screenwriter Jesse Eisenberg. With Eisenberg's last film in 2024, in which he wrote and directed, A Real Pain starring himself and Kieran Culkin. Culkin went on to win Best Supporting Actor at the 2025 Oscars. With Eisenberg being nominated for Best Original Screenplay at the 2025 Oscars. Making a turn more into filmmaking and screenwriting Jesse's focus on more slice of life stories. More intimate stories where he makes the mundane into an entertaining drama and he does just that with The Debut. Supporting cast alike with himself once again in his own film, all be it a smaller role where he disappears into he ensemble, Halle Bailey fills out the cast. As the dotting student within this community theater she is a bright light. 

The Debut is set to come to theatres December 11th from A24 produced by Emma Stone. More coming for the 2026 Telluride Film Festival. With buzz from Telluride about this film Julianne Moore is seen as a frontrunner for the 2027 Oscars when it come to a Best Actress nomination and a possible win. Julianne Moore has one previously in the Best Actress category at the 2015 Oscars for her performance in 'Still Alice'.  Paul Giamatti makes a strong case for himself to be in the Best Supporting Actor race for the upcoming Oscars. Although it is becoming increasingly more competitive.