Julianne Moore and Paul Giamatti’s new dark comedy “The Debut” is drawing some of the loudest praise of this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, with critics calling it an early Oscar contender after its Sunday premiere. The film, directed by “A Real Pain” filmmaker Jesse Eisenberg, holds a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes and an 88 on Metacritic heading into its theatrical run, and A24 will release it in U.S. theaters December 11.

The premiere took place at Toronto’s Princess of Wales Theatre, where Moore, Giamatti and Eisenberg walked the red carpet together before heading to an after-party. The Debut Julianne Moore film has quickly become one of the most talked-about titles of this year’s festival, with reviewers praising Moore’s performance in particular as among the best of her career.

What ‘The Debut’ Is About

“The Debut” follows Mona Friedman, played by Moore, a suburban housewife who feels overlooked by her husband and children and auditions for a small role in her local community theater’s production of a musical called “Nosy Neighbors.” According to A24’s official synopsis, Mona is cast in the minor part of the building’s superintendent and gradually transforms from a shy, unassuming housewife into a fiercely committed method actor willing to fight to protect the artistic integrity of her small role, even if it means going to war with the show’s demanding director.

That director, Jerry, is played by Giamatti, who reviewers say channels some of the same gruff mentor energy that earned him acclaim in “The Holdovers.” As Mona pushes deeper into her role, the relationship between her and Jerry becomes the emotional core of the film, evolving from a rocky first audition into what several critics described as an unexpectedly moving creative partnership.

The film’s cast also includes Halle Bailey, Cara Buono, Craig Bierko, Eldar Isgandarov and Bernadette Peters, along with Eisenberg himself in a small role. The movie runs 105 minutes and is scheduled for a Canadian theatrical release December 18, following its U.S. debut a week earlier.

What Critics Are Saying

Reviewers who saw “The Debut” in Toronto have been especially enthusiastic about Moore’s performance, with several critics calling it among the funniest and most fearless work of her career. One review described the film as blending comedy, horror and drama so effectively that it resists being defined as any single genre, driven largely by what the writer called one of the most memorable acting performances in recent memory.

Other critics highlighted the chemistry between Moore and Giamatti as the film’s backbone, describing their dynamic as a heartfelt pairing that grounds the film’s more absurd moments. Deadline’s review called the movie “downright hilarious,” praising the comedic performances from both lead actors and predicting audiences would find themselves moved to tears by its end, a reaction the reviewer said has become increasingly rare in modern film comedies.

Reviewers have also drawn comparisons to acclaimed filmmakers known for blending offbeat humor with unsettling tension, with one review noting stylistic traces of David Lynch, Leos Carax and early Lars von Trier in Eisenberg’s directing choices. Despite those unconventional touches, several critics said Eisenberg avoids mocking the world of community theater, instead treating the amateur production and its cast with genuine warmth even as the film mines it for comedy.

Why This Matters for the Oscar Race

The reception in Toronto has already reshaped early Oscar predictions for the upcoming awards season. According to Gold Derby’s tracking of expert predictions, Moore currently leads the Best Actress race, while Giamatti sits at the top of the Best Supporting Actor rankings. The film itself has climbed into the top five contenders for Best Picture, with Eisenberg’s original screenplay ranking second among expected nominees.

That kind of early buzz can matter significantly for a film’s box office and awards prospects, particularly at a festival like Toronto, which has a strong track record of previewing eventual Oscar winners. Eisenberg’s previous film as director, “A Real Pain,” went on to win Kieran Culkin the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and earned Eisenberg a screenplay nomination, a result some critics say “The Debut” could match or exceed given the response so far.

Background on the Filmmakers

Eisenberg, better known to many moviegoers as an actor, has built a growing reputation as a writer-director over his past two feature films. “The Debut” marks his third directorial effort, following his 2022 debut “When You Finish Saving the World,” which also starred Moore, and 2024’s “A Real Pain,” which won him his first Academy Award for original screenplay.

Moore’s collaboration with Eisenberg dates back to that first film, and critics noted that “The Debut” gives her a markedly different showcase, leaning into physical comedy and musical numbers rather than the more restrained drama of their earlier work together. Giamatti, meanwhile, arrives at the film fresh off acclaim for “The Holdovers,” and reviewers say “The Debut” gives him a similarly layered role as a flawed, demanding mentor figure.

what Happens at the Festival Now

“The Debut” is screening as part of the Toronto International Film Festival’s 2026 lineup, which runs from September 10 through September 20. The festival has also launched a new industry initiative this year called The Market, which allows filmmakers and international buyers to connect and negotiate distribution deals while the festival is underway, a response organizers say reflects a changing global landscape for film distribution.

With “The Debut” already secured for release by A24, the film’s Toronto reception will likely shape how aggressively the studio campaigns for it during awards season over the coming months, ahead of its December theatrical debut in the United States.

What Comes Next

“The Debut” opens in U.S. theaters December 11, giving general audiences their first chance to see the film that has generated some of the strongest reviews of this year’s festival circuit. A Canadian release follows December 18. Awards season voting typically ramps up in the weeks after major fall festivals like Toronto, meaning the film’s early buzz could translate into nominations announcements in the coming months, particularly for Moore and Giamatti’s performances.

For now, “The Debut” stands as one of the most talked-about films to emerge from this year’s Toronto festival, with reviewers and awards trackers alike suggesting it could be a significant presence throughout the upcoming Oscar season.