Rosebush Pruning

Rosebush Pruning is a 2026 satirical tragicomedy thriller film directed by Karim Aïnouz, written by Efthimis Filippou and loosely based on the 1965 film 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. It was released theatrically by Mubi in Germany on 23 April, followed by the United Kingdom on 10 July.

Premise

A satirical black comedy centreing on an affluent but perverse family, Rosebush Pruning opens on a Spanish beach, where Edward is lecturing his new-found friend, George, on the tenets of fashion. From here, Edward introduces the audience to his family, which has recently moved from New York City to Catalonia, where its matriarch, Mother, was ripped apart by wolves; the household now comprises Father and his children Anna, Robert, Jack, and Edward. When Jack brings home a girlfriend, tensions rise in the family, all of whom are incestuously involved with Jack.

Cast

• Callum Turner as Ed^[2]
• Riley Keough as Anna
• Elle Fanning as Martha, Jack's girlfriend
• Jamie Bell as Jack, the eldest son
• Tracy Letts as the Father
• Pamela Anderson as the Mother
• Elena Anaya as Emma
• Lukas Gage as Robert

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.^[3]

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.^[4]

Kristen Stewart, Josh O'Connor and Elle Fanning joined the cast of Rosebushpruning in May 2023.^[5] 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.^[6][7]

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

Filming

Principal photography began in Spain on 26 September 2024 and wrapped 9 November, lasting approximately 35 days.^[8] Shooting locations included Castellterçol, Catalonia, and Barcelona.^[9][10][11]

Release

It had its world premiere at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival on 14 February 2026.^[12] It is scheduled to be released in Germany by Mubi on 23 April.^[13] Mubi will also handle distribution in Italy, North America, UK & Ireland.

Reception

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".^[14][15]

References

1. ^ "Rosebush Pruning (18)". British Board of Film Classification. 28 April 2026. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
2. ^ "Rosebush Pruning | Berlinale". www.berlinale.de. Retrieved 2026-02-06.
3. ^ Goodfellow, Melanie (May 20, 2024). "The Apartment Boards Karim Aïnouz's 'Rosebushpruning' Starring Kristen Stewart, Josh O'Connor & Elle Fanning". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
4. ^ Economou, Vassilis (22 January 2026). "Rosebush Pruning prepares to lock horns at the Berlinale". Cineuropa. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
5. ^ 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 21 May 2024.
6. ^ Goodfellow, Melanie (26 September 2024). "Callum Turner & Riley Keough Replace Kristen Stewart & Josh O'Connor On Karim Aïnouz's 'Rosebush Pruning'". Retrieved 26 September 2024.
7. ^ Ritman, Alex (Sep 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 26 September 2024.
8. ^ Calnan, Ellie (26 September 2024). "Callum Turner, Riley Keough to lead Karim Aїnouz's 'Rosebush Pruning'". Screen Daily. Archived 1 October 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
9. ^ Oteo, Jana (October 8, 2024). "La nueva película de Pamela Anderson tendrá de escenario Cataluña" (in Spanish). La Razón. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
10. ^ Long, Emily (February 14, 2025). "Pamela Anderson's Next Two Movies After The Last Showgirl Are Wildly Different". Screen Rant. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
11. ^ Balaga, Marta (2024-10-05). "Pamela Anderson Teases 'The Naked Gun,' 'Rosebush Pruning,' Talks 'The Last Showgirl' Co-Star Jamie Lee Curtis". Variety. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
12. ^ 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.
13. ^ "Rosebush Pruning". yorck.de. Retrieved March 26, 2026.
14. ^ Opie, David (2026-02-15). "'Rosebush Pruning' Review: This Ravishing Yet Perverse Family Affair Doesn't Know What It Wants to Be". IndieWire. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
15. ^ Rooney, David (2026-02-14). "'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 2026-03-11.