Standby

Jerry, a quiet and dispirited middle-aged gay actor, works as a standby for the hit off-Broadway show, "The Con Artiste!" Facing financial woes, loneliness, and questioning his art, he spends the day in rehearsal with a flirty young actor, the stage manager, and his bored fellow-understudies. At curtain time, when the lead actor calls in sick, Jerry is thrust into the star's dressing room and a whirlwind of last minute preparations. The curtain rises and, on cue, he walks onstage into the blazing lights to face not only an expectant audience, but also the possibility of a personal and artistic triumph - or failure.

Directed by Robert Gomes, Standby leans on a strong ensemble — Reed Birney, Pat Nesbit, Kelly Bishop — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about screen titles of 2025.