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ERA
Did you know
Released this year — you're seeing it while it's still in the cultural conversation.
MoodPlayr · trivia#01
The Debut
"There’s a method to the madness."
2026 1h 45m EN
MusicComedyDrama
Synopsis
Spoiler shield
When Mona Friedman is cast in a bit part at a small community theater, she transforms from a shy, unassuming housewife into a zealous method actor 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.
“There’s a method to the madness.”
Cast
Julianne Moore
Mona
Paul Giamatti
Jerry
Halle Bailey
Stef
Jesse Eisenberg
Todd
K. Todd Freeman
Marty
Eldar Isgandarov
Piotr
Susan Blommaert
Sybil
Colton Ryan
Zachary
Credits
Behind the camera
- Director
- Jesse Eisenberg
- Writers
- Jesse Eisenberg
- Languages
- English
- Countries
- United States of America
Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.
Did you know?
Fun facts 🍿
2 / 7
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Directed by Jesse Eisenberg, shot by Drew Daniels. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
MoodPlayr · trivia#02
3 / 7
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Original score by Emile Mosseri. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
MoodPlayr · trivia#03
4 / 7
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Editor Robert Nassau shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
MoodPlayr · trivia#04
5 / 7
CAST
Did you know
Julianne Moore and Paul Giamatti and Halle Bailey carry the top of the cast.
MoodPlayr · trivia#05
6 / 7
FACT
Did you know
Marketing tagline: "There’s a method to the madness.".
MoodPlayr · trivia#06
7 / 7
WILD
Did you know
IMDB entry: tt34718200 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
MoodPlayr · trivia#07
Cinephile deep dive
The take
Jesse Eisenberg directs. Drew Daniels behind the camera. Emile Mosseri scores. Robert Nassau cuts. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.
Trivia
Things worth knowing
- 1Released this year — you're seeing it while it's still in the cultural conversation.
- 2Directed by Jesse Eisenberg, shot by Drew Daniels. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
- 3Original score by Emile Mosseri. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
- 4Editor Robert Nassau shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
- 5Julianne Moore and Paul Giamatti and Halle Bailey carry the top of the cast.
- 6Marketing tagline: "There’s a method to the madness.".
- 7IMDB entry: tt34718200 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
The technical file
- Cinematography
- Drew Daniels
- Original score
- Emile Mosseri
- Editing
- Robert Nassau
- Production design
- Anne Ross
- Costume design
- Stacey Battat
- Makeup / hair
- Jamie Amadio
- Sound
- Jacob Ribicoff
- Runtime
- 105 min · 1h 45m
- Status
- Released
- Original language
- EN
- Certification (US)
- R
- IMDB
- The Debut (2026)
Also by
Jesse Eisenberg
Trailers & featurettes
Watch the pieces
Production companies
Who made it
Topic Studios
US
Fruit Tree
US
- RE
Rego Park
US
A24
US
Key crew
- ProducerEmma Stone
- ProducerDave McCary
- ProducerAli Herting
- Executive ProducerMichael Bloom
- CastingDouglas Aibel
- Music SupervisorSteven Gizicki
- ChoreographerAndy Blankenbuehler
- Production DesignAnne Ross
- Set DecorationCindy Fain-Vreeland
- Costume DesignStacey Battat
- Hair Department HeadJamie Amadio
- Makeup Department HeadSarah Graalman
- First Assistant DirectorMary Kerrigan
- Second Assistant DirectorMatthew Gordon
- Sound MixerDimitri Kouri
- Production SupervisorJay Rogers
- Additional Second Assistant DirectorEllie Haines
- Supervising Sound EditorTim Korn
- MusicJesse Eisenberg
- LyricistJesse Eisenberg
- SongsJesse Eisenberg
- EditorRobert Nassau
- ProducerJesse Eisenberg
- Executive ProducerJennifer Booth
Themes & keywords
What it's about, really
- new jersey
- housewife
- musical
- method acting
- community theater
- actress-director relationship
- opening night
Release history · US
When it landed
- Premiere2026-10-07· New York Film Festival
- Premiere2026-09-05· Telluride Film Festival
- Premiere2026-10-11· Mill Valley Film Festival
- Premiere2026-10-09· Hamptons International Film Festival
- Premiere2026-10-14· Woodstock Film Festival / San Diego International Film Festival
- Premiere2026-10-20· Chicago International Film Festival
- Premiere2026-10-15· Middleburg Film Festival
- Premiere2026-10-18· Heartland Film Festival
- Premiere2026-10-17· Orcas Island Film Festival
- Premiere2026-10-28· Hawai'i International Film Festival
Also known as
International titles
- The Big BreakUS
- Untitled Jesse Eisenberg Musical ComedyUS
- No One CaresUS
- El DebutAR
- DebiutPL
- El Gran DebutMX
