R | 1h 43m | Drama | 2026
Hollywood has always been infatuated with itself. Movies about the industry abound in every genre imaginable, ranging from biopics to historical dramas to satires. “Misty Green” joins that pile, marking stand-up comedian Chris Rock‘s fourth feature film as a writer-director.
Rock’s on both sides of the camera here. “Misty Green” is an examination of a well-known actress’s life as she endures personal and professional setbacks during a week-long countdown to homelessness.
‘Misty Green’
It’s been nearly 20 years since 40-something Misty Green (British actress Rosalind Eleazar) was a popular, Emmy Award-winning TV actress. Now, she’s suddenly faced with eviction from her upscale, beachfront Santa Monica condo.
When her boyfriend and financial sugar daddy died, his widow Celine (Amy Landecker) inherited everything, and she is absolutely livid to discover that her late spouse’s side-chick has been crashing in his apartment for free, and for four years, no less.
Celine is about to throw Misty out on her ear. In a bit of mildly comedic irony, she spots Misty’s Emmy, realizes she’s the star of the hit TV show “Red Eye,” gets a bit starstruck, and gives Misty seven days instead of one to pack her things.
Looking to make some desperately needed cash, Misty’s soon back on the LA audition treadmill, enduring a variety of humiliations, such as self-tape auditions. Her notorious reputation precedes her, stirring up further distress whenever she encounters hostile casting directors she’s previously run afoul of. As the showbiz saying goes, “Be nice to the people you meet on your way up, because you’ll meet them on your way down.”
Jordan (Rock), an old industry colleague is getting ready to direct a remake of “Dreamgirls.” He reconnects with Misty, who would love nothing better than to land a leading role in the production, to remind Hollywood not only of her acting chops, but also to showcase her formidable singing skills.
Temptations and Distractions
Misty is quite the party girl. Zach (Adam Driver)—a Hollywood player who likes to frequent bathroom stalls crammed with cocaine and party girls—enjoys feeding Misty drugs in bathroom stalls whenever possible. He also offers her serious amounts of moolah if she’ll agree to travel to Dubai to be a sex toy for wealthy sheiks. Misty is offended. Sex in stalls with Zach, sure, but glorified prostitution? Please. But will she remain steadfast in her, uh, impeccable moral rectitude?
Misty also has a bipolar brother, Jay (Daniel Kaluuya), who’s fresh out of prison and often off his meds, adding to her problems while she attempts to survive her week of Hollywood hustling.
Misty’s got a similarly struggling actress pal, Naomi (Anna Kendrick), who’s habitually unfaithful to her fiancée. Throughout the ordeal, Misty badgers her long-suffering agent, Randy (Topher Grace), to find her work. Randy’s well aware of his client’s fondness for self-sabotage, and he regrets the day he slipped and allowed things to get decidedly unprofessional.
Who Cares?
Why on earth should we care about this woman? That’s a very good question. Misty is toxic, entitled, spoiled, narcissistic; she is easily influenced and makes bad decisions. However, due to Eleazer’s formidable charisma, there’s just enough substance to keep one’s attention. This examination of a troubled person slowly realizing that she’s her own worst enemy is a character arc that encompasses most of us, after all.
However, Rock adds too much melodrama. The overkill results in viewer fatigue. Also, casting himself in a drama isn’t a great idea. Everyone wants to go against brand, and some professional funnymen, like Jim Carrey and Eddie Murphy, can pull it off. While Rock the man has gravitas and restraint (best evidenced by his waiting a year to address the now-infamous Oscar ceremony debacle), Rock the actor is better served by serving up the funny.
‘Misty Green’
Director: Chris Rock
Starring: Rosalind Eleazar, Adam Driver, Anna Kendrick, Topher Grace, Chris Rock
MPAA Rating: R
Running Time: 1 hour, 43 minutes
Release Date: Oct. 9, 2026
Rating: 2 1/5 stars out of 5
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