New Film The Roses Releases Starring Colman, Cumberbatch

The 2025 film "The Roses," starring Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch, is a sharp and modern adaptation of Warren Adler's 1981 novel, updating the 1989 film "The War of the Roses" with a contemporary tragicomic tone. The story follows the marriage of Ivy and Theo Rose, whose relationship deteriorates as Ivy's restaurant career flourishes while Theo's architectural ambitions fail, leading to escalating resentment and bitter conflicts. Colman and Cumberbatch deliver electric performances, blending humor and heartbreak, although some critics note the film's polished aesthetic lacks the raw edge that might have better served its corrosive narrative. The film explores themes of love, ambition, family dynamics, and the challenge of balancing personal aspirations with marital obligations, flipping the romantic comedy formula on its head. Despite some criticism of its nuance and visual choices, "The Roses" offers a biting and relatable portrayal of modern relationships, career struggles, and the shifting power dynamics within a marriage. Supporting characters add levity, but the central focus remains on the charged, often brutal interplay between the couple as their love turns to animosity.