Julianne Moore Says ‘The Debut’ Is ‘One of the Best Scripts I’ve Ever Read’ as Jesse Eisenberg’s Musical Comedy Closes London Film Festival on a High Note

The London Film Festival concluded its prestigious run on a high and celebratory note on Sunday evening, as the musical comedy “The Debut” took center stage at the historic Royal Festival Hall. The closing-night gala brought together writer and director Jesse Eisenberg and his leading lady, Academy Award-winner Julianne Moore, who delighted a packed audience with an energetic exchange of mutual admiration and behind-the-scenes anecdotes about bringing the whimsical, small-town-theater project to life.

Stepping onto the stage to introduce the film, Eisenberg set a warm and self-deprecating tone for the evening, immediately drawing laughs and affection from the British crowd.

“I mean, this movie stars my favorite person, Julianne Moore,” Eisenberg began, before adding a characteristic twist of irony. “But ironically, strangely, it’s the story of my life.”

Written and directed by Eisenberg, “The Debut” follows the unraveling life of Mona Friedman, portrayed by Moore. Friedman is a shy, unassuming New Jersey housewife who decides to step out of her comfort zone by auditioning for a part in her local community theater’s upcoming production of a fictional musical titled “Nosy Neighbors.” After successfully landing the supporting role of Miss Danielle, Friedman’s ordinary existence begins to tilt off its axis. She becomes increasingly consumed by the demands of playing her part and soon falls under the theatrical spell of the production’s eccentric and intense director, Jerry Blankenbuehler, played by Paul Giamatti.

During the introduction at the Royal Festival Hall, Eisenberg opened up about the deeply personal roots of the narrative. He shared with the audience that his own journey with community theater began when he was just seven years old and feeling deeply miserable, an experience that he credits with changing his life forever. He explained that he had long wanted to write about that formative period in his youth, but found that he could only picture Moore in the central role as the writing process unfolded. He noted that her presence on the page actively inspired him as he crafted the screenplay.

“It’s the most thrilling experience to watch her and edit her for two years,” Eisenberg added, reflecting on the prolonged post-production and creative collaboration with the legendary actress.

Moore, dressed elegantly in a chic black gown, was quick to return the lavish praise when it was her turn to address the festival audience. She described “The Debut” as an “incredible gift” and declared that it featured “one of the best scripts I’ve ever read in my entire life.”

“It was such an honor to receive it and such a thrill to go to work every day and to get to do this incredible part with these tremendous actors,” Moore said, before turning her compliments toward the man behind the camera. She praised Eisenberg as a “beautiful writer, exemplary director and just a great talent.”

Never one to miss an opportunity for a quick witticism, Eisenberg jumped in with a swift response to the compliment, quipping to the amusement of the crowd: “I just want to note that the only time I’m called beautiful, it’s about writing.”

The U.K. premiere embraced a playful theatrical theme that matched the spirit of the film. Upon arriving at their seats, guests discovered custom-made, fake Playbills for the fictional community theater production of “Nosy Neighbors,” adding an immersive touch to the evening. Once the screening commenced, the audience thoroughly engaged with the material, filling the hall with audible laughter and breaking out into several spontaneous rounds of applause during the high points of Moore’s campy, committed performance.

Though the atmosphere inside the Royal Festival Hall was jubilant, there was one notable absence from the evening’s festivities. Eisenberg took a moment to address the crowd regarding co-star Paul Giamatti, who was unable to attend the London premiere after contracting COVID-19.

“I wish he could be here. He is the greatest guy and you would love to hear him talk,” Eisenberg told the audience, expressing his disappointment over Giamatti’s absence. Reflecting on his admiration for his principal cast members, the director added, “Paul’s been my favorite actor since I’m young, Julianne’s been my favorite actress since I’m young.”

In addition to Moore and Giamatti, “The Debut” features an ensemble cast that includes Eisenberg himself alongside Halle Bailey, Colton Ryan, and Bonnie Milligan, all portraying various actors within the fictional musical’s troupe. The supporting cast is further rounded out by veteran stage and screen performers Bernadette Peters, Lilli Cooper, Maulik Pancholy, and Havana Rose Liu.

Stepping in front of the camera to act alongside performers he has idolized since childhood proved to be a uniquely dizzying experience for Eisenberg. He described the dual role of director and co-star as “the thrill of a lifetime,” while candidly admitting that it was also “very strange.”

“I was spending so much time enthralled with them, and then it was like Michael Jordan said, ‘Here, you take the ball!’ And I’m like, ‘What is this thing?’ So it was so distracting to me. I hope to never act alongside them again,” Eisenberg joked, smiling. “I was my worst self.”

“The Debut” first captured the industry’s attention when it premiered at the Telluride Film Festival last month. That initial screening generated strong critical acclaim and immediately sparked early Academy Award buzz, particularly focused on Moore’s powerhouse leading performance. Writing in his review for Variety, chief film critic Owen Gleiberman lauded the film’s ambitious tone and execution, describing it as “a small-town-theater comedy rooted in big ideas, [that] is a funny and dizzying mind-bender. It’s like ‘Waiting for Guffman’ made by the Coen brothers at their most rivetingly unhinged.”

Following its successful festival run spanning from the Colorado mountains to the heart of the British capital, “The Debut” is scheduled to make its way to wider audiences when it hits theaters nationwide on December 11, distributed by A24.