Julianne Moore stars in The Debut, Jesse Eisenberg's third film as director, which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival. It marks a departure from his earlier, more grounded work, as he leans into surreal, Charlie Kaufman-esque absurdism to tell the story of Mona, a repressed housewife who auditions for a community theatre musical and becomes consumed by the experience.

The film follows Mona as her involvement in the production, guided by director Jerry (Paul Giamatti), tips from a gentle tale of self-discovery into a darker study of obsession reminiscent of Black Swan. The review is mixed on execution, criticising Eisenberg's inconsistent, time-unmoored stylisation for undercutting both the satire and the emotional pathos, even while praising his ambition and visual flair. Ultimately, it is Moore's "thrilling" and dynamic performance, drawing on the energy of her 1990s roles in films like Boogie Nights, that is credited with holding the film together.