Jay Kelly Trailer, Fun Facts & Review
Jay Kelly Synopsis:
Jay Kelly (George Clooney) is a famous movie actor who, facing a midlife crisis triggered by the loss of a mentor and the growing distance from his daughters, embarks on a spontaneous journey across Europe. Tagging along are his devoted manager, Ron (Adam Sandler), and his publicist, Liz (Laura Dern). This chaotic trip forces Jay to confront the gap between his glamorous public image and his troubled personal life, resulting in a touching yet humorous story about the true cost of fame and the search for genuine connection.
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Release Date: On Netflix December 5th, 2025
Jay Kelly Fun Facts:
First-Time Pairing:
This is the very first time that major Hollywood stars George Clooney and Adam Sandler have appeared in a movie together, creating a surprising and much-anticipated on-screen duo.
Co-writer Director:
The movie is co-written and directed by Noah Baumbach, who is well-known for directing, writing, and producing movies such as Marriage Story (2019). Baumbach co-wrote the screenplay with long-time collaborator Emily Mortimer, who also appears in the movie.
35mm Film:
To create a classic and timeless feel, the movie was shot on 35mm film by Oscar-winning cinematographer Linus Sandgren, known for La La Land (2016). This is his first time working together with Baumbach.
Filming Location:
The fast-paced, life-changing adventure moves the characters through various countries, with filming taking place in New York City, London, and the picturesque region of Tuscany in Italy.
Greta Gerwig Cameo:
The movie features a diverse group of actors, with Greta Gerwig (who directed Barbie) making a brief appearance. She is not only Baumbach's spouse but has also collaborated with him on earlier works such as Frances Ha (2012).
Oscar Strategy:
The movie did really well at important festivals, such as getting a nomination for the Golden Lion at the Venice International Film Festival. It will also be shown in a few theaters on November 14th, 2025, before releasing on Netflix on December 5th, 2025. This small theater release is part of Netflix’s plan to make the film eligible for the upcoming awards season.
Jay Kelly Review:
Noah Baumbach's new movie, a drama-comedy called Jay Kelly, is a very self-aware and often sad look at the aging celebrity, having special privilege, and the personal price they pay for fame. The film is held together by two of the best performers in the industry, George Clooney and Adam Sandler. The movie is a thoughtful and often moving story about a man who realizes his life—like his memories—has turned into a collection of carefully put-together movie scenes.
Jay Kelly (George Clooney) is an A-list movie star, famous for his effortless charm and all the movies he has made. Just as his youngest daughter, Daisy (Grace Edwards), is about to leave for a backpacking trip before starting college, Jay faces three major setbacks: his mentor dies, and he has a bitter altercation with an old friend (Billy Crudup). Forced to confront his past choices—especially prioritizing his career before his two daughters, Jessica (Riley Keough) and Daisy—Jay suddenly decides to follow Daisy across Europe. He pretends he is going to Italy (Tuscany) for a movie tribute that was postponed.
What happens next is not a wild chase. Instead, the movie becomes a European travel story about feeling anxious and uncertain about life. Jay is joined on this trip by his manager, Ron Sukenick (Adam Sandler), who has put up with Jay for a long time, and his publicist, Liz (Laura Dern). While Jay tries to genuinely reconnect with his family and do something real, the film uses flashbacks. These clips cleverly show small moments where Jay was selfish, which helps explain why his life feels so empty.
George Clooney plays the main character with a kind of open, honest sadness that breaks through his usual movie-star confidence. He is perfect for this role as an aging A-lister who has fame and fortune, and the most important thing he doesn't have is the memory of his daughters. He seems to have it all, but in the end, the only close person he has is Ron.
Adam Sandler, who is commonly known for his comedic roles that are absurd and ridiculous, gives his best dramatic performance in this major shift for Sandler, often stealing the spotlight as the manager, Ron. Ron sacrificed everything working for the extremely demanding Jay. The most powerful scenes are the final arguments between Jay and Ron. In very honest and raw conversations, these fights reveal Ron's quiet anger and Jay's shocking arrogance.
Even though Jay Kelly is rich and famous, he is never lonely because he is always surrounded by people who work for him. His true loneliness comes from the memories he missed out on when he prioritized his career over his daughters. The final scene of Jay’s professional journey, where he seeks a connection and ultimately finds Ron by his side, is a truly heartfelt moment about the interdependence and unique affection between two men who created a life side by side.