Rosewater
A journalist’s 118-day imprisonment in Iran becomes a tense, intimate study of political paranoia, coercion, and the stubborn preservation of identity.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Brutal
- tense
- somber
- earnest
- serious movie night
- political drama viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film timely and earnest, with solid acting and an impressive debut by Jon Stewart despite its straightforward approach.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Maziar Bahari is detained because authorities reinterpret his journalistic work and television appearance as evidence of espionage.
The captor's distinctive rosewater scent becomes the defining clue to Rosewater's presence while Maziar is blindfolded.
Maziar's recollections of his family and conversations with his deceased father help preserve his identity during detention.
The story centers on 118 days of blindfolded confinement, questioning, intimidation, and mental resistance in Evin prison.
Films like Rosewater, and why
The Mauritanian
shared political imprisonment, journalistic perspective, and tense human-rights drama
The Report
shared true-story political drama, state repression, and imprisoned protagonist
A Private War
shared journalist-centered political thriller elements and grounded contemporary drama
In the Name of the Father
shared prison ordeal, authoritarian violence, and emotionally restrained survival narrative
Movie Details
- Director
- Jon Stewart
- Release Date
- 2014-11-07
- Runtime
- 103 min
- Rating
- 6.4 / 10 (195)
Cast
- Gael García Bernal
- Shohreh Aghdashloo
- Kim Bodnia
- Claire Foy
- Haluk Bilginer
- Golshifteh Farahani
- Nasser Faris
- Dimitri Leonidas
- Amir El-Masry
- Arian Moayed
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Rosewater about?
- A journalist’s 118-day imprisonment in Iran becomes a tense, intimate study of political paranoia, coercion, and the stubborn preservation of identity.
- What is Rosewater like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Rosewater as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Rosewater violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Rosewater as brutal.
- What did critics think of Rosewater?
- Critics broadly found the film timely and earnest, with solid acting and an impressive debut by Jon Stewart despite its straightforward approach.
- Which films are like Rosewater?
- Films with a similar feel include The Mauritanian, The Report, A Private War, and In the Name of the Father.
- How long is Rosewater?
- Rosewater runs 103 minutes.
- Where can I watch Rosewater?
- In United States, Rosewater streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
