The Debut Closes London Film Festival With U.K. Premiere
Jesse Eisenberg and Julianne Moore introduced the film at the Royal Festival Hall; A24 releases it in theaters on Dec. 11.
The Debut, written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg and starring Julianne Moore, closed the London Film Festival with a screening at the Royal Festival Hall on Sunday night, according to Variety. Eisenberg and Moore introduced the film onstage at its U.K. premiere.
In the film, Moore plays Mona Friedman, a shy New Jersey housewife who auditions for a local theater production of a fictional musical called Nosy Neighbors and is cast as Miss Danielle. Paul Giamatti plays the director, Jerry Blankenbuehler.
The cast also includes Eisenberg, Halle Bailey, Colton Ryan, Bonnie Milligan, Bernadette Peters, Lilli Cooper, Maulik Pancholy and Havana Rose Liu. Eisenberg told the audience that Giamatti could not attend the U.K. premiere because he has COVID-19.
Moore said The Debut was one of the best scripts she had ever read. Eisenberg said he began doing community theater at age 7, an experience that inspired the film, and that he spent two years editing Moore's performance.
The Debut is set to open in theaters on Dec. 11 via A24. It premiered at the Telluride Film Festival in September 2026, where it drew strong reviews and Oscar buzz for Moore.
Quick answers
When does The Debut come out in theaters?
The Debut opens in theaters on Dec. 11 via A24.
Who stars in The Debut?
Julianne Moore plays Mona Friedman, with Paul Giamatti as Jerry Blankenbuehler. The cast also includes Jesse Eisenberg, Halle Bailey, Colton Ryan, Bonnie Milligan, Bernadette Peters, Lilli Cooper, Maulik Pancholy and Havana Rose Liu.
Where did The Debut premiere?
It premiered at the Telluride Film Festival in September 2026 and closed the London Film Festival with its U.K. premiere at the Royal Festival Hall.