This one marks Jesse Eisenberg’s third feature as a director, following “When You Finish Saving the World” and “A Real Pain” — the latter earned widespread acclaim and awards buzz last year. A24 is backing the film.
This upcoming musical — Eisenberg’s third time directing and based on his original script — has not yet been given a title. The film stars Julianne Moore and Paul Giamatti, with Eisenberg also appearing in the cast. Other cast members include Halle Bailey, Bernadette Peters, and Maulik Pancholy.
Set in “the high-stakes world of community theater,” the story follows a shy woman (Moore) who is unexpectedly cast in a local production of an original musical.
Here’s what one test audience member had to say after last night’s East Coast screening:
It’s a musical. Julianne Moore stars as a painfully awkward housewife who dives headfirst into acting classes and goes full method by taking a job as the superintendent of an apartment building. The role consumes her with surprising intensity, and what begins as an eccentric character study quickly shifts into a dark comedy — imagine Woody Allen’s version of ‘Black Swan.’ The audience roared with laughter. Paul Giamatti delivers an awards worthy performance as her unlikely mentor, Jesse Eisenberg makes a brief appearance, Drew Daniels’ cinematography dazzles, and Emile Mosseri’s score provides the perfect finishing touch.
Apparently, Giammati and Moore, are great in this, with wonderful chemistry. If there’s a musical that influences Eisenberg’s style here then it’s Woody Allen’s “Everyone Says I Love You” — deliberately old-fashioned, whimsical, and natural singing.
The film, still untitled, is expected to hit theaters in 2026. It could very well screen at Sundance, which is where Eisenberg’s first two films premiered.