Lucy Liu Wows in Emotional 'Rosemead' Trailer: 'Audiences Have Never Seen Her in a Role Like This' (Exclusive)

Lucy Liu Shines in Emotional "Rosemead" Trailer

"Rosemead," starring Lucy Liu, will hit theaters on December 5. PEOPLE unveiled an exclusive trailer featuring Liu as Irene — a mother grappling with her teenage son’s schizophrenia diagnosis.

The film is directed by Eric Lin and written by Marilyn Fu, adapted from a 2017 Los Angeles Times article by Frank Shyong. The piece recounts the real-life story of a Chinese American mother facing devastating choices as her son’s mental illness deepens.

A Powerful True Story on Screen

Lucy Liu, 56, delivers a gripping performance as Irene, described in the synopsis as “an ailing woman who takes drastic measures to protect her troubled teenage son, Joe.” The movie portrays her escalating desperation as his condition worsens and time runs out.

“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?”

Since its premiere at the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival, the film has earned Liu multiple festival honors for her intense, emotionally charged performance.

Rooted in Reality

The inspiration comes from a Los Angeles Times article that told the story of a terminally ill mother confronting the harsh realities of her son’s mental health struggles.

“This isn’t going to just go away like some cold. He needs to learn to live with it. You both do.”

The trailer captures the film’s haunting tone and Liu’s vulnerability, portraying the quiet anguish of a parent pushed to the edge.

Author’s Summary

Liu’s raw and emotional portrayal in "Rosemead" transforms a real-life tragedy into a deeply human story about love, sacrifice, and the limits of a mother’s strength.

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People.com People.com — 2025-11-07

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