George Clooney has worn many hats throughout his four-decade career—leading man, director, global icon—but his latest role in Jay Kelly might be one of the most revealing yet. Noah Baumbach’s new drama-comedy, which arrives on Netflix on December 5, dives into the inner world of a Hollywood legend forced to confront the one thing he has successfully avoided for years: himself.

In Jay Kelly, Clooney plays a celebrated actor at the height of fame but in the twilight of self-assurance. The story follows his journey across Europe with his longtime manager, portrayed by Adam Sandler, as the two navigate the emotional debris of regret, aging, and the pressures of public life. Though the premise sounds introspective—and perhaps even indulgent—Baumbach and co-writer Emily Mortimer deliver a script that balances wit, vulnerability, and a surprising amount of heart.

Mortimer, known for her roles in Match Point, Lars and the Real Girl, and Mary Poppins Returns, brings a soft emotional intelligence to the writing. Baumbach complements that with his trademark ability to examine complicated people with tenderness. Together, they craft a story that feels intimate yet universally relatable.

One of the film’s standout elements is its unconventional approach to memory. Flashback scenes are not shown as simple cutaways. Instead, Baumbach blends past and present in surreal, stage-like transitions that let characters “walk into” their memories. The effect is both theatrical and emotionally rich, allowing the audience to understand Jay Kelly’s inner turmoil as he grapples with the choices that shaped—and haunted—his career.

A particularly powerful flashback sequence involves Billy Crudup, who makes an unforgettable appearance as a former acting-class colleague. Though Crudup appears for less than ten minutes, his performance is electric, raising questions about success, artistic sacrifice, and what it means to want something deeply without wanting the industry that surrounds it. Awards buzz is already gathering around his name.

But the moment most people are talking about happens at the end of the film—and it affected Clooney more personally than anyone expected.

The final scene features Jay Kelly watching a montage of his life’s work during a career-honoring ceremony. Baumbach surprised Clooney by inserting actual clips from the actor’s real filmography, from his early sitcom days to his blockbuster years. Clooney revealed that he had no idea this was coming.

“The first time I saw it was during filming,” he said at the Los Angeles premiere. “That first take is the one in the movie.” His caught-off-guard reaction—at times emotional, at times humorous—is genuine. At one moment, he even grabs Sandler’s hand, something he admits wasn’t acting. “I was a little disturbed. You don’t prepare for seeing 40 years of your life—and your worst hairstyles—on a giant screen.”

The film, shot across Los Angeles, Paris, and Italy, is visually lush and emotionally grounded. With performances from Greta Gerwig, Laura Dern, Riley Keough, and Mortimer herself, Jay Kelly feels like a meditation on fame, identity, and what remains when the applause fades.

Jay Kelly is now showing in select theaters and begins streaming on Netflix on December 5.

FAQ

1. What is Jay Kelly about?
It follows a famous actor confronting his past, identity, and regrets during a road trip with his manager.

2. Does George Clooney play himself?
No, but the character draws heavily from his real-life experiences in Hollywood.

3. Why did the ending surprise Clooney?
Baumbach used real clips from Clooney’s past films without telling him beforehand.

4. Who else stars in the film?
Adam Sandler, Greta Gerwig, Laura Dern, Billy Crudup, Riley Keough, and Emily Mortimer.

5. When will the movie be available on Netflix?
Streaming begins on December 5.