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Jesse Eisenberg’s new comedy-drama, The Debut, will be bringing the curtain down on this year’s BFI London Film Festival.
An all-star cast will be touching down on the Royal Festival Hall red carpet on October 18 as the Real Pain director introduces his third feature film to LFF audiences on the South Bank and at simultaneous cinema screenings across the UK.
As well as writing and directing, Eisenberg co-stars alongside Julianne Moore, Paul Giamatti, Halle Bailey, Tuner’s Havana Rose Liu, and Bernadette Peters of Annie and The Jerk fame.
The Debut follows Mona (Moore), a shy woman who finds herself cast in a local production of an original musical. Runs the synopsis: ‘Under the spell of the strong-willed and enigmatic director, she loses herself in the role and the high-stakes world of this community theatre production.’ Watch the trailer below.
‘What a wonderful thrill to be the closing night gala, and I can’t wait to share the incredible performances by the cast with a London audience,’ says Eisenberg.
Festival director Kristy Matheson describes it as a ‘deliriously funny and heartfelt film’. ‘With its knockout performances and brilliantly sharp script, we’re excited to share this film, which will have audiences in its thrall and renewed by the joyous and soulful power of cinema,’ she adds.
Shakespeare drama Elsinore, starring Andrew Scott and Olivia Colman, will get the festival underway on October 7.
The 70th BFI London Festival runs from October 7-18. Tickets go on sale to the general public from 10am on September 16 via the official festival website.
The Debut will be in UK cinemas on January 15, 2027, and in the US from December 11 this year.
All the UK cinemas where you can watch The Odyssey in 70mm IMAX.