Jay Kelly

Jay Kelly is an upcoming 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.^[2]

Jay Kelly
Teaser poster
Directed by	Noah Baumbach
Written by	Noah Baumbach Emily Mortimer
Produced by	Noah Baumbach Amy Pascal David Heyman
Starring	George Clooney Adam Sandler Laura Dern Billy Crudup Riley Keough Grace Edwards Stacy Keach Jim Broadbent Patrick Wilson Eve Hewson Greta Gerwig Alba Rohrwacher Josh Hamilton Lenny Henry Emily Mortimer Nicôle Lecky Thaddea Graham Isla Fisher
Cinematography	Linus Sandgren
Edited by	Valerio Bonelli
Music by	Nicholas Britell
Production companies	Pascal Pictures Heyday Films NB/GG Pictures
Distributed by	Netflix
Release dates	August 28, 2025 (2025-08-28) (Venice) November 14, 2025 (2025-11-14)
Running time	132 minutes[1]
Countries	United Kingdom United States
Language	English

The film will have 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.^[3] 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

• George Clooney as Jay Kelly, a famous actor^[4]
• Adam Sandler as Ron, Jay's manager
• Laura Dern as Liz, Jay's publicist
• Billy Crudup as Jay's acting buddy who didn't have his big break^[5]
• Riley Keough as Jay's eldest daughter^[5]
• Grace Edwards as Jay's youngest daughter^[5]
• Stacy Keach as Jay's father^[5]
• Jim Broadbent as a recently deceased director who gave Jay his big break^[5]
• Patrick Wilson
• Eve Hewson
• Greta Gerwig as Ron's wife^[5]
• Alba Rohrwacher
• Josh Hamilton
• Lenny Henry
• Emily Mortimer
• Nicôle Lecky
• Thaddea Graham
• Isla Fisher
• Jamie Demetriou
• Louis Partridge
• Charlie Rowe
• Parker Sawyers
• Patsy Ferran
• Lars Eidinger
• Kyle Soller
• Tom Francis
• Giovanni Esposito

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.^[6][7]

In March 2024, Laura Dern, Billy Crudup and Riley Keough were added to the cast.^[8] 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.^[9]

Principal photography began in March 2024, with production occurring between New York City, London,^[10] and Tuscany.^[11] Swedish cinematographer Linus Sandgren shot the project on 35mm film, marking his first collaboration with Baumbach.^[12][13] Valerio Bonelli serves as the editor.^[14]

Music

By July 2025, Nicholas Britell had been hired to compose the score.^[15]

Release

Jay Kelly is scheduled to have its world premiere at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival in competition on August 28, 2025.^[16][17] It will also screen at the 2025 New York Film Festival.^[18] It is scheduled to be released in select theaters on November 14, 2025,^[4] before releasing on Netflix on December 5.^[4][19]