Rosebush Pruning

For the horticultural practice, see Pruning.

Rosebush Pruning
Promotional international poster
Directed byKarim Aïnouz
Screenplay byEfthimis Filippou
Based onFists in the Pocket
by Marco Bellocchio
Produced by
  • Michael Weber
  • Viola Fügen
  • Simone Gattoni
  • Annamaria Morelli
  • Andreas Wentz
  • Vladimir Zemtsov
Starring
CinematographyHélène Louvart
Edited by
  • Heike Parplies
  • David Jancso
  • Ilka Janka Nagy
Music byMatthew Herbert
Production
companies
Distributed by
  • Mubi (United Kingdom)
  • Vision Distribution (Italy)
Release date
Running time
97 minutes
Countries
  • United Kingdom
  • Italy
  • Germany
  • Spain
LanguageEnglish

Rosebush Pruning is a 2026 satirical tragicomedy thriller film directed by Karim Aïnouz, written by Efthimis Filippou and loosely based on 1965's Fists in the Pocket by Marco Bellocchio. It stars Callum Turner, Riley Keough, Elle Fanning, Jamie Bell, Tracy Letts and Pamela Anderson.

The film had its world premiere at the main competition of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival on 14 February 2026, where it was nominated for the Golden Bear.

Plot

A satirical black comedy centreing on an affluent but perverse family, Rosebush Pruning opens on a Spanish beach, where Edward (Callum Turner) is lecturing his new-found friend, George, on the tenets of fashion. From here, Edward introduces the audience to his family, who has made a recent move from New York to Catalonia after the sudden death of its matriarch. Mother (Pamela Anderson) was ripped apart by wolves. Now the household comprises Father (Tracey Letts), Anna (Riley Keough), Robert (Lukas Gage), Jack (Jamie Bell), and Edward. When Jack brings home a girlfriend (Elle Fanning), tensions rise in the family, all of whom are incestuously involved with Jack.

Cast

Production

Development

The film is produced by The Apartment Pictures in partnership with Match Factory Productions, Mubi, Kavac Film and Rai Cinema, and is directed by Karim Aïnouz. It is written by Efthimis Filippou and inspired by Marco Bellocchio’s debut feature Fists in the Pocket[2]

Viola Fügen and Michael Weber produced for The Match Factory, also handling worldwide sales. Simone Gattoni produced for Kavac Film, alongside Annamaria Morelli for The Apartment and Vladimir Zemtsov for Gold Rush Pictures. Spanish co-producers included Andreas Wentz and Juan Cano “Nono” for SUR FILM, while Rachel Dargavel served as co-producer for the UK’s Crybaby. The executive producers were Lota Dascioraite, Mitch Oliver, Catherine Boily, Kateryna Merkt, Matthew E Chausse, Pietro Caracciolo, Lorenza Veronica, Alessandro Del Vigna, Guilherme Cezar Coelho, Fernando Loureiro, Gabriel Amaral, and Morwin Schmookler. [3]

Kristen Stewart, Josh O'Connor and Elle Fanning joined the cast of Rosebushpruning in May 2023.[4] In September 2024, it was announced Riley Keough and Callum Turner had replaced Stewart and O'Connor due to scheduling conflicts. Also joining the cast at this time were Jamie Bell, Lukas Gage, Tracy Letts, Elena Anaya and Pamela Anderson with the title format changing to Rosebush Pruning.[5][6]

It's Aïnouz second English language feature film following Firebrand (2023).

Filming

Principal photography began in Spain on September 26 and wrapped November 9, lasting around 35 days.[7] Shooting locations included Castellterçol, Catalonia, and Barcelona.[8][9][10]

Release

It had its world premiere at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival on 14 February 2026.[11]

Reception

Critics largely gave a lukewarm response, Indiewire's David Opie describing it as "wearying and amusing in equal measure", and The Hollywood Reporter's David Rooney summarising it as "shallowness with style in mixed-bag satire". [12][13]

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 30% of 20 critics' reviews are positive.[14]

Metacritic, another ratings-based aggregate website, gives the film 46%. [15]

References

  1. ^ "Rosebush Pruning | Berlinale". www.berlinale.de. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
  2. ^ Goodfellow, Melanie (May 20, 2024). "The Apartment Boards Karim Aïnouz's 'Rosebushpruning' Starring Kristen Stewart, Josh O'Connor & Elle Fanning". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  3. ^ Economou, Vassilis (January 22, 2026). "Rosebush Pruning prepares to lock horns at the Berlinale". Cineuropa. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
  4. ^ Goldbart, Max (May 24, 2023). "Kristen Stewart, Josh O'Connor & Elle Fanning To Star In 'Rosebushpruning' For Karim Aïnouz, Mubi & The Match Factory — Cannes". Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  5. ^ Goodfellow, Melanie (September 26, 2024). "Callum Turner & Riley Keough Replace Kristen Stewart & Josh O'Connor On Karim Aïnouz's 'Rosebush Pruning'". Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  6. ^ Ritman, Alex (September 26, 2024). "Riley Keough, Callum Turner, Pamela Anderson, Jamie Bell and Lukas Gage Among Stars Joining Elle Fanning in Karim Aïnouz's 'Rosebush Pruning'". Variety. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  7. ^ Calnan, Ellie (September 26, 2024). "Callum Turner, Riley Keough to lead Karim Aїnouz's 'Rosebush Pruning'". Screen Daily. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  8. ^ Oteo, Jana (October 8, 2024). "La nueva película de Pamela Anderson tendrá de escenario Cataluña". La Razón (in Spanish). Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  9. ^ Long, Emily (February 14, 2025). "Pamela Anderson's Next Two Movies After The Last Showgirl Are Wildly Different". Screen Rant. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
  10. ^ Balaga, Marta (October 5, 2024). "Pamela Anderson Teases 'The Naked Gun,' 'Rosebush Pruning,' Talks 'The Last Showgirl' Co-Star Jamie Lee Curtis". Variety. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
  11. ^ Keslassy, Elsa; Shafer, Ellise (January 20, 2026). "Berlin Film Festival Full Lineup: 'Rosebush Pruning' Starring Riley Keough and Callum Turner, Channing Tatum's 'Josephine' and More". Variety. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
  12. ^ Opie, David (February 15, 2026). "'Rosebush Pruning' Review: This Ravishing Yet Perverse Family Affair Doesn't Know What It Wants to Be". IndieWire. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
  13. ^ Rooney, David (February 14, 2026). "'Rosebush Pruning' Review: Callum Turner, Riley Keough, Jamie Bell and Elle Fanning Serve up Shallowness With Style in Mixed-Bag Satire". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
  14. ^ "Rosebush Pruning". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
  15. ^ "Rosebush Pruning Reviews - Metacritic". www.metacritic.com. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
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