Lucy Liu’s Latest Roles in ‘Rosemead’ and ‘Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair’ Shine at the Specialty Box Office
Lucy Liu’s ‘Rosemead’ Shines at the Box Office
Lucy Liu’s directorial debut, Rosemead, has made a significant impact at the box office, garnering $50,200 from an exclusive theatrical run at AMC Lincoln Square in New York City. This figure marks one of the top per-theater openings of the year. Liu, who also stars in the film, showcased her versatility by appearing in Lionsgate’s Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair over the same weekend, where she reprised her role as the formidable villain O-Ren Ishii. That film landed in sixth place at the domestic box office, earning $3.25 million across 1,198 screens.
Set within the intimate backdrop of a Chinese American household, Rosemead follows an ailing mother grappling with a dire family secret: her teenage son, portrayed by Lawrence Shou, is increasingly driven by violent impulses. The narrative unfolds as her health declines, forcing her to confront the lengths she will go to protect him. The film, which premiered at the Tribeca Festival, has received accolades including Best Narrative Feature at the Bentonville Film Festival and the Prix du Public UBS audience award at the Locarno Film Festival, where Liu was also honored with a Career Achievement Award.
According to Vertical, the film’s distributor, demand for Rosemead remained strong throughout the weekend, highlighted by sold-out showtimes and audience Q&A sessions featuring cast and filmmakers, including discussions moderated by Marcia Gay Harden and Julia Fox. The film is set to expand to AMC Century City in Los Angeles next weekend, with additional Q&A sessions hosted by Geena Davis and Awkwafina. Notable figures such as Demi Moore, Rosie Perez, Lulu Wang, and Barry Jenkins participated in screening events in New York and Los Angeles leading up to the release.
“I’m so moved by the incredible support Rosemead has received from audiences," Liu remarked. "When Mynette Louie, Andrew Corkin, and I set out to make this film, our hope was to spark conversation and maybe even open a few hearts. To feel that connection with everyone this weekend means more than I can express.”
Vertical’s President of Distribution, Steve Bunnell, expressed pride in distributing the film, emphasizing its significance to both the independent film landscape and the community it represents. “We are proud to distribute this courageous and vitally important film exclusively in movie theatres and excited to bring it to Los Angeles next week and across the country in January,” he stated.
Producer Mynette Louie emphasized the importance of theatrical releases for independent films, stating, “Theatrical releasing is critical to the survival of independently financed films. We cannot rely on corporations to help us tell the wide range of our underrepresented stories that appeal universally. Our film started as a community-led effort, and we are thrilled to now welcome audiences of all stripes into that growing community.”
In addition to Rosemead, the weekend saw the release of GKids’ Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution, which debuted with $10.15 million across 1,833 screens. Meanwhile, Sony Pictures Classics’ Merrily We Roll Along, directed by Maria Friedman, opened to $1.24 million on 1,084 screens. Bleecker Street’s British comedy Fackham Hall grossed $302,000, and IFC Films’ 100 Nights of Hero brought in $250,000 from 828 screens.
As independent films continue to carve out their space in theaters, Rosemead stands out as a poignant narrative that resonates deep within its target community and beyond.
