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Roses, Kisses and Death

Name: Roses, Kisses and Death
Director: Daniel di Grado
Released: 2013
Duration: 90 min

Representation Score

4.5/10

Fair

2013

Director

Daniel di Grado

Runtime

90 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Roses, Kisses and Death functions as a psychological deconstruction of the traditional Swedish estate lifestyle. It replaces the veneer of domestic stability with themes of sexual frustration and interpersonal betrayal. The film's strength lies in its ability to challenge the sanctity of the family unit through a postmodern lens. However, the work lacks demographic breadth, focusing on a localized, homogeneous demographic, which limits its impact. While it critiques social structures, it does so within a very narrow casting framework. Ultimately, the film is a character-driven mystery that prioritizes the erosion of the domestic ideal over diverse representation.

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Category Breakdown

Does Roses, Kisses and Death have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The story focuses on heterosexual relationships and the dissatisfaction in conventional marriages. There are no representations of LGBTQ+ identities or stories involving same-sex relationships.

How does Roses, Kisses and Death portray gender?

Good

The film challenges traditional gender roles by highlighting the instability of male characters. Gabriella plays a central role, providing a level of ability to act that disrupts passive female archetypes.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Roses, Kisses and Death?

Limited

The cast appears homogeneous, reflecting the specific Swedish country estate setting. There is no indication of significant racial blending or intentional use of actors from different racial backgrounds.

How does Roses, Kisses and Death represent religion and culture?

Good

The narrative deconstructs the idealized Western family and the sanctity of the domestic estate. It presents the rose-scented idyll as a mask for corruption and systemic dysfunction.

Does Roses, Kisses and Death include disability representation?

Minimal

While the plot involves mortality and poisoning, there is no portrayal of neurodivergent or visibly disabled individuals as central character traits.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional patriarchal leadership by highlighting male instability and culpability.
Provides female characters with ability to act and complexity through central roles in the intrigue.
Effectively critiques the idealized Western family and domestic social structures.

Limited or Absent

Lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or same-sex narratives.
Features a homogeneous cast that lacks racial and ethnic diversity.
Provides no evidence of neurodivergent or disabled character perspectives.

Official Synopsis

The country estate of Rödbergshyttan is surrounded by heavily fragrant roses in every color. There lives the beautiful Gabriella, who Christer loves, and an invitation to their engagement party is the reason for Puck and Einar to travel there. But the rose-scented idyll soon turn into a stifling background when Puck finds Gabriella's grandfather poisoned in his bed. Little by little we learn that the relations between the people living at the estate is everything but uncomplicated, and that there is a sexual frustration behind every well polished marriage. The question is to what extent beautiful Gabriella is involved in the intrigues and how much of a coincidence it is that her grandfather is killed just when Christer is in the house.

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