The Roses

UK Release Date. 29 August 2025
Certification. 15
Running Time. 1 hour 45 mins
Director. Jay Roach
Cast. Olivia Colman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Allison Janney, Kate McKinnon, Andy Samberg.
Rating. 54%

Review.

Based on the 1981 novel, The War of the Roses by Warren Adler - which was previously adapted for the big screen in 1989 by Danny DeVito (as director), starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner - The Roses is a black comedy about the disintegration of a marriage.

Benedict Cumberbatch is Theo Rose, a visionary, eco-friendly architect whose career collapses alongside his most famous building, and Olivia Colman is Ivy Rose, who overnight becomes a globally acclaimed and adored chef. The film begins with a flashback to introduce the impulsive, passionate and congrous start to the relationship. Ten years later, the couple have migrated to Mendocino, California, where the story unfolds in earnest.

The strength of the film is undoubtedly Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman. Watching these two play off each other is utter bliss. Both understand their characters perfectly, and together, they evoke sympathy and dread simultaneously. For an additional amuse-bouche, Alison Janney appears in a fire-breathing cameo as a ferocious divorce lawyer, complete with her emotional support animal, Bruno.

The dialogue is oh-so very clever and witty in an acerbic, tart fashion. Immense credit must go to the Australian screenwriter, Tony McNamara [of The Favourite, Cruella and Poor Things fame], who serves up joyous vitriol and a riotous contrast between the English and American ways of arguing. The repartee is doted on and fawned over by their American circle of friends - Barry (Andy Samberg), Amy (Kate McKinnon), Rory (Jamie Demetriou) and Sally (Zoë Chao). 

Eventually, sarcasm and sharp remarks replace warmth and affection, creating a battleground of envy and jealousy. Their fractured relationship becomes the stage on which competitiveness and disappointment play out.

The Roses is a pleasing iteration of The War Of The Roses; the original offers darker, intense, chaotic comedy with ever-increasing extreme revenge, while Roach's reboot devotes more screen time to showing viewers why the characters fell in love in the first place. The Roses provides a more nuanced love story that builds to the conflict, making it potentially more relatable. The tragedy is that Theo and Ivy are made for each other, and it is, at times, painful to watch the marriage evolve into a partnership.

Following 2019's Bombshell, it's great to see Jay Roach return to comedy [Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery, Meet The Parents and Dinner For Schmucks]. Roach proves he hasn’t lost his touch, offering up a film that blends intelligent writing, impeccable timing, and two standout performances from the lead actors.