Chris Rock’s latest feature Misty Green by A24 will surely leave audiences divided as it touches on more than a few intersections within the Hollywood industrial complex. And where you lie within those intersections, will either offend or intrigue you on this narrative. But one thing that many critics, including myself, say is that the film’s protagonist, Rosalind Eleazar is the heart and soul of this movie.
My hope is that A24, a studio notable for being a major player in the awards space, gets behind Eleazar for her incredibly impactful performance that not only resonates, but will leave wanting to see more of her work. Slow Horses is currently streaming on Apple TV+ by the way.
With an all-star cast, which clearly looks like an ensemble of actors Chris Rock is pretty chummy with, the film also stars Daniel Kaluuya, Topher Grace, Adam Driver, Tracie Thoms and Anna Kendrick. In the story, Misty Green is a once-celebrated actress struggling to revive her career in Hollywood. Although she earned an Emmy during her heyday, her addiction to narcotics has made it increasingly difficult for her to meet deadlines, remember her lines, and maintain the professional discipline the industry demands. Her substance abuse has not only damaged her reputation but also cost her major opportunities, including the chance to work with Jordan (Chris Rock), a highly regarded director who could have helped usher in her long-awaited comeback. Now, Misty must confront the personal demons threatening to derail her career once and for all.
Meanwhile, Misty’s brother, played by Daniel Kaluuya, is living with bipolar disorder. As she tries to support him and navigate his mental health challenges, she must also confront the mounting pressures and complications in her own life.
What Chris Rock does in this film as I mentioned in the opening lede of this review is leave audiences divided in his assessment of Hollywood navigated though the lens of a Black woman. And I’m not quite sure if that is intentional or by design. However, it could be. Here’s what I mean, in the film, every toxic relationship Misty engages in with a man is toxic. Her agent, played by Topher Grace, does not exactly have her best interests at heart. He is written as a fairly two-dimensional, greedy, and self-serving Hollywood representative. In his defense, however, there is a scene in which he rejects Misty’s sexual advances. It is an uncomfortable and somewhat cringeworthy moment for her character, but its purpose seems clear: to illustrate just how desperate Misty has become as she tries to hold on to whatever remains of her career.
There’s also Zach (Adam Driver), a money-hungry, drug-addicted former filmmaker who is a “friend with benefits” kind of guy for Misty. He is the epitome of a male predator and uses women to exert power. Sadly Misty falls into the trappings of these men and has no healthy relationships at all. And while there is some flirtatiousness with Jordan played by Chris Rock himself (which seems like a self insert) that isn’t all too healthy either.
There is more at the heart of Misty Green than a critique of the Hollywood system and its tendency to discard women once they are no longer considered profitable or desirable. The film is also an intimate examination of a woman struggling with self-respect, self-love, and confidence as she tries to determine where she belongs in a world that has seemingly moved on without her. Misty’s identity has become so closely tied to her former success that, as her career fades, her sense of self begins to unravel along with it.
Her journey is not simply about securing another role or reclaiming her place in the spotlight. It is about confronting the destructive patterns that have kept her trapped and learning to recognize her value beyond awards, fame, and professional validation. Beneath the film’s Hollywood satire is a story about a deeply flawed woman attempting to rebuild her life, rediscover her purpose, and decide whether she can love herself enough to move forward.
One thing is for certain when you watch this film is that the performance of Rosalind Eleazar cannot be ignored. As I have mentioned before, A24 needs to go heavy campaigning for Rosalind in the Best Actress category. Her performance is the anchor of this movie and she sells every bit of it. The plot can get a little uneven at times, but Rosalind still makes the movie worth every bit of your time. Misty Green releases in theaters October 9, 2026.
