A24 has released the first trailer for “The Debut,” Jesse Eisenberg’s directorial follow-up to “A Real Pain.” The musical comedy is scheduled for release this fall, with multiple reports also indicating a later 2026 release date. The film centers on Mona Friedman, played by Julianne Moore, a shy housewife who is cast in a bit part in a local community theatre production. Once involved, Mona becomes more involved in the show’s world and grapples with the influence of a strong-willed and enigmatic director, played by Paul Giamatti, setting up an uneasy dynamic between Mona and the director. The trailer and coverage describe the story as a backstage look at community theatre, including a shift in Mona’s approach to acting that leads her to transform into a more intense, method-leaning performer. Eisenberg is credited as writer and director, and the cast also includes Halle Bailey, along with other supporting performers such as Cara Buono, Craig Bierko, Bernadette Peters, and Eldar Isgandarov, among those mentioned in the reporting.
A24 Releases First Trailer for Jesse Eisenberg’s Musical Comedy The Debut
A24 has released the first trailer for “The Debut,” Jesse Eisenberg’s directorial follow-up to “A Real Pain.” The musical comedy is scheduled for release this fall, with multiple reports also indicati...
- A24 releases the first trailer for “The Debut,” directed by Jesse Eisenberg.
- The film stars Julianne Moore as Mona Friedman and Paul Giamatti as the community theatre director.
- The story follows Mona, a shy housewife, who is cast in a small community theatre production and changes as a result.
- “The Debut” is described as an R-rated musical comedy and is Eisenberg’s follow-up to “A Real Pain.”
- Other cast members mentioned across reports include Halle Bailey and Bernadette Peters, along with additional supporting performers.
Written, directed and starring Jesse Eisenberg, the film has been backed by A24, and also features Halle Bailey, Cara Buono, Craig Bierko and Eldar Isgandarov in pivotal roles
2 months agoThe Debut follows a woman (Julianne Moore) who joins a small community theatre production, where she has to face an irascible director (Paul Giamatti).
2 months ago"When I saw you up there, I just thought... 'I wish that was me.'" A24 has revealed the first official trailer for The Debut, a brand new musical comedy riff on the community theater scene. This is the next film both written & directed by maestro Jesse Eisenberg, who earned Oscar nominations for his last feature film A Real Pain. A24 is releasing this later in 2026 but we're not sure if it'll premiere at any festivals before it opens. A shy housewife is unexpectedly cast in a local production of an original musical. Under the spell of the strong-willed and enigmatic director, she loses herself in the role and also in the high-stakes world of this community theater production, transforming into a method actor. The film stars Julianne Moore as the star, Paul Giamatti as the director, Halle Bailey, Havana Rose Liu, Colton Ryan, Lilli Cooper, Maulik Pancholy, and Bernadette Peters. This reminds me of the other film about how local theater changes people called Ghostlight. Looks terrific! Eisenberg's distinct filmmaking is always worth watching. Here's the first official trailer (+ posters) for Jesse Eisenberg's film The Debut, direct from YouTube: When Mona Friedman (starring Julianne Moore) is cast in a bit part at a small community theater, she transforms from a shy, unassuming housewife into a zealous method […]
2 months agoGiamatti, Halle Bailey, and Eisenberg himself star in his first writing/directing project since "A Real Pain."
2 months agoA24 has unveiled the first trailer for The Debut, Jesse Eisenberg’s directorial follow-up to Oscar winner A Real Pain, where he stars alongside Julianne Moore and Paul Giamatti. Slated for release this fall, The Debut is an R-rated musical comedy centered on Mona Friedman (Moore), who when cast in a bit part at a small community theater, transforms from […]
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