The Roses 2025 Film Debuts With Mixed Critical Reception

The Roses (2025), directed by Jay Roach and starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman, is a contemporary reimagining of the 1989 dark comedy The War of the Roses, shifting focus from bitter animosity to the complexities of marriage amid changing life circumstances. The film explores the evolving relationship of Theo and Ivy Rose, a British couple living in California, as they navigate career upheavals and parenting tensions, with Ivy's culinary ambitions rising while Theo faces professional downfall. Critics praise the sharp, witty repartee between the leads and their chemistry, which injects energy into the film despite some criticism about the crowded narrative and an abrupt third-act turn. The Roses maintains the original's themes of marital collapse but emphasizes moments of regret and affection that contrast with the unrelenting hostility of the 1989 version, reflecting modern relationship dynamics. While the film retains the bitter edge of the source material, it balances it with humor and a nuanced portrayal of love and resentment, though some reviews note a polarizing ending that may feel unearned. Overall, The Roses updates the story for a 2020s audience, blending dark comedy with heartfelt moments to examine the fragility and resilience of marriage.