Chris Rock’s new film, Misty Green, centers on a woman who once had a successful career but now finds herself at a crossroads in Hollywood. The movie is Rock’s first as a director since 2014's Top Five and explores the challenges of fame, mental health, and industry struggles. Misty Green had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on Saturday, Sept. 12. The film played at Roy Thomson Hall as one of the festival’s major weekend premieres. Rock also wrote the screenplay and appears in the film. The story follows Misty Green, played by Rosalind Eleazar, a former TV star who is now living in a luxury apartment she no longer has the right to occupy. She’s been told to leave by the widow of her late benefactor, who had paid for the apartment, and now has just a week to find a new place.
Misty is a character full of contradictions — she’s talented, but also reckless and self-sabotaging, according to TheWrap. She has an Emmy from her past role in a popular TV show, but that’s all she has left to remind her of her former success, according to a report from The Guardian. The show inside the film is called Red Eye. Her life is messy and chaotic, with poor decisions leading to missed opportunities and personal setbacks. The Guardian noted that her problems come from both Hollywood’s limits and her own behavior. Misty is also nearly broke as she tries to hold on to the lifestyle she once had.
Rock’s film shows how Misty’s own actions often prevent her from moving forward in her career. Despite that, the movie is not just a story of failure — it also explores deeper themes like mental health and race relations in Hollywood. The film includes jokes about how the industry treats actors, especially women, but it doesn’t shy away from serious issues. Rock told Variety that he wanted the movie to examine the contradictions of Los Angeles. He pointed to extreme wealth existing beside homelessness as one of the ideas behind the story. He said the film was made for roughly $5 million, making it the smallest budget of his directing career.
Misty’s brother is struggling with bipolar disorder, and his condition adds emotional weight to the story. Daniel Kaluuya plays the brother in his first on-screen acting role in several years. Rock told Variety that he had to personally persuade Kaluuya to join the movie. The character of Jordan Green, played by Rock himself, is a director trying to bring back a classic musical role. Jordan is preparing a new version of Dreamgirls and sees a possible role for Misty. He once fired Misty for being unprofessional, and now he’s hesitant to give her another chance. Misty’s earlier behavior included arriving at work high and punching a crew member.
Misty’s journey is not just about getting a role — it's also about finding her place in a world that has forgotten her. The film is filled with humor and sharp observations, but it also gets emotionally heavy at times. Anna Kendrick plays Misty’s closest friend while Topher Grace plays her agent. Adam Driver appears as Zach, a man from Misty’s past who offers her a large amount of money for a morally questionable trip to Dubai. The offer becomes more tempting as Misty’s financial problems get worse.
One of the most memorable scenes has Misty singing a heartfelt version of Radiohead’s 'Creep' in a nightclub. The Guardian said the performance at the Roosevelt Hotel is one of the film’s strongest moments. The movie also features a subplot involving a slick producer who runs a sideline business with women from Hollywood. The film later gives Misty a chance to audition for Dreamgirls. That sequence puts her singing ability at the center of the story.
While the film is entertaining, it doesn’t always feel like it’s fully committed to its lower-class perspective. Some of the plotlines are convoluted and don’t always lead to satisfying conclusions. The Guardian criticized the film for trying to cover too many subjects at once. The review said Rock’s many subplots sometimes pull attention away from Misty herself. The ending feels abrupt and leaves some questions unanswered.
Despite its flaws, the film is praised for Rosalind Eleazar’s powerful performance as Misty Green. Eleazar brings depth and range to a character who is both flawed and magnetic. Rock told Variety that Eleazar flew herself from London to Los Angeles for an in-person audition that lasted about 40 minutes. He said other actresses and singers had been considered for the role. He said Eleazar was clearly the best choice. She’s able to show Misty’s vulnerability, strength, and complexity in ways that make her unforgettable. The film is a showcase for Eleazar's talents, even if the story doesn’t always support her fully. TIFF also selected Eleazar as one of its 2026 Tribute Award honorees.
Misty Green will be released in theaters on October 9 by A24. The film also features Anthony Anderson, Amy Landecker, Tracie Thoms and other supporting players. The October release will give audiences outside the festival circuit their first broad chance to see Rock’s return to directing.