Jesse Eisenberg says musical theatre inspired his new film The Debut

The actor‑director says the world of community musical theatre shaped his new movie starring Julianne Moore.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sun, 18 Oct 2026 22:24:21 GMT

Hollywood actor‑director Jesse Eisenberg told the Press Association that his latest film, The Debut, is built around musical theatre because “it’s the world I know”. The comments came ahead of the film’s UK premiere at the BFI London Film Festival.

What happened

Eisenberg, 43, discussed the plot of The Debut, describing it as a story about a shy woman who discovers family, home and voice through community musical theatre. He confirmed he wrote and directed the film and also appears in it. The musical‑comedy stars Julianne Moore as a housewife who becomes obsessed with a local production, and Paul Giamatti plays the domineering director Jerry. The film is slated for UK theatrical release on 15 January 2027.

What the reports add

Both Standard pieces repeat Eisenberg’s inspiration, his writer‑director role and the casting of Moore and Giamatti, but each also notes his earlier acting credits – including Zombieland, Now You See Me – and his Oscar nomination for portraying Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network.
The articles quote Eisenberg on his directing process, praising lead actor Kieran Culkin’s dedication on his previous film.
Julianne Moore’s own comments to the Press Association about the story’s importance are included, emphasizing the character’s search for community.

What was said

“The movie is about a very shy woman who finds her family and her home and her voice in the world of musical theatre – but it could have been anything,” Eisenberg said.

“I write it about musical theatre because it’s the world I know, and it’s the same thing that happened to me. For some people who are so in need of something, almost anything can fill that hole.”

“She finds community for the first time. She finds a place where she belongs, and she finds it through her own creative journey. It’s this wonderful thing to find yourself and find other people – because really that’s where we thrive, in relationship to others,” Moore added.

How it came about

Eisenberg’s shift from acting to directing has been tracked in recent Felo coverage, including his discussion of turning down the Mark Zuckerberg role (Aaron Sorkin on Eisenberg’s decline) and his praise for Julianne Moore’s performance at the New York Film Festival (Eisenberg lauds Moore at NYFF). The film also premiered at the San Sebastian Film Festival, where Eisenberg spoke about the autobiographical roots of the story and the impact of a rehearsal with Moore on his view of acting.

Key facts

Jesse Eisenberg said musical theatre is the world he knows and inspired his new film. (standard.co.uk)
The film, titled The Debut, was written and directed by Eisenberg. (standard.co.uk)
Julianne Moore stars as a housewife obsessed with a community theatre production, with Paul Giamatti playing the director. (standard.co.uk)