‘It’s Time to Burn Down The House’: Karim Aïnouz on Eviscerating the Super Rich in ‘Rosebush Pruning’

Hollywood Reporter

by Scott Roxborough

February 15, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Karim Aïnouz’s *Rosebush Pruning* is a sharp, satirical exploration of privilege and dysfunction among the super-rich, told through the lens of a wealthy, toxic family living in opulence. The film, inspired by Marco Bellocchio’s *Fists in the Pocket*, reimagines its themes for modern audiences, using dark humor to dissect the unraveling of a dysfunctional clan. Starring an all-star cast including Callum Turner, Jamie Bell, Riley Keough, and Pamela Anderson, the movie follows the family as they grapple with secrets, abuse, and the consequences of their excessive lifestyle. Director Aïnouz, known for his exploration of toxic masculinity in films like *Firebrand* and *Motel Destino*, uses the metaphor of pruning to symbolize the inevitable reckoning for families steeped in wealth and dysfunction. The film’s origins trace back to the pandemic, when Aïnouz sought a contained setting to explore themes of privilege and masculinity. Collaborating with screenwriter Efthimis Filippou, known for *Killer Joe* and *The Lobster*, the duo crafted a satirical tale that takes aim at the extremes of wealth and power. Drawing inspiration from *Teorema* and *Fists in the Pocket*, Aïnouz reimagined the story with a focus on a male-dominated, dysfunctional family, mirroring his earlier work on toxic male characters. The film’s sharp humor and bold critique of patriarchy make it a standout in the genre, offering a fresh perspective on stories about the ultra-rich. Aïnouz sees *Rosebush Pruning* as part of a larger body of work examining flawed male protagonists, blending historical and contemporary influences to

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Originally published on Hollywood Reporter on 2/15/2026