Julianne Moore Takes Center Stage in New Look at Jesse Eisenberg’s ‘The Debut’

Jesse Eisenberg’s ‘The Debut’ is shaping up to be one of A24’s most charming releases of the holiday season. The film marks Eisenberg’s third outing as a director, following the acclaim he earned for ‘A Real Pain’, and it trades road-trip drama for the chaotic world of community theater.

The project has been building buzz for a while. Deadline first announced in November 2024 that Eisenberg would write and direct a musical comedy starring Julianne Moore and Paul Giamatti, and A24 later boarded the film while adding more names to the cast. A first trailer arrived in June, introducing audiences to its quirky backstage world.

Now A24 has released a new look at the film ahead of its theatrical debut. The fresh official trailer highlights the movie’s starry ensemble, led by Moore, Giamatti, Halle Bailey and Havana Rose Liu.

The trailer’s key image captures the film’s playful tone. It shows the full community theater troupe gathered for a cheerful group shot, with Giamatti at the center in a blue suit, Moore smiling beside him, and one cast member striking a dramatic pose on the floor while holding a sign.

Audiences won’t have to wait long. ‘The Debut’ opens in theaters on December 11. The story follows a woman who throws herself completely into a small role. A24 describes Moore’s Mona Friedman as a shy, unassuming housewife who lands a bit part at a small community theater and transforms into a zealous method actor.

New look at Jesse Eisenberg’s ‘THE DEBUT’ starring Julianne Moore, Paul Giamatti, Halle Bailey and Havana Rose Liu. In theaters this December https://t.co/8VEZwgB1NX

— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) November 10, 2026

Her commitment quickly gets out of hand. Mona becomes 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, played by Giamatti.

The earlier trailer hinted at just how intense that rivalry becomes. IndieWire described Moore’s character as falling under the sway and mental tyranny of Giamatti’s strong-willed director.

Make a scene. THE DEBUT in theaters this December. Illustrated by: Suren Galadjian and Walter Gutierrez https://t.co/HQigmj6ZVq

— A24 (@A24) November 10, 2026

The ensemble is packed with talent. Alongside Moore, Giamatti, Bailey and Liu, the film features Bernadette Peters, Bonnie Milligan, Colton Ryan, Lilli Cooper, Maulik Pancholy, Cara Buono, Craig Bierko and Eldar Isgandarov.

Eisenberg also appears on screen. The casting of Peters feels especially fitting for a movie about the theater, as she is a 3-time Tony honoree. The film draws on Eisenberg’s own stage background. Beyond screen roles like ‘The Social Network’ and ‘A Real Pain’, he has written stage plays including ‘The Spoils’, ‘The Revisionist’, ‘Asuncion’ and ‘Happy Talk’.

He took on even more for this project. Eisenberg wrote and directed the R-rated musical comedy and also composed its original music. The creative team includes some notable names. The film is produced by A24, Topic Studios and Fruit Tree, with Emma Stone and Dave McCary among the producers.

There’s a method to the madness. The Debut, a show-stopping new comedy from writer-director Jesse Eisenberg starring Julianne Moore and Paul Giamatti, opens in theaters this Fall. https://t.co/EOyq9cBd5Y

— A24 (@A24) June 23, 2026

‘The Debut’ also marks a familiar pairing. It is Eisenberg’s second collaboration with A24 after ‘When You Finish Saving the World’, which also starred Moore. With Moore leading as a timid woman who becomes an obsessive performer and Giamatti as her unyielding director, the film promises plenty of laughs and backstage chaos. Some outlets have even described it as one of A24’s more intriguing awards-season plays.

As the holidays approach, ‘The Debut’ offers a quirky alternative to the season’s blockbusters. For fans of theater, Eisenberg’s sharp comedy or Moore’s range, it looks like a must-see this December.

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