George Clooney has long been one of Hollywood’s most magnetic screen presences, admired for his refined charm and striking looks. He first captured attention as Dr. Doug Ross on ER (1994–1999), earning two Emmy nominations. From there, he transitioned seamlessly into cinema with standout performances in From Dusk till Dawn (1996), Out of Sight (1998), Three Kings (1999), and O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000).
Stardom soon followed with Steven Soderbergh’s stylish Ocean’s trilogy (2001–2007). Clooney’s career has also brought critical acclaim, winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Syriana (2005) and receiving additional nominations for Best Actor for Michael Clayton (2007), Up in the Air (2009), and The Descendants (2011). He’s also starred in Burn After Reading (2008), Gravity (2013), and Hail, Caesar! (2016).
Beyond acting, Clooney has proven himself an accomplished filmmaker, directing nine feature films, including Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002), Good Night, and Good Luck (2005), The Ides of March (2011), The Monuments Men (2014), and The Tender Bar (2021). Now, Clooney’s new Netflix movie has premiered to a warm reception.
Jay Kelly Debuts With Strong Rotten Tomatoes Score
Jay Kelly has debuted with a strong Rotten Tomatoes score. From four-time Oscar nominee Noah Baumbach (The Squid and the Whale, Marriage Story, Barbie), who co-wrote the script with Emily Mortimer, the film follows George Clooney as the тιтular famous actor who travels through Europe with his loyal manager, contemplating their past decisions, relationships, and the legacies they’ll leave behind.
In addition to Clooney, Jay Kelly‘s cast includes Adam Sandler as his manager, alongside a large ensemble consisting of Oscar winner Laura Dern (Marriage Story), Emmy winner Billy Crudup (The Morning Show), Emmy nominee Riley Keough (Daisy Jones & The Six), Oscar winner Jim Broadbent (Iris), Patrick Wilson, Greta Gerwig, Isla Fisher, Emily Mortimer, and many more.
Following its premiere at the Venice Film Festival on August 28, Jay Kelly has debuted with an 84% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie only has 19 reviews at the time of writing, so its score could change as more are published. Jay Kelly doesn’t release in select theaters until November 14, so it won’t have an audience score until then, followed by its Netflix release on December 5.
What Jay Kelly’s Rotten Tomatoes Score Means For The Movie
The movie’s Rotten Tomatoes score means that its reviews are mostly positive. In ScreenRant‘s Jay Kelly review, Jack Walters writes, “Noah Baumbach’s new drama starring George Clooney breaks down the barrier between actor and character… Jay Kelly boasts another charming, layered performance from George Clooney, but the film doesn’t necessarily earn its overlong runtime.”
Otherwise, the reviews highlight Clooney’s commanding performance, with many critics calling it one of the finest of his career, while Sandler and the ensemble are also earning praise. Baumbach’s tender script and direction are also impressing many, though a few find the film overly sentimental. Overall, Jay Kelly has many admirers who consider it a poignant and revealing film.
