Kali Reis on Instinct, Identity, and Stories That Refuse To Be Silenced
- Vingt Sept
- Apr 14
- 7 min read
Updated: Apr 15
Kali Reis does not arrive in Hollywood so much as she disrupts it. A multi-world champion boxer who recalibrated her life with striking precision, Reis has carved out a screen presence in just a few years that feels both instinctive and quietly formidable. There's nothing ornamental about her performances; each role carries a lived-in weight, shaped as much by experience as by craft.
Her breakthrough came with Catch the Fair One, a project she co-wrote and anchored with a rawness that refused to be diluted. It was a debut that announced not only an actor, but a storyteller; one invested in narratives that confront rather than comfort. That same emotional clarity carried into True Detective: Night Country, where, opposite Jodie Foster, Reis delivered a performance defined by restraint, intensity, and an unspoken interiority that lingered long after the screen faded to black.
Now, her trajectory enters a new register. With MERCY, a near-future thriller exploring justice at the hands of artificial intelligence, Reis steps into the studio arena alongside Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson. Yet even as the scale expands, her choices remain anchored in something more deliberate: a commitment to stories that hold tension between personal truth and wider systems of power.
Off-screen, Reis continues to honour her Seaconke Wampanoag and Cape Verdean heritage, using her platform to bring visibility to Indigenous communities and narratives too often overlooked. It’s this duality of strength and sensitivity, of action and introspection, that defines her current moment.
With a slate that spans Wind River: Rising, Rebuilding, and the next chapter of Resident Evil, Reis is not simply building a career; she is shaping a body of work with intention.
In conversation with Vingt Sept, she reflects on instinct, identity, and the evolving language of storytelling.
Your transition from world champion boxer to award-nominated actor has been remarkably swift. How do you emotionally process such a profound shift in identity?
Emotionally, it’s been such a wild ride. From juggling life changes at the beginning of my acting career to learning on the job when I started on my first film. I feel like the transition from being a world champion fighter to a nominated actor has been smooth. They're both entertainment businesses; that part seemed very familiar to me. We train and rehearse the outcome, but we have to be present and focused in the moment to execute the best plan in real time, for both fighting and acting. There are so many parallels between the two crafts. What has been saving me emotionally is the amazing support system I have and the ability to find ways to stay grounded, no matter where I am.
In True Detective: Night Country, your character, Evangeline Navarro, carries both physical and spiritual weight. How much of that role felt instinctive to you versus something you had to learn?
Playing Navarro in True Detective: Night Country was physically, spiritually and mentally challenging in so many phenomenal ways. Issa Lopez created such a specific character that I instantly related to on almost every level. I had a lot of fun finding what we didn’t have in common. The “why” of carrying the weight for ‘Navarro’ and me was instinctively aligned. I had to learn and create the finer details of her narrative, backstory and what she has actually been through to get to where we meet her.
You’ve spoken previously about trusting your intuition on set. Has that instinct been shaped more by boxing or by life experience?
I’d say both to be fair. I’ve definitely lived a life so far, a blessed one for sure, filled with many lessons. Boxing found me at a time when I truly needed it and has helped sharpen my intuition. Not just the physical aspect of boxing, but most certainly the psychological and mental aspects.
Your breakout performance came with Catch the Fair One, which you also co-wrote. Do you still feel a pull towards storytelling from the ground up, beyond acting alone?
Absolutely. In storytelling, you need a foundation to stand on, especially if you are telling a story from the perspective of a real person or group. It’s best to go right to the source and work from there, in my opinion. It gives more authenticity. We see ourselves in others.
There’s often a raw physicality in your roles. Do you ever find yourself consciously dialling that intensity up or down for the camera?
I’m a very physically present person, and I'm definitely aware of my physical presence. I make sure I know the character thoroughly so I can calibrate the type of physical presence the character needs.
With MERCY, you’re stepping into a near-future world shaped by AI and moral urgency. What drew you to this project in particular?
What drew me to this project in particular, first and foremost, was the script. It captures you from the very first page. The realistic, not-so-distant-future dynamic of this story is so relevant to the world we live in. Mercy is an interesting “what if” take on how the world operates right now, while simultaneously expanding the scope of technology into a human experience.
Working alongside actors like Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson, did you feel a shift in scale or energy compared to your previous work?
I’ve had the opportunity to work with very seasoned professional phenomenal artists in all aspects of this craft. Working with actors like Jodie Foster, Chris Pratt and Rebecca Ferguson has just continued to elevate my experience while learning so much so fast. I’m truly amazed at being able to witness these artists' work and take it all in.
The premise of MERCY raises questions about justice and truth. What are your thoughts on AI technology in today's world?
I think AI technology is just like any other tool. We can use tools to build, and we can also use tools to destroy. It’s usually the hand behind the tools that picks the lane. I’m still in the early stages of learning about AI technology, but I can say that I know AI is learning how to be from us. So maybe a good question to raise is, are we being the best humans that we can be, and what do we want AI to learn from us?
You’ve built a career portraying women navigating systems of power and injustice. What stories do you still feel are missing from mainstream cinema?
I think the true story of how the land was discovered, from the perspective and factual history of the Indigenous people, my people, who made first contact with settlers in the North East, and where we are today, has not yet been told in a way that makes us feel seen and heard in the mainstream landscape. I feel like the strength, resilience and leadership of the women of that history haven’t been told.
With projects like 12 12 12 and the new Resident Evil on the horizon, how are you choosing roles at this stage in your career?
Not to sound “woo woo” haha, but I’m a firm believer that what’s meant for me will most definitely find me. I want to be a part of fun, cool, creative stories and really stretch those acting muscles. I love projects that catch me off guard while reading the script or pull me in.
Returning to the world of Wind River: Rising, what does it mean to be part of a story that already carries such cultural and emotional weight?
It means a lot to me to be a part of stories like Wind River: Rising. The first film touched on issues that, unfortunately, are everyday experiences for many communities. People watched because it was a mainstream film, but also learned that this wasn’t just a made-up plot. Wind River: Rising was such a wonderful film to work on because we were able to work directly with the community and even have it as a huge part of the film. We need to see ourselves more.
You’ve been very intentional about honouring your Seaconke Wampanoag and Cape Verdean heritage. How does that responsibility inform the roles you accept?
I can step into any role and be anybody, but at the end of the day, I will always be me. I represent so much. If the role calls for me to relate to the character in those aspects, it’s a plus, but it’s even better when it doesn’t, and I’m still me playing a character representing who I am and where I come from.
Do you feel the industry is genuinely shifting in its representation of Indigenous stories, or is there still a long road ahead?
I feel like we are getting there, but we need to continue to strive for authenticity.
On a more personal note, what does a quiet day in Philadelphia look like for you when you’re not working?
I love being outside! In nature or with my family and friends. I’m from Rhode Island and love being on the water or near the ocean. I also love staying active at the gym, running, reading, walking the dog and doing normal chill things. I’m really low-key and a homebody. You can find me all wrapped up in a blanket near a fire with some tea and my little Frenchie, Quincy Bonez.
Boxing requires immense discipline and solitude. Do you ever miss that world, or has acting replaced that adrenaline in a different way?
Nothing will ever replace my first love, boxing. It’s the reason I’m even able to talk about acting; without it, I don’t think acting would have even found me. I’ll always be involved in boxing in some way, whether it’s inside the ring, outside coaching, commentary or promoting a boxing event. Acting and storytelling are just another art form I’ve fallen in love with.
What’s something about you that audiences would be surprised to learn, something that doesn’t fit the intensity of your on-screen presence?
I asked for a violin for Christmas when I was 9 years old and played until I was in my early teens. I was also the band president in junior high school and in the high school marching band. I also did a year on the Flag Corp!
I like the mystery and keeping y'all guessing, haha.
If you could collaborate with any filmmaker or actor (past or present), who would it be, and why?
Quentin Tarantino, as a director and Denzel Washington, as an actor. I mean, do I really need to explain? Haha
Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, what kind of legacy do you hope to build through your work in film and television?
I hope to build a lasting legacy. One that says I was brave enough to take chances. I hope to make a positive impact on people and inspire something that makes their world just a little brighter, even for a moment.
Finally, what feels more powerful to you now: telling your own story, or helping bring someone else’s to life?
Helping bring someone else to life.
Mercy is out now in theatres
Resident Evil will be released in theatres in September 2026
Fashion Toye Adedipe
Hair by Norman Richard Grant
MUA Taye Rivera
Interview by Jheanelle Feanny
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