George Clooney and Adam Sandler together in a movie. Yup, let that sink in, folks! This felt like an almost impossible union nearly a decade ago. But thanks to director Noah Baumbach, we’re seeing these sensational acting talents team up in Jay Kelly, which is slated for a limited theatrical release on November 14 before debuting on Netflix on December 5.
Jay Kelly also premiered at this year’s Venice Film Festival, where it reportedly received an 8.5–10 minute standing ovation. Early reviews from the festival hailed this coming-of-age comedy-drama as a “masterpiece.” Since then, Netflix has been marketing the film under the same label. But is it really one?
Standing ovations at film festivals haven’t completely lost their weight, but they’re definitely not taken as seriously as they once were. Even Francis Ford Coppola’s messy Megalopolis snagged a three-minute ovation at last year’s Cannes, only to bomb at the box office and face ridicule from audiences. So, there you go…
George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, and Billy Crudup star in Jay Kelly, a Noah Baumbach Picture hailed as “a masterpiece.” In select theaters November 14 and on Netflix December 5.
Famous movie actor Jay Kelly embarks on a journey of self-discovery, confronting his past… pic.twitter.com/MxlPMwsORA
— Netflix (@netflix) September 29, 2025
On Rotten Tomatoes, Jay Kelly’s reception looks positive, though not overwhelmingly so. It currently holds a 79% “fresh” score (based on 47 certified reviews). Often, these numbers dip once the film reaches theatres, then streaming, and finally, general audiences.
Over on Metacritic, this George Clooney starrer has earned a less enthusiastic 65 out of 100. Meanwhile, IMDb paints a more confusing picture with a 5.9 out of 10, definitely a troubling sign.
Critics have widely praised George Clooney’s performance, calling him one of the film’s strongest assets.
That said, many reviewers describe the film as minor, easy, and at times self-indulgent, qualities not usually associated with Noah Baumbach. Supporters, however, have embraced it as a lighthearted delight. Another common critique is the focus on a privileged millionaire protagonist, which some found unrelatable or even dull. Plus, many feel Adam Sandler wasn’t used to his full potential here.
All in all, Jay Kelly looks like a fun, lighthearted, and soulful watch, but it doesn’t quite measure up to Baumbach’s stronger directorial efforts. Alongside Clooney and Sandler, the film also stars Laura Dern and Billy Crudup. Stay tuned for more updates.
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