Few movies can be categorized as “art imitating life” more than “Jay Kelly.” Netflix’s new comedy-drama flick comes from Noah Baumbach, co-writer of “Barbie” and director of “Marriage Story,” and sees George Clooney play a big-screen A-lister reflecting on his successful decades-spanning Hollywood career. It's a role that George Clooney is very well-suited to play.
Rated 86% by viewers on Rotten Tomatoes and climbing into the third spot in Netflix's top 10 most-watched list over the weekend, “Jay Kelly” is off to a strong start on the streaming service. It’s not hard to see why viewers are enjoying this charming but melancholic comedy-drama. Clooney is in full-on “movie star” mode in the eponymous role, and Adam Sandler is already being tipped for his first-ever Oscar nomination for his supporting turn as Kelly’s manager, who goes on his own emotional arc throughout the movie.
I caught “Jay Kelly” last month during its limited theatrical run, and I'm pleased to see it going down well on Netflix. I’d argue Baumbaunch strays a little too far into self-indulgent territory, but I mostly found “Jay Kelly” to be a pleasant and emotionally stirring celebration of cinema and the larger-than-life actors whose talent transforms them into more than names on a poster.
What is ‘Jay Kelly’ about?
Jay Kelly (Clooney) is a successful and beloved actor who has recently wrapped his latest big-screen picture. Eager to connect with his increasingly distant youngest daughter, he books a trip to Europe to crash her travels under the guise of accepting an honorary tribute award in Tuscany.
With his long-suffering manager, Ron (Adam Sandler), publicist, Liz (Laura Dern), and multi-person entourage in tow, the trip through Europe gives Kelly the chance to reflect on his career, the highs and the lows, and ponder the personal sacrifices made in the name of becoming a movie star.
Part buddy road-trip flick, part character-driven drama, and with a sizeable scoop of doe-eyed affection for the movie business thrown in for good measure, “Jay Kelly” sees Noah Baumbach operating in familiar territory with a largely breezy tone and a script stuffed with sharp observations.
Should you stream ‘Jay Kelly’ on Netflix?
Movies about the business (and art) of making movies aren’t a new concept. Clooney himself featured in 2016’s “Hail, Caesar!”, which celebrated the Golden Age of Hollywood, but where “Jay Kelly” stands out from the crowd is by placing its focus very directly on the people, or in this case, a person, who spend their careers pretending to be somebody else.
Clooney is so perfectly suited for the titular role of Jay Kelly that I’m convinced co-writers Baumbauch and Emily Mortimer conceived the part with the A-lister in mind. Kelly has charisma for days, and has spent his life featuring in movies that have become important cultural touchstones for millions of viewers worldwide. His impact on the world is neatly showcased in a scene where he boards a busy train, and the entire carriage is star-struck to see such a famous face slumming it with them in economy class.
While the majority of the movie is set in the present day, exploring Kelly’s fractured relationship with his two daughters and his dynamic with his manager, my favorite moments see the actor take a literal walk down memory lane. Flashbacks to key moments in his career are presented with the current-day Kelly in the room, sometimes silently observing, sometimes providing critical context as he reflects on his legacy and journey to stardom.
The relationship between Kelly and Ron is another critical component. Ron views himself as more than just a well-paid member of the actor’s team, but as a real friend and confidant. A belief that is challenged as the pair’s European trip unfolds. Liz particularly questions the idea, lamenting how much of her own life she’s been forced to give up to keep the Kelly machine rolling on. While I don’t think this is Sandler’s best performance (that comes in 2018’s “Uncut Gems”), it’s a strong reminder that Sandler is capable of so much more than the slapstick potty humor he’s most (in)famous for.
As is typically the case with movies about movies, “Jay Kelly” does veer into self-indulgence. Baumbach has been part of the Hollywood system for more than three decades, and many of the movie’s nods to its inner workings feel targeted more towards the writer/director's peers than the everyday Joe’s watching at home on Netflix. Plus, the overall message about the power of the movies might read as more than a little self-important to some viewers.
Nevertheless, movies are powerful. And never is this more successfully celebrated than in the finale, which incorporates a montage of Clooney’s real-life career to great effect. Dedicated movie buffs will cherish this spine-tingling sequence, and it serves as a reminder that Clooney himself has built quite the filmography over the years. Sure, it raises a few continuity questions if you want to take it literally, but as Kelly breaks the fourth wall to address viewers directly, the overall message comes through loud and clear.
Putting its indulgences aside, “Jay Kelly” is a pleasant comedy-drama, anchored by note-perfect casting and an emotionally affecting melancholy. It celebrates Hollywood much more than it satirizes the industry, but I’m okay with that. As a passionate movie fan myself, it had me reflecting on the formative films in my own life, and the stars who bring beloved characters to life. And the ending distills that ethos into five minutes of pure movie magic.
If you’re not totally sold on “Jay Kelly” and want to consider all your streaming options before committing to your next Netflix watch, here’s a guide to everything new on Netflix in December 2025, including plenty of seasonal selections and the latest TV shows, too.
Watch "Jay Kelly" on Netflix now
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