Overview
A gripping tale of courage and survival in the face of hatred and violence.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Extreme
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- harrowing
- urgent
- sorrowful
- historical film night
- social justice programming
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film a harrowing, gripping, and well-made depiction of racial violence, while noting that it takes substantial fictional liberties with the historical record.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film shows racial prejudice spreading through families, local authority, and mob behavior in Rosewood.
Mann is a drifter whose arrival in Rosewood enables him to aid African-American residents escaping the massacre.
Rosewood's African-American families are portrayed as established, loving, and prosperous before the attack.
The Rosewood community is shaped by racial segregation, a sheriff, and escalating white mob violence.
Films like Rosewood, and why
Mississippi Burning
harrowing historical drama confronting systemic racism and racial violence in the American South
The Butler
period drama about white supremacy, community resistance, and the human cost of racial persecution
Selma
fact-based drama depicting racial injustice through intimate characters and escalating communal violence
12 Years a Slave
historical drama centered on Black survival, solidarity, and institutional racism
Movie Details
- Director
- John Singleton
- Release Date
- 1997-02-21
- Runtime
- 142 min
- Rating
- 6.5 / 10 (123)
Cast
- Ving Rhames
- Jon Voight
- Don Cheadle
- Bruce McGill
- Loren Dean
- Elise Neal
- Michael Rooker
- Robert Patrick
- Esther Rolle
- Catherine Kellner
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Howdy Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- 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 Rosewood about?
- A drifter and a principled store owner risk everything to help Black residents flee a racist massacre in segregated Florida.
- What is Rosewood like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Rosewood as measured, its intensity as extreme and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Rosewood violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Rosewood as graphic.
- What did critics think of Rosewood?
- Critics broadly found the film a harrowing, gripping, and well-made depiction of racial violence, while noting that it takes substantial fictional liberties with the historical record.
- Which films are like Rosewood?
- Films with a similar feel include Mississippi Burning, The Butler, Selma, and 12 Years a Slave.
- How long is Rosewood?
- Rosewood runs 142 minutes.
- Where can I watch Rosewood?
- In United States, Rosewood streams on Howdy Amazon Channel.
