%20Movie%20Review%20%E2%80%93%20Olivia%20Colman%20&%20Benedict%20Cumberbatch%20Shine%20in%20a%20Modern%20Marriage%20Drama.png "The Roses (2025) Movie Review – Olivia Colman & Benedict Cumberbatch Shine in a Modern Marriage Drama")
Tagline: “This marriage isn’t big enough for the both of them.”
Jay Roach’s The Roses (2025) reimagines the story once told in The War of the Roses (1989), but this version is far from a simple remake. With a sharp script by Tony McNamara (The Favourite, Poor Things) and outstanding performances from Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch, the film dissects the complexity of marriage with equal parts wit, venom, and tenderness.
Story Overview
Ivy and Theo Rose appear to have everything: love, successful careers, and a comfortable family life. But when Theo’s career takes a sudden fall while Ivy’s ambitions push her upward, the balance of power in their marriage collapses. What begins as subtle resentment soon spirals into emotional warfare, turning their home into a battlefield where pride, ambition, and survival collide.
How It Differs from the 1989 Film
Fans of the original may recall Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner’s explosive performances under Danny DeVito’s darkly comedic direction. The Roses is not just a remake, but a fresh adaptation of Warren Adler’s novel, leaning closer to the book’s darker and more emotional tone.
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1989 version: chaotic, slapstick, and satirical destruction.
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2025 version: emotionally grounded, tragic, and brutally realistic.
Roach trades absurd comedy for a scalpel-sharp exploration of intimacy eroded by ego and ambition.
Script & Direction
McNamara’s screenplay is the backbone of the film. The dialogue is intelligent, darkly funny, and painfully relatable. Roach’s direction embraces realism, reframing issues like:
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Gender roles in modern marriage
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The pressures of professional identity
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The illusion of the “perfect couple”
The Roses’ dream home itself becomes a metaphor—beautiful on the outside but rotting within—mirroring the collapse of their relationship.
Performances
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Olivia Colman (Ivy): Brilliantly shifts between icy composure and raw vulnerability.
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Benedict Cumberbatch (Theo): Delivers a slow, tragic unraveling that feels both combustible and heartbreaking.
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Together: Their chemistry is electric—volatile yet deeply human. Unlike the original, their marriage still flickers with traces of affection, making the unraveling more tragic and believable.
Supporting performances add both tension and humor:
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Andy Samberg & Kate McKinnon as quirky friends bring comedic relief.
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Allison Janney steals the show in a single, unforgettable scene as Ivy’s divorce attorney—sharp, intimidating, and unforgettable.
Final Verdict
The Roses is not just a remake—it’s a reinvention. Where the original reveled in chaos, this version cuts deeper, exploring the quiet violence of ego and ambition that eats away at even the strongest bonds.
It’s:
✅ A comedy that hurts
✅ A drama that bites
✅ A remake that earns its place
Anchored by razor-sharp writing and powerhouse performances, The Roses is a film that lingers long after the credits. Whether you want satire, heartbreak, or top-tier acting, this one is worth your time.
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