Julianne Moore is here to collect the rent in latest The Debut trailer

Jesse Eisenberg's third directorial effort opens on December 11.

By Drew Gillis  |  November 10, 2026 | 9:16am
Image courtesy of A24
Film News The Debut
Julianne Moore is here to collect the rent in latest The Debut trailer

The Debut has already earned some pre-release comparisons to The Simpsons‘ classic episode A Streetcar Named Marge, but the latest trailer, released this morning, conjures up a different, classic Simpsons moment: Say the line, Bart! Only here, Bart is Mona, and the line in question is: “Rent’s due!” This is the big line of Julianne Moore’s character in The Debut, and what it will take to have her perform it at the level appropriate for director Jerry Blankenbuehler (Paul Giamatti) could drive her (and many around) her to near madness. 

The official synopsis of The Debut reads: 

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.

Of course, if there’s anyone up to this task, it’s Moore. For her performance as the on-stage novice in Jesse Eisenberg’s third feature as director, she’s considered an Oscar frontrunner by sites like Gold Derby. With his last feature A Real Pain, Eisenberg directed Kieran Culkin to a supporting actor Oscar, so it certainly seems possible that Eisenberg (and/or Blankenbuehler) might help get Moore across the finish line. 

The Debut opens on December 11.

 
Join the discussion...
Keep scrolling for more great stories.