Rosalind Eleazar in 'Misty Green'
While Chris Rock’s Hollywood satire 'Misty Green' is packed with A-listers like Daniel Kaluuya and Adam Driver, it’s Rosalind Eleazar who walks away with the entire film. Known to some for her roles in shows like 'Slow Horses,' Eleazar is a revelation
here as Misty, a Black actress fighting for a career comeback while navigating personal turmoil. Critics are calling her performance the anchor and heart of the movie, delivering a complex, resonant portrayal of a woman trying to rediscover her own value beyond fame. The buzz is so strong that her name is already being floated for major awards consideration, with many viewers and reviewers agreeing her work is career-defining. If you didn't know her before, 'Misty Green' ensures you won't forget her.
Anthony Ippolito in 'I Play Rocky'
Playing a well-known celebrity is always a gamble, but Anthony Ippolito’s turn as a young, unknown Sylvester Stallone is being called an uncanny triumph. The film, 'I Play Rocky,' tells the story of how Stallone, a struggling actor on the verge of homelessness, willed the iconic boxing movie into existence against all odds. Ippolito, who some might recognize from 'The Offer,' captures Stallone’s spirit without resorting to simple imitation. Reviewers are hailing his performance as soulful, funny, and deeply inspiring, predicting it will not only make him a star but could also land him in the Oscar conversation. In a crowd-pleasing film that's already a favorite for TIFF's People's Choice Award, Ippolito’s breakout performance is the main event.
Mathilde Arcel in 'Woman Unknown'
Danish-Egyptian director May el-Toukhy’s postwar drama 'Woman Unknown' arrived at TIFF already carrying significant weight, having won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. At the center of that victory is a shattering performance from Mathilde Arcel, who also won the Best Actress award at Venice. Arcel plays Marie, a maid in post-WWII Denmark on the verge of marrying her boss, all while hiding a dark secret from her past during the German occupation. Critics have praised the film for immersing the viewer in her psyche, with Arcel delivering a haunting portrayal of a woman terrified her past will be exposed. For North American audiences largely unfamiliar with her work, Arcel's devastating performance is an unforgettable introduction.
Hudson Williams in 'YAGA'
Sometimes a star-making turn happens on the small screen. TIFF’s Primetime lineup, which showcases television, is generating massive buzz for 'YAGA,' a supernatural noir series based on Slavic folklore. The show features familiar faces like Carrie-Anne Moss and Noah Reid, but it’s Hudson Williams who has people talking. Williams, previously known to fans of the romance novel adaptation 'Heated Rivalry,' plays a wealthy heir whose disappearance kicks off the central mystery. Cast as the party-boy victim in the darkly comedic thriller, Williams has leveraged the role into a major platform at the festival, even landing an intimate “Making Waves With…” panel discussion. It’s a sure sign that his move from book adaptation heartthrob to prestige TV player is just beginning.
Ruth Madeley in 'Being Heumann'
In 'Being Heumann,' from 'CODA' director Siân Heder, British actress Ruth Madeley takes on the monumental role of Judy Heumann, the “mother of the disability rights movement.” While Madeley has an impressive resume in the UK, this film is poised to be her breakout moment with American audiences. The film centers on Heumann’s incredible activism, and critics are highlighting Madeley's powerful portrayal. The combination of an important true story, an Oscar-winning director, and a compelling lead performance has many suggesting Madeley could be a serious contender in the upcoming awards season. It’s the kind of transformative role that makes audiences see an actor in a whole new light.
