Jay Kelly (2025): Cast, Ratings & Ending
Jay Kelly is a 2025 comedy drama directed by Noah Baumbach, starring George Clooney as Jay Kelly, Adam Sandler and Laura Dern. It runs 2 hours 12 minutes. It won 1 award from 6 nominations, including Feature Big Budget – Comedy at the Artios Awards 2026. Critics gave it 75% on Rotten Tomatoes and 67 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 12m (132 min)
- Director
- Noah Baumbach
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Heyday Films
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Jay Kelly About?
The premise of Jay Kelly without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
Renowned actor Jay Kelly (George Clooney) and his loyal manager Ron (Adam Sandler) set off on a fast‑paced, surprisingly introspective tour of Europe. As they travel, each must confront the consequences of past decisions, examine the bonds with family and friends, and consider the lasting impact they will leave behind.
Jay Kelly Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- showbiz drama
- showbiz
- buddy comedy
- character name as title
- actor
- filmmaking
- dog
- funeral
- manager
- audition
- coming of age
- dramedy drama
+38 more Show fewer
- coming of age drama
- filmmaker
- buddy
- two word title
- looking in the mirror
- talking on the phone
- cheering
- making a movie
- clapping
- director
- slice of cheesecake
- acting
- cleaning a swimming pool
- cast and crew
- water
- making a sandwich
- trailer
- pickles
- agent
- bad news
- man hugs a man
- flashback
- slice of bread
- olive oil
- mayonnaise
- cutting a tomato
- meeting an old friend
- handshake
- shooting a movie
- eating a sandwich
- reference to gen z
- bar
- former actor
- man wears sunglasses
- following somebody
- old friend
- fake crying
- handkerchief
Jay Kelly Cast & Characters
George Clooney leads the cast as Jay Kelly, with Adam Sandler as Ron and Laura Dern as Liz. Directed by Noah Baumbach; 20 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Noah Baumbach
-
George Clooney as Jay Kelly -
Adam Sandler as Ron -
Laura Dern as Liz -
Jim Broadbent as Jimbo
Also Starring in Jay Kelly
· 16 moreMore from Noah Baumbach
More films directed by Noah Baumbach, best-rated first: Marriage Story, Frances Ha, De Palma and The Squid and the Whale.
Jay Kelly Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Jay Kelly 75% on Rotten Tomatoes and 67 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 56/100, strongest in art & craft (65) and weakest in rewatch factor (45).
Jay Kelly Echo Score Breakdown
Jay Kelly presents a polished aesthetic and strong central performances, yet its narrative often drifts into self‑indulgent territory. Critics commend the film’s visual elegance and Clooney’s nuanced turn, while many viewers find the story sluggish and the tone overly introspective. The divide between artistic ambition and audience connection results in a mixed reception that settles in the mid‑range.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 65
In terms of art and craft, the film showcases refined cinematography and meticulous production design, earning praise for its polished look. Critics note the elegant visual palette and balanced editing, though a few mention moments that feel overly glossy. Viewers echo the appreciation for technical competence but some perceive it as superficial. Overall, the craftsmanship is solid but not universally compelling.
- Character & Emotion 58
When it comes to character and emotion, Clooney delivers a layered portrayal that many find compelling, and Sandler’s restrained drama adds depth. However, several reviewers criticize the protagonists as self‑absorbed and hard to relate to. Audience comments frequently label the characters as unlikable, yet a minority highlight nuanced performances. The net impression is moderately positive but hampered by limited audience empathy.
- Story & Flow 50
The story and flow blend moments of originality with conventional storytelling, resulting in an uneven narrative. Critics acknowledge an engaging premise about fame and regret, yet point to pacing issues and occasional blandness. User feedback mirrors this split, with some praising the emotional arc while others call the plot meandering and self‑indulgent. Consequently, the storytelling lands squarely in the mixed range.
- Sensory Experience 62
Sensory experience receives commendation for its soundtrack integration and visual cohesion, with reviewers noting an effective use of montage and period transitions. The sound design supports the film’s reflective tone, though a few users find the audio cluttered by product placement. Overall, the sensory elements contribute positively to the viewing experience, outweighing minor criticisms.
- Rewatch Factor 45
Rewatch factor is tempered by the film’s polarizing themes and pacing; some viewers anticipate revisiting its nuanced performances, while many deem the length and self‑referential tone a barrier to repeat viewings. Critics express modest enthusiasm for a second look, but audience sentiment leans toward viewing it as a one‑time experience. The replay value therefore sits below average.
-
IMDb 6.5 /10
42346 votes
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 75% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 86%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 67 Metascore
User score 6.1
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 61% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.3 /5
203050 ratings
See on Letterboxd
Jay Kelly Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Jay Kelly from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Jay Kelly finishes filming his latest project and, as a renowned actor, longs for a few quiet days with his youngest daughter Daisy before she heads to Europe for college. She’s not much interested in a father-daughter retreat, preferring to run off with friends, and the distance between them has quietly widened over the years, leaving both unsure how to bridge it.
Full summary
The whole story of Jay Kelly, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Jay Kelly Awards & Nominations
Jay Kelly won 1 award from 6 nominations, including Feature Big Budget – Comedy at the Artios Awards 2026. Its biggest night was the Artios Awards 2026, with 1 win from 1 nomination.
1 win6 nominations3 ceremonies
-
Artios Awards 2026 1 win · 1 nomination- Won Feature Big Budget – Comedy
-
Critics' Choice 2026 3 nominations- Nominated Best Original Screenplay
- Nominated Best Picture
- Nominated Best Supporting Actor – Adam Sandler
-
Golden Globes 2026 2 nominations- Nominated Best Male Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy – George Clooney
- Nominated Best Supporting Male Actor in a Motion Picture – Adam Sandler
Jay Kelly Trailers & Videos
10 videos: 1 trailer, 1 teaser, 6 featurettes and 2 behind-the-scenes videos.
- Teaser Official Teaser
- Featurette Noah Baumbach, George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Laura Dern & More on Jay Kelly
- Featurette Noah Baumbach, George Clooney, Laura Dern, Billy Crudup & Riley Keough on Jay Kelly
- Featurette Joachim Trier and Noah Baumbach on Crafting Sentimental Value and Jay Kelly
How Well Do You Know Jay Kelly?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who serves as Jay Kelly's longtime manager throughout the film?
Jay Kelly Also Known As
12 alternative titles, including “杰·凯利” and “제이 켈리”.
- Also known as
-
- 杰·凯利
- 제이 켈리
- Джей Келлі
- 影星杰·凯利
- 影星傑凱利
- เจย์ เคลลี
- ג'יי קלי
- Джей Келли
- جاي كيلي
- जे केली
- Τζέι Κέλι
- ジェイ・ケリー
Seen Jay Kelly?
Movies Like Jay Kelly
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Cohens and Kellys in Hollywood, King Kelly of the U.S.A. and Jack Goes Boating.
Articles About Jay Kelly
Our article about Jay Kelly: “Jay Kelly (2025) Review, Critics Opinions & Fan Reception – Performance, Storytelling & Franchise Context”.
-
Opinions
Jay Kelly FAQ: Cast, Awards & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Jay Kelly, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Jay Kelly?
Jay Kelly runs 2 hours 12 minutes (132 minutes).
When was Jay Kelly released?
Jay Kelly was released on November 14, 2025.
Who directed Jay Kelly?
Jay Kelly was directed by Noah Baumbach.
More films by Noah Baumbach Who is in the cast of Jay Kelly?
Jay Kelly stars George Clooney as Jay Kelly, Adam Sandler as Ron and Laura Dern as Liz, among 20 credited actors.
How is Jay Kelly rated?
Jay Kelly has 6.5/10 on IMDb, 75% on Rotten Tomatoes, 67 on Metacritic and 61% on TMDB.
What awards did Jay Kelly win?
Jay Kelly won 1 award from 6 nominations, including Feature Big Budget – Comedy at the Artios Awards 2026.
Does Jay Kelly have a post-credit scene?
No. Jay Kelly has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
