Rosemead, starring Lucy Liu, will be released in theaters on December 5. PEOPLE has an exclusive trailer that offers a glimpse of Liu as Irene, a mother facing the challenges after her teenage son is diagnosed with schizophrenia.
The film is directed by Eric Lin and adapted by Marilyn Fu, based on a true story originally reported in a 2017 Los Angeles Times article by Frank Shyong. It tells the poignant tale of a Chinese American mother and her son, played by Liu (56) and Lawrence Shou.
Irene, portrayed by Liu, is described as “an ailing woman who takes drastic measures to protect her troubled teenage son, Joe.” The synopsis asks:
“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 detailed a terminally ill mother who faced heartbreaking decisions regarding her son's schizophrenia diagnosis.
In the trailer, a doctor’s voice can be heard saying:
“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 brought Liu multiple film festival awards, highlighting her powerful dramatic performance.
Rosemead reveals a gripping, heartfelt portrayal of a mother’s struggle with her son’s mental illness, showcasing Lucy Liu’s most raw and compelling role yet.