‘The Debut’ Explodes at Telluride With Julianne Moore’s Gonzo, Career-Best Turn, Thanks to a Toolbelt, Unlit Cigarettes and a Faux Musical — SkimNews
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- Jesse Eisenberg directed 'The Debut,' his third feature and most ambitious film to date, which world premiered at the Telluride Film Festival to strong reactions
- Julianne Moore delivered a career-best, gonzo performance as Mona Friedman, a meek housewife turned ferocious method actor, drawing spontaneous applause during the Saturday screening
- Paul Giamatti played Jerry, the tyrannical community-theater director, in a role that echoes 'Whiplash' but with emotional depth, positioning him for a potential first Oscar win
- A24 set a December 11 release date for 'The Debut,' signaling a long awards-season campaign similar to its successful runs with 'Moonlight' and 'Everything Everywhere All at Once'
- Emma Stone, who produces the film, adds to her streak of backing bold, Oscar-friendly projects following her own win for 'Poor Things'
- Drew Daniels served as cinematographer, reuniting with Eisenberg after 'Anora,' while Emil Mosseri composed the score, lending further artistic credibility to the project
Why it matters: With A24 deploying a proven Oscar strategy and two beloved actors delivering showy, transformative performances, 'The Debut' immediately becomes a top contender in a crowded season — raising stakes for Moore’s bid to win her second Academy Award and Giamatti’s chance to finally claim his first.
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