Common Sense Media Review
By Stefan Pape
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
IRA biopic thriller has complex female lead, violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
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Rose's War
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
ROSE'S WAR is the story of Rose Dugdale (Imogen Poots); a daughter born into aristocracy, who rejected her wealth and turned her back on a life of privilege. Instead she volunteered for the IRA, where she masterminded a notorious art heist.
Is It Any Good?
This is a fascinating, politically-charged thriller that takes the viewer behind the curtain of one of the most notorious art heists in history. Rose's War (also known as Baltimore) balances a tricky tonality. Married filmmaking duo Joe Lawlor and Christine Molloy present their characters with flaws but without judgment, trusting the audience to come to their own conclusions about where they fall on the moral compass. Poots turns in one of the best performances of her career to date, as she straddles the line of criminal and freedom fighter, providing nuance to a complex character. Despite the intensity of the plot -- Dugdale and her gang are desperately trying not to be caught by the police -- the film has a stillness that allows it characters to fill the screen with their own internal conflicts and traits. Rather than diminish the tension from a story involving heists, hostages, and politics, this understated and intimate approach only enriches the story.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the period of history depicted in Rose's War. What do you know about "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland? What did this film teach you? How to talk to kids about violence, crime, and war.
Discuss the violence in the film. Did the violent scenes help tell the story in an effective way? Was it shocking or thrilling? Why? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
Talk about the character of Rose Dugdale. How would you describer her? What do you think were here motivations?
Movie Details
- In theaters : January 3, 2024
- On DVD or streaming : January 3, 2024
- Cast : Imogen Poots , Tom Vaughn-Lawlor , Dermot Crowley
- Directors : Joe Lawlor , Christine Molloy
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Bankside Films
- Genre : Thriller
- Topics : Activism , History
- Run time : 98 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : February 27, 2026
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