Rosemead, starring Lucy Liu, arrives in theaters on December 5. PEOPLE offers an exclusive trailer showcasing Liu as Irene, a mother facing challenges after her teenage son is diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Directed by Eric Lin and adapted by Marilyn Fu from a 2017 Los Angeles Times article, the film tells the true story of a Chinese American mother and her son. Liu, 56, portrays Irene, an ailing woman compelled to take desperate actions to protect her troubled son, Joe, played by Lawrence Shou.
"As his dark obsessions grow and time runs out, she is forced to make impossible choices: how far will she go and what is she willing to sacrifice?"
The original article by Frank Shyong details a terminally ill mother’s heartbreaking decision while coping with her son's schizophrenia diagnosis. The story highlights the complexities and emotional weight of mental illness within a family context.
The trailer features a doctor’s voice explaining the seriousness of the condition:
"This isn't going to just go away like some cold. He needs to learn to live with it. You both do."
Since its premiere at the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival, Rosemead has garnered multiple film festival awards, emphasizing the film’s powerful narrative and Lucy Liu's compelling performance.
Author’s summary: Lucy Liu delivers an intense and heartfelt portrayal in Rosemead, a film that sensitively explores a mother's struggle with her son's schizophrenia diagnosis through a true, emotional story.
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