#TIFF26: “MISTY GREEN” REVIEW

By Amanda Gilmore

Chris Rock’s latest feature is a raw look at Hollywood and showcases a powerhouse performance from Rosalind Eleazar.

We follow Misty Green (Eleazar) whose attempting to make a comeback after losing a big project years ago helmed by director Jordan (Chris Rock). But he’s ready to give her another chance on his next project: a remake of Dreamgirls. This is everything Misty has wished for, but will she be able to finally stop being her worst enemy?

Rock thrusts us into today’s Hollywood with all its twisted glitz and glamour and follows a character who consistently gets in her own way. Misty lives in the apartment of her deceased flame. His widow finds her and, reluctantly, allows her to stay a little while longer. Even when she has important auditions the following morning, she’ll go out the night before with her former flame (Adam Driver) doing coke. She seems to find a way to sabotage all her best opportunities. 

It’s a very difficult part for any actor. Eleazar knocks it out of the park with a career-making performance that allows deep empathy for Misty. Even though we are enthralled by the Hollywood story about a star getting her comeback, it’s really the familial storyline here that feels the most impactful. When Misty’s bipolar brother (an outstanding Daniel Kaluuya) shows up we feel even more invested. 

Rock has crafted a strong character study and a raw look at Hollywood. But we can’t help feeling like Misty Green keeps building toward something that never fully arrives in the end. We appreciate Rock not succumbing to a traditional Hollywood ending, but we wish we had just a little longer with Misty and her brother to wrap things up.

Misty Green screens at TIFF ’26:

Sat. Sept 12 @ 9:30 PM at Roy Thompson Hall

Sun. Sept 13 @ 9 PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

Fri. Sept 18 @ 12:10 PM at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto

Sat. Sept 19 @ 3 PM at TIFF Lightbox