Chris Rock Steps Behind the Camera for “Misty Green”

Chris Rock takes on writing and directing duties for his upcoming film Misty Green, and the story at its center feels as sharp and personal as anything he’s made.

Rosalind Eleazar leads the cast as the title character, a confident, Emmy-winning actress best known for a fictional 2009 ABC series called Red Hot. Years past her peak, Misty now lives in her late lover’s Santa Monica condo while she supports her brother Jay, played by Daniel Kaluuya, who lives with bipolar disorder.

Life gets complicated fast. Her lover’s widow, played by Amy Landecker, arrives at the condo to sell the property and finds Misty there, dressed and made up like she still belongs. After the initial shock, the widow gives Misty seven days to move out. With the clock running, Misty leans on her agent Randy, played by Topher Grace, who lines up an audition that could turn things around.

The story doesn’t make redemption easy for her. Instead of preparing for her shot, Misty gets pulled into a messy situation with Zach, a sleazy filmmaker played by Adam Driver, who offers her a six-figure payday to travel overseas and entertain a wealthy fan of her old show. She turns him down. Around her, an industry that once celebrated her now treats her like a relic, with younger actresses gushing about how their mothers loved her work. Her real comfort comes from a singing gig at the Roosevelt Hotel and hot yoga sessions with her best friend Naomi, played by Anna Kendrick.

A turning point arrives when Misty reconnects with Jordan, a director played by Chris Rock himself. Jordan offers her a real shot at a comeback: a reboot of Dreamgirls that’s struggling to cast a Black actress and singer for the role of Deena. Misty fights to hold her life together while chasing that opportunity, trying to secure both her career and a place to call home.

“Misty Green”

Years after her Hollywood breakthrough, a talented actress whose career has stalled fights for her second act.

This kind of story lineup signals something special, and the cast behind it matches the weight of the material. Daniel Kaluuya continues to build one of the most respected careers in film, known for roles that carry real nuance. Rosalind Eleazar brings range and depth to every project she touches, and this role asks her to carry both humor and heartbreak at once. Adam Driver and Anna Kendrick bring their own distinct energy to the ensemble, and Topher Grace rounds out a group of actors who clearly trust Rock’s creative direction.

Rock stepping into the writer-director chair matters here. He built his career on sharp observation and timing, qualities that translate well to storytelling behind the camera. His past directing work shows an interest in stories that feel personal and specific, and Misty Green appears to continue that pattern, right down to his own supporting role as the warm, redemptive director Jordan.

This story carries real weight for anyone who’s watched the entertainment industry sideline Black women as they age, even after real success. Misty’s journey speaks to resilience, reinvention, and the fight to be seen on her own terms.

What’s clear right now is the excitement building around the people involved, and with a cast this talented bringing the story to life, Misty Green looks like one to watch for.