The Roses takes us into the crumbling marriage of ‘Theo’ and ‘Ivy Rose’, a long-time British couple living in California. On the surface, their lives look perfect; they have successful careers, a beautiful home, and a picture-perfect family. But underneath all the politeness and charm is a mess of pride, jealousy, and quiet bitterness. As both their personal and professional lives shift, their relationship slowly turns into a war zone. What starts as a witty British comedy turns into a darkly funny and brutally honest look at how love can fall apart. Here’s what critics and fans have to say about the film.
Who’s behind The Roses: Cast, crew and inspiration
The Roses is directed by Jay Roach, known for his films like Meet the Parents and Bombshell. The screenplay is written by Tony McNamara, the writer who is also behind The Favourite and Poor Things. He brings his signature mix of sharp wit and absurdity to this story as well.
The cast is led by Olivia Colman as ‘Ivy Rose’, a once-dedicated wife who transforms into a powerhouse chef, and Benedict Cumberbatch as ‘Theo Rose’, an architect with a crumbling ego. In supporting roles are Kate McKinnon, Andy Samberg, Sunita Mani, and Ncuti Gatwa, who contribute to the film’s biting humour.
The film is inspired by Warren Adler’s 1981 novel, The War of the Roses, which was first adapted into a cult-favourite black comedy in 1989, starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. This new version shifts the tone and context with a British twist while staying true to the spirit of emotional warfare of the original subject material.
What is The Roses about?
At its core, The Roses follows the unravelling marriage of ‘Theo’ and ‘Ivy’, a successful British couple living in California. Their relationship begins to shift when ‘Ivy’s’ career takes off at the same time as ‘Theo’s’ career hits a major setback. A storm, both literal and emotional, sets off a chain of events that turns their home into a battleground.
As the couple deals with jealousy, shifting power dynamics, and unmet expectations, their polite conversations become weaponised. Sharp one-liners, passive-aggressive jabs, and full-blown fights replace their affection. What begins as a classy marital comedy quickly evolves into a brutal, at the same time hilarious clash of egos, and pride. The result is a modern take on divorce, love, and how easily things can spiral when two people refuse to let go of their own inhibitions.
Dialogue and performances in The Roses are commendable
At the heart of The Roses are two performances that feel perfect for this battle of the sexes. Olivia’s ‘Ivy’ evolves from smiling homemaker to ferocious restaurateur, and her rise is mirrored by her razor-sharp comments that she flings with a sweet smile at her husband. Benedict plays ‘Theo’ as charmingly cocky until the storm of humiliation and self-doubt rips his facade to pieces, and reveals a wounded narcissist man.
Tony McNamara’s script reminds the viewers of a verbal fencing match, it is elegant, biting, and endlessly theatrical. ‘Ivy’ and ‘Theo’ don’t just fight; they throw long, carefully worded insults at each other, full of hidden meaning and sarcasm. It’s British politeness turned into a weapon, where even ‘Would you kindly…’ sounds threatening.
At first, the dialogues are exciting and full of wit. However, as the movie progresses, the constant yelling and scheming begins to feel a bit too prolonged, and some of the initial energy starts to fade. Still, in the quieter moments, when the characters stop attacking and start revealing their pain, the writing finds a deeper emotional impact.
The Roses have an impactful supporting cast
While the film mainly focuses on ‘Ivy’ and ‘Theo’, the supporting cast adds fun and chaos to the story. Kate McKinnon is wild and unpredictable as ‘Amy’ and Andy Samberg as her confused husband, brings lightness to the screen that balances the growing tension. Sunita Mani and Ncuti Gatwa represent ‘Ivy’s’ new life in the food world and show how her values are changing. These side characters add depth to the story and show just how messy everything has become.
Visual and tonal highlights in The Roses
Jay doesn’t go flashy or too experimental with his camera tricks; instead, he uses controlled framing to amplify tension. Elegant dinner tables become arenas for arguments for the couple, kitchens turn into stages for psychological warfare. The contrast between sunny exteriors and shadowed interiors notes the decay beneath the pristine and proper lives of ‘Amy’ and ‘Theo’.
Fans’ reaction towards The Roses
Audiences haven’t held back in expressing their opinions about The Roses, and the response has been largely positive. Many have praised the sharp writing, unforgettable performances, and the film’s dark, hilarious take on modern relationships. Fans are especially loving the chemistry between Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch, as well as the clever blend of comedy and chaos.
A user took to X (formerly Twitter), and wrote, “The Roses may be one of the funniest movies of 2025, truly the entire theatre was crying laughing out loud,” while another one said, “The Roses is such a perfect addition to the 2000s rivalry romantic comedy genre”. A third user wrote, “The Roses had me laughing so hard I couldn’t breathe. Biggest Surprise of Year So Far.”
Final Verdict on The Roses
The Roses is witty, and at times, emotionally brutal. Its strong suits are the performances and the verbal jabs. Yet the film’s momentum occasionally lags in its latter half, the clash at times feels stretched too much than needed. Still, those who love darkly funny dissections of love, power, and gender dynamics will find themselves both delighted and disturbed by The Roses.
What are your thoughts about The Roses?
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