Rosemead (2025): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 37m (97 min)
- Director
- Eric Lin
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- The Population
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
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.
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.
- Director Eric Lin
-
Lucy Liu as Irene - Lawrence Shou as Joe
-
Orion Lee as Charles -
Susan Pourfar as Dr. Charlot
Also Starring in Rosemead
· 17 more- Madison Hu Jeannie
- James Chen Dr. Hsu
- Grace Shen Jane
- Jennifer Lim Kai-Li
- Dave Shalansky Principal Stephens
- Dana de Celis Maria
- Eleven Lee Helen
- Jason Tottenham Mr. Hernandez
- Eric Leviton Store Manager
- Adam Chanler-Berat Sam
- Anzi DeBenedetto Stan
- Anthony Comis Officer Frumin
- Cat Kaylin Mrs. Wang
- Zack Calderon Cesar
- Atticus Elsass Rob
- Shian Tomlinson Dawn
Show all 21 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Joseph Y. Lee Young Joe
More from Eric Lin
One more film directed by Eric Lin: Music Palace.
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).
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.
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IMDb 6.5 /10
1198 votes
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 87% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 79%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 72 Metascore
User score 6.4
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 67% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.5 /5
5976 ratings
See on Letterboxd
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
Rosemead Box Office
Rosemead grossed $287,988 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$288K
- US & Canada
- $288K
Rosemead Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 featurette.
- Featurette How a LA Times Article Became ‘Rosemead’!
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actress portrays Irene, the terminally ill mother in the film?
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?
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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