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Crime thriller

Rosemead (2025): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Rosemead (2025) movie poster

Rosemead is a 2025 crime thriller directed by Eric Lin, starring Lucy Liu as Irene, Lawrence Shou and Orion Lee. It runs 1 hour 37 minutes and earned $287,988 worldwide. Critics gave it 87% on Rotten Tomatoes and 72 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10.

IMDb rating
6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
87%
worldwide gross
$288K
Echo Score
58
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Rosemead (2025) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 37m (97 min)
Director
Eric Lin
Genres
Crime , Drama , Thriller
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Rosemead About?

The premise of Rosemead without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Ailing mother (Lucy Liu) takes desperate action to shield her troubled teenage son (Lawrence Shou) from his growing darkness. As his obsessive behavior escalates and time dwindles, she confronts impossible decisions, pushing the limits of what she’ll risk and sacrifice to keep him safe.

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Cast & crew

Rosemead Cast & Characters

Lucy Liu leads the cast as Irene, with Lawrence Shou as Joe and Orion Lee as Charles. Directed by Eric Lin; 21 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Rosemead

· 17 more
Show all 21 cast members
From the director

More from Eric Lin

One more film directed by Eric Lin: Music Palace.

Full filmography
Ratings

Rosemead Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Rosemead 87% on Rotten Tomatoes and 72 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 58/100, strongest in character & emotion (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (45).

58 /100

Rosemead Echo Score Breakdown

Rosemead delivers a deeply emotional portrait anchored by Lucy Liu’s powerful performance, yet its narrative weight often eclipses structural finesse. Critics commend its authenticity and thematic relevance, while several note a tendency toward bleakness and uneven pacing. Viewer reactions echo this split, praising the acting while questioning the story’s depth and replay appeal. Consequently, the film lands in the moderate range, reflecting both its striking strengths and notable shortcomings.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 60

    In terms of direction and visual execution, Rosemead presents a restrained aesthetic that serves its intimate subject matter without many stylistic flourishes. Critics acknowledge competent editing, though some point to a dragging cadence in later scenes. User commentary similarly notes occasional pacing lapses, suggesting the craftsmanship, while solid, does not elevate the film beyond its narrative core. Overall, the technical execution is adequate but unremarkable.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When evaluating performance and emotional depth, Rosemead excels, largely due to Lucy Liu’s nuanced portrayal of a terminally ill mother. Critics and users alike highlight her naturalistic turn as a central strength, and supporting actor Lawrence Shou receives commendation as well. Despite some remarks about limited character development for secondary figures, the dominant consensus affirms that the lead performances provide compelling resonance. Thus, character work stands as the film’s most robust element.

  • Story & Flow 55

    The narrative structure of Rosemead intertwines cultural specificity with universal dilemmas, offering an earnest exploration of maternal sacrifice. Reviewers commend its thematic relevance, yet many cite uneven pacing and a propensity to linger in bleak moments, which can diminish engagement. User feedback mirrors this split, noting a powerful premise hampered by occasional dragging and limited depth in secondary arcs. Consequently, the story is perceived as emotionally potent but structurally inconsistent.

  • Sensory Experience 50

    Rosemead’s auditory and visual ambience remains understated, aligning with its somber tone. Critics do not foreground soundtrack or cinematography, and user remarks seldom mention memorable sound design or striking visuals, implying a modest sensory footprint. While the subdued palette complements the film’s emotional gravity, the lack of distinctive sensory cues limits its immersive impact. Overall, the sensory dimension is serviceable yet unremarkable.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    The film’s lingering emotional weight makes it a compelling, though taxing, viewing experience. Critics acknowledge its lasting impression but also describe it as profoundly depressing, suggesting repeat viewings may be limited. User comments echo this sentiment, with several noting the film’s haunting effect alongside an aversion to revisiting its bleak narrative. Accordingly, the rewatch factor is modest, reflecting strong impact but low repeat appeal.

Plot

Rosemead Plot Summary

What happens in Rosemead from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Irene Lucy Liu is a terminally ill widow who lives with her 17-year-old son, Joe Lawrence Shou, in the San Gabriel Valley, California. The film follows their strained day-to-day life as Irene hides the fact that she is battling cancer while caring for a son whose struggle with schizophrenia grows more volatile. Joe is a bright, former star student and swimmer, but his illness casts a heavier shadow as his symptoms flare up. He attends therapy and has started on medication, and the pair navigates the delicate balance of distance and closeness that defines their relationship.

Full summary

The whole story of Rosemead, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Rosemead Box Office

Rosemead grossed $287,988 worldwide.

2025 box office

Worldwide gross

$288K

US & Canada
$288K
Videos

Rosemead Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 featurette.

Official Trailer
  • Featurette How a LA Times Article Became ‘Rosemead’!
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Rosemead?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Which actress portrays Irene, the terminally ill mother in the film?

Details

Rosemead Also Known As

4 alternative titles, including “로즈미드” and “柔似蜜”.

Also known as
  • 로즈미드
  • 柔似蜜
  • Роузмід
  • A Mãe Obsessiva

Seen Rosemead?

FAQ

Rosemead FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Rosemead, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Rosemead?

Rosemead runs 1 hour 37 minutes (97 minutes).

When was Rosemead released?

Rosemead was released on December 5, 2025.

Who directed Rosemead?

Rosemead was directed by Eric Lin.

More films by Eric Lin

Who is in the cast of Rosemead?

Rosemead stars Lucy Liu as Irene, Lawrence Shou as Joe and Orion Lee as Charles, among 21 credited actors.

How much did Rosemead make at the box office?

Rosemead grossed $287,988 worldwide.

How is Rosemead rated?

Rosemead has 6.5/10 on IMDb, 87% on Rotten Tomatoes, 72 on Metacritic and 67% on TMDB.

Does Rosemead have a post-credit scene?

No. Rosemead has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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