Is this movie a remake?

Yes, it is a remake of the 1965 Italian film Fists in the Pocket (I Pugni in Tasca). It updates the setting to a Spanish villa and changes the characters to American siblings.

Why is the score so low?

Critics have generally found the film to be slow, aimless, and lacking the punch of the original. Despite a talented cast, the pacing and cynical tone haven't landed well with audiences.

Are there any positive takeaways for older teens?

Realistically, no. The film is a study in dysfunction and decay. Unless a teen is a hardcore student of cinematography or Karim Aïnouz's filmography, there's very little here to engage with.

Rosebush Pruning – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Rosebush Pruning

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2026

25%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A star-studded cast gets lost in a beautiful but boring Spanish villa in this cynical, slow-burn thriller that critics are currently shredding.

23%

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Rosebush Pruning

movie

18, 2026

25%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A star-studded cast gets lost in a beautiful but boring Spanish villa in this cynical, slow-burn thriller that critics are currently shredding.

23%

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23%

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Screenwise Verdict

Rosebush Pruning is the kind of movie that looks great in a trailer but ends up being a joyless slog. It’s a remake of the 1965 Italian film Fists in the Pocket, but it swaps the original's transgressive energy for a lot of expensive-looking moping.

If you're looking for a family movie night, run the other way. If you're an adult who loves psychological thrillers, you're still better off watching the original or literally anything else with a better critical consensus. It’s a vibe-heavy miss that fails to justify its own existence.

Age Fit

This is strictly for adults. Between the 18+ age rating and the 23% Rotten Tomatoes score, there is zero reason to show this to a kid or teen. It’s dark, slow, and cynical.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

This is a dark, cynical look at family dysfunction involving isolation, resentment, and a plot about uncovering the truth behind a mother's death. It is the opposite of wholesome.

Imaginative

While the direction by Karim Aïnouz has some visual flair, the 'rich people suffering in a villa' trope is well-worn territory that doesn't offer much new ground here.

Safe

Rated 18+ for a reason. Expect heavy psychological tension, mature themes regarding death and inheritance, and likely some transgressive content inherited from its 1965 source material.

Enriching

Critics have largely panned this as a hollow remake. There's little empathy or insight to be gained from watching these characters wallow for two hours.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Beautiful cinematography captures the isolation of the Spanish villa in a way that feels lush and oppressive at the same time.
Strong lead performances from a high-profile cast try their best to inject life into a script that mostly asks them to look miserable.
Psychological mystery fans might appreciate the slow drip of information regarding the mother's death, even if the payoff is divisive.

⚠

What to Watch For

Bleak tone permeates the entire film; there are zero 'likable' characters here, which makes the two-hour runtime feel much longer.
Mature family conflict includes themes of fratricide and deep-seated resentment that are definitely not for younger viewers.
Slow-burn pacing that many viewers find aimless. It's more of a character study in decay than a traditional thriller.

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think the siblings feel so trapped despite having so much money?"
"How does the setting of a beautiful, isolated villa change the way the family interacts compared to a normal home?"
"Does knowing a secret about the past make you feel more powerful or more burdened?"

Deep Dive

The 'Rich People Problems' Trap

We’ve seen a lot of 'eat the rich' cinema lately, but Rosebush Pruning misses the mark by forgetting to be either a sharp satire or a compelling thriller. Director Karim Aïnouz clearly has an eye for the aesthetic, but the story—about four siblings wallowing in their inheritance while uncovering dark family secrets—feels stagnant.

A Remake Without a Point

The film is a reimagining of Marco Bellocchio’s Fists in the Pocket, a movie famous for its shocking, rebellious spirit. This 2026 version moves the action to a Spanish villa and fills the roles with A-list American actors, but it loses the teeth of the original. Instead of a sharp critique of the bourgeoisie or a genuine psychological shocker, we get a slow-motion car crash of a family that you never actually care about.

Why the Low Scores?

The 23% on Rotten Tomatoes isn't just about the dark content; it's about the execution. The film suffers from a terminal lack of momentum. While Josh O'Connor and Kristen Stewart do their best with the material, they are trapped in a script that confuses 'silence' with 'depth.' For parents, the take is simple: this isn't for your kids, and it’s probably not for your Friday night either.

What Parents Ask

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