Jay Kelly
132ms
Get ready for a cinematic event that’s both laugh-out-loud funny and deeply moving. From acclaimed director Noah Baumbach and co-writer Emily Mortimer comes "Jay Kelly," a 2025 coming-of-age comedy-drama that brings together a powerhouse ensemble cast. Imagine this: George Clooney as a legendary actor, and Adam Sandler as his loyal manager, embarking on an unforgettable European adventure. As they traverse the continent, they're not just sightseeing; they're soul-searching, grappling with the choices that shaped their lives, the loves they've held dear, and the indelible marks they'll leave behind.
"Jay Kelly" made its grand debut at the prestigious 82nd Venice International Film Festival, vying for the coveted Golden Lion. But the journey doesn't end there. Prepare to catch it in select theaters starting November 14, 2025, before it makes its global splash on Netflix on December 5.
The premise? A famous movie star, Jay Kelly, and his devoted manager, Ron, find themselves on a whirlwind, and unexpectedly profound, escapade through Europe. It's a trip that forces both men to confront the paths they've chosen, the intricate tapestry of their relationships, and the very essence of their legacies.
The talent behind this film is simply extraordinary. In December 2023, Noah Baumbach revealed his next project with Netflix, starring none other than George Clooney and Adam Sandler. Co-writing the script with Emily Mortimer, the film is produced by Amy Pascal and David Heyman. By March 2024, the already stellar cast expanded further, welcoming Laura Dern, Billy Crudup, and Riley Keough. Later that month, the lineup was bolstered with the additions of Jim Broadbent, Patsy Ferran, Isla Fisher, Greta Gerwig, Louis Partridge, Alba Rohrwacher, and Patrick Wilson, with Emily Mortimer herself also set to grace the screen. Principal photography kicked off in March 2024, with scenes captured in the iconic landscapes of New York City, London, and Tuscany. Swedish cinematographer Linus Sandgren, marking his first collaboration with Baumbach, captured the magic on 35mm film, while Valerio Bonelli expertly weaves it all together as the editor.
And the soundscape? By July 2025, the brilliant Nicholas Britell was on board to compose the film's evocative score.
The release strategy is perfectly timed. "Jay Kelly" premiered at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on August 28, 2025, as part of the main competition. It will also be showcased at the 2025 New York Film Festival. Then, brace yourselves for its theatrical run in select locations from November 14, 2025, followed by its worldwide Netflix debut on December 5.
Early buzz is electric. On Rotten Tomatoes, 79% of 47 critics' reviews are glowing, with a consensus that highlights George Clooney's disarming vulnerability and Adam Sandler's impressive dramatic expansion in this Hollywood satire, noting it's gentler than one might expect from Baumbach. Metacritic echoes this sentiment with a score of 65 out of 100, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.
Jay Kelly is a 2025 coming-of-age comedy-drama film directed by Noah Baumbach and written by Baumbach and Emily Mortimer. The film stars an ensemble cast that includes George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, and Billy Crudup. It follows a friendship between a famous actor (Clooney) and his manager (Sandler) as they travel through Europe and reflect on their life choices, relationships, and legacies.
The film had its world premiere in the main competition of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on August 28, 2025, where it was nominated for the Golden Lion. It will then be released in select theaters on November 14, 2025, followed by its global release on Netflix on December 5.
== Premise ==
Famous movie actor Jay Kelly and his devoted manager Ron embark on a whirlwind and unexpectedly profound journey through Europe. Along the way, both men are forced to confront the choices they’ve made, the relationships with their loved ones, and the legacies they’ll leave behind.
== Cast ==
== Production ==
It was announced in December 2023 that Noah Baumbach had set up his next project in his deal with Netflix, with George Clooney and Adam Sandler cast to star. Baumbach co-wrote the screenplay with Emily Mortimer, while Amy Pascal and David Heyman served as producers through their respective Pascal Pictures and Heyday Films labels.
In March 2024, Laura Dern, Billy Crudup and Riley Keough were added to the cast. Later that month, Jim Broadbent, Patsy Ferran, Isla Fisher, Greta Gerwig, Louis Partridge, Alba Rohrwacher, and Patrick Wilson were among those announced as part of the cast, with Mortimer also due to appear in the film.
Principal photography began in March 2024, with production occurring between New York City, London, and Tuscany. Swedish cinematographer Linus Sandgren shot the project on 35mm film, marking his first collaboration with Baumbach. Valerio Bonelli serves as the editor.
== Music ==
By July 2025, Nicholas Britell had been hired to compose the score.
== Release ==
Jay Kelly had its world premiere at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival in competition on August 28, 2025. It will also screen at the 2025 New York Film Festival. It is scheduled to be released in select theaters on November 14, 2025, before releasing on Netflix on December 5.
== Reception ==
=== Critical response ===
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 79% of 47 critics' reviews are positive. The website's consensus reads: "George Clooney riffs on his star persona with disarming vulnerability while Adam Sandler impressively expands his dramatic range in Jay Kelly, a Hollywood satire that's gentler than one might expect from director Noah Baumbach." Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 65 out of 100, based on 19 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.
=== Accolades ===
== References ==
== External links ==
Jay Kelly at IMDb
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