Wolves, wild sex, and fashion chaos—Berlin’s craziest film just dropped.
What happens when wolves, fashion snobs, incest vibes and a blind dad walk into a beach in Spain? You get Rosebush Pruning — and trust me, this is the kind of movie that makes you whisper, “Did I really just watch that?” while also kinda loving every messy second of it.
Premiering in Competition at the Berlin International Film Festival, director Karim Aïnouz swings for the fences — and then sets the fences on fire.
A Eurotrash Fever Dream (And That’s a Compliment)
Co-written with Greek “Weird Wave” king Efthimis Filippou (yes, the guy who helped shape Yorgos Lanthimos’ twisted universe), this plays like a sleazy cousin to Dogtooth after three espresso martinis and zero shame.
It opens on a Spanish beach. Edward (a cocky, chaotic Callum Turner) is schooling a painfully uncool tourist in high fashion. Ten days into their friendship, Edward casually drops that he’d like to see him naked.
And that’s the tame part.
From there? Everything is sexualized, weaponized, and dialed up to 100. Labels like “gay” or “straight” don’t even matter here. This movie lives in its own pansexual circus tent.
Meet the Most Unhinged Family in Europe
Edward’s family moved from New York to Catalonia thanks to their now-deceased mother (yes, played by Pamela Anderson) — who, in case you’re wondering, was apparently torn apart by wolves.
You cannot make this up.
The blind father (the always reliable Tracy Letts) is left with a house full of dangerously bored, hyper-sexual, fashion-obsessed adult children:
- Jack (Jamie Bell)
- Robert (Lukas Gage)
- Anna (Riley Keough)
And here’s the twist: they’re all obsessed with Jack. In ways that will make your jaw hit the floor.
When Jack brings home Martha (a horrified and pitch-perfect Elle Fanning), the Zara-wearing outsider doesn’t stand a chance.
Fashion Is a Blood Sport
This family doesn’t read. They don’t write. They serve looks.
Each outfit change feels like a power move. Baby-blue go-go boots. Dramatic socks. The way Martha’s non-functioning Swatch becomes a scandal? Honestly iconic.
The fashion snobbery here is so petty it becomes high art.
And Riley Keough? She goes full unfiltered chaos mode. It’s camp. It’s dangerous. It’s the kind of performance that reminds you why ensemble films can be electric when everyone understands the assignment.
Is There a Plot? Technically… Sure.
The film takes inspiration from Fists in the Pocket, but don’t expect a neat narrative bow.
This is less about story and more about vibe — and that vibe is “vampiric rich kids imploding in designer boots.”
Jack wants out. His family won’t let him go. Blood (yes, literal blood fascination) becomes a theme. Boundaries dissolve. Morality evaporates.
And yet… it’s weirdly funny.
So… Is It Good?
Here’s my take: this movie is absolutely not for everyone.
If you’re allergic to bad taste, sexual provocation, or families behaving very badly — run. But if you crave cinema that feels dangerous again, that makes you uncomfortable and giddy at the same time, Rosebush Pruning delivers.
It’s bold. It’s trashy in the smartest way. And it’s way more memorable than most “safe” festival fare.
Distributed by Mubi, this 95-minute fever dream proves Aïnouz isn’t here to play nice — especially after last year’s Motel Destino.
Berlin wanted shock value? They got it.
Would you dare sit through this fashion-obsessed family meltdown, or is this way too wild for your movie night? Sound off below.
