A One Mann’s Movies review of “The Debut”. (From the 2026 London Film Festival). (2026, 5*, NR).
It’s taken me over a week to finally complete my write-up of my LFF reviews for 2026: I have a real life too! But what a tremendous way to finish my LFF for 2026. The last of the 45 films I’ve seen at this year’s festival was The Debut, the latest from Jesse Eisenburg (who also appears in the film). I absolutely loved his last film – A Real Pain – that showed at last year’s LFF and went on to be one of my films of the year. I think The Debut is set to follow in that tradition.
The film also managed a ‘first ever’ event, in my 60+ years experience of going to the cinema!
One Mann’s Movies Rating:
Plot:
Quiet housewife Mona (Julianne Moore) has become a supporting role in her own life; her husband barely acknowledges her presence and their children are on the cusp of fleeing the nest. So when, on an impulse, she auditions for a local production of an original musical, Mona suddenly finds herself in the spotlight when she is cast in a leading role, as Miss Danielle. However, she is unprepared for the theatrical hurricane that is Jerry (Paul Giamatti), her enigmatic director and the ‘biggest name in New Jersey community theatre’. As she continues to be creatively pushed by him, Mona finds herself going to extreme lengths to unlock her character.
Certification:
UK: NR; US: NR. (This film has not yet received a classification by the BBFC, but I would expect it to be a 15 based on strong language.)
Talent:
Starring: Julianne Moore, Paul Giamatti, Halle Bailey, Jesse Eisenberg, Cara Buono, Bernadette Peters, K. Todd Freeman, Eldar Isgandarov, Patrick Fabian.
Directed by: Jesse Eisenberg.
Written by: Jesse Eisenberg.
Running Time: 1h 45m.
Review:
Positives:
- This is one of those rare films that had me smiling from the outset and kept me smiling throughout. It’s a perfect piece of comical drama anchored by a truly stellar performance by Julianne Moore. I have to admit that Moore hasn’t always been my favourite actress in the world. But here, she absolutely nails the role turning in a performance that must SURELY get her an acting nomination at the upcoming Oscars and – you heard it here first – I predict it WILL win the Best Actress Oscar come next March.
- And so to that ‘cinema first’ for me: I am British; I live in England. Unlike the stories I sometimes hear of US cinema audiences, we don’t whoop and holler our way through movies. We sit in reserved silence, acknowledging that our movie-going-fellows also want to watch the movie in peace and quiet to fully enjoy it. OK, if it is a comedy film, some laughter is permitted, and indeed welcomed. If it’s a horror film, the odd gasp or shriek is permitted during a scary bit. But ‘everything in moderation’. Outside of Film Festival showings, where a final round of applause is more common, applause is very, very occasionally heard from an audience at the end titles if the film has been exceptional The one thing that has NEVER (to my memory) happened is for an actor to receive a spontaneous round of applause from the whole audience for their sheer acting talent in delivering a scene. This is what happened for a scene in this film, which (were it not for its enormously sweary content) would surely be Julianne Moore’s Oscar reel moment. You’ll know it when you get to it. It is a truly amazing tirade and a fabulous movie moment.
- Rather overshadowed by Moore’s performance, but still utterly exceptional, is Paul Giamatti’s authoritarian Jerry: a perfect piece of casting. Jerry rules his cast with a rod of iron, handing out praise for the good and brick-bats for the bad (which seems to be all heading Mona’s way as she starts her rehearsals). Jerry is an interesting character, with a backstory we never fully learn: living alone above the theatre, we find he has a softer centre than would appear at first sight. But he is a bit of a man of mystery. Although its a hugely competitive year, a Supporting Actor nomination for Giamatti wouldn’t surprise me.
- Also personable and fun is The Little Mermaid‘s Halle Bailey playing Stef, the lead in the play. Eldar Isgandarov adds comic value as the stage assistant Piotr: “Jerry pushes hard in rehearsals… so eat a banana”. And belting out the show’s opening number is the legendary Tony-award-winner Bernadette Peters, highlighting just how big the gap is between Mona’s talent and the requirement.
- The script is whip-smart and smashes the 6-laugh test. I described in my title that this was ‘Shirley Valentine-esque’, and that was the classic stage play / film (with the late Pauline Collins) that this reminded me of. Mona is a bit of a spare wheel after her kids have grown up and her husband treats her as something of a doormat. Even when she steps out of her comfort zone and auditions for the play, and wins it, her husband Howard (Patrick Fabian) shows no interest. Mona could echo the frustration of Galena in Minotaur, the film I just reviewed, in shouting to the heavens “Where’s me?” Possibly another Oscar nomination for Eisenberg’s screenplay, making it the double with A Real Pain?
- I felt like Jesse Eisenberg was really just showing off when I got to the end titles and saw the music section. Not only did he excel here in the writing, the directing and his small acting part: he also wrote the musical – “Nosy Neighbors” – within the film! The songs are cheesy and delicious and so good that I’m sure there are calls for him to ACTUALLY put this show on for real: I’d pay good money to go and see it!
Negatives:
- I was a little confused that Todd (Jesse Eisenberg) seems to appear from nowhere mid-film, when we hadn’t seen him at all in the earlier rehearsals. I wonder if this was a bit of an afterthought, when he decided he could play the scene better than the guy they contracted? He’s obviously brilliant. But it’s a bit odd.
- Efforts at plumbing to try to fix a dripping tap are laughably random: tightening a pipe union under the sink!!! Why was this so stupid?
Summary Thoughts:
An utter delight, this will be a big hit when it gets released. I can’t wait to see it again and introduce the Illustrious Mrs Movie Mann to it.
The Debut is due to get its US release on December 11th 2026 and its UK release on 15th January 2027.
Where to watch?
Trailer:
The trailer for the film is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clyzHmBx43E.
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