The Poison Rose

An unlucky private investigator is hired by a former lover to look into a murder case. What starts as a routine inquiry slowly reveals a tangled network of crimes, lies, and people with motives. The PI follows a trail through smoky rooms, glossy nights, and uneasy alliances, where evidence is scarce and every lead seems to circle back to someone connected to the case. As the investigation deepens, danger escalates and the truth proves slippery. With a hardboiled tone, the story builds atmosphere and suggests that past choices keep catching up with the present. The film keeps tension high while avoiding easy answers. Along the way, the cast of suspects grows, each with a motive and an alibi.

Directed by George Gallo, The Poison Rose lands as a moody crime thriller led by John Travolta and Morgan Freeman. It’s based on an original screenplay by Richard Salvatore, Luca Giliberto and Francesco Cinquemani, released in 2019.

Reviewers split on the film, citing a familiar crime mood and uneven pacing. Yet Travolta and Freeman anchor the proceedings, with supporting players adding texture, and the story tackling corruption, desire, and the cost of keeping secrets. Its uneven pacing still keeps audiences guessing about who deserves trust and why.

The Poison Rose did not accumulate major award nominations, and it did not win notable prizes. In the absence of accolades, the film acts as a straightforward crime thriller headlined by big names, offering a compact nighttime drama rather than an awards push. No festival wins are noted or nominations.

Outside its limited release footprint, The Poison Rose has had little lasting cultural impact. It rarely shows up in lists or quotes, and its most lasting memory may be the marquee talent on screen rather than a signature moment or line. The cast remains the talking point among genre fans.