The title complex, [RhBr(C8H12)(C24H19F5N2)], has a distorted pseudo-square-planar geometry. The Rh-C bond distance between the N-heterocyclic ligand and the metal atom is 2.022 (3) angstroms. The angle between the carbene heterocycle and the coordination plane is 75.60 (11) degrees. It is shown that the average Rh-C(cyclooctadiene) distance is linearly dependent on the Rh-C(imidazole) distance in this type of compound. The crystal structure contains one intramolecular and two intermolecular types of C-H...F interactions, as well as one type of pi-pi stacking interaction.