--- title: "The Roses" year: 2025 kind: "film" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-roses" fi1m_id: "the-roses" imdb_id: "tt31973693" tmdb_id: 1267905 wikidata_id: "Q126810973" fi1m_score: 61 critics_score: 63 critics_reviews: 23 published: "2026-09-30T20:42:37.576922+00:00" updated: "2026-09-30T20:42:38.292055+00:00" region: "US" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Roses (2025) Directed by Jay Roach · 1h 45m · MPA R · Comedy, Drama, Romance ## Identity The Roses - **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/the-roses - **Type:** Film - **Fi1m ID:** the-roses - **IMDb ID:** tt31973693 - **TMDB ID:** 1267905 - **Wikidata ID:** Q126810973 - **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31973693/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/1267905, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q126810973 **Fi1m score: 61** · Critics 63 from 23 reviews *In a sentence:* Two lovely people trade exquisite insults for ninety minutes, then remember the film was meant to be cruel > Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch are so good at being unkind to each other that we forgave this remake a great deal. Not everything: Jay Roach’s film is sunny, well upholstered and unwilling to draw blood until it is too late to matter. ## Synopsis Ivy Rose (Olivia Colman) and Theo Rose (Benedict Cumberbatch) are married, with two children, Hattie (Delaney Quinn) and Roy (Ollie Robinson), and with Barry (Andy Samberg) and Amy (Kate McKinnon) never far from the table. For a while it is a happy marriage. Then, as the years pass, it turns into a contest over which of them the household is really for, and things they used to say only to themselves start being said at dinner parties, in front of guests. Tony McNamara’s screenplay comes from Warren Adler’s novel about a divorce that becomes a fight over the house, and the film follows the Roses from the early days to open hostilities, with the tagline’s promise that this marriage is not big enough for the both of them. ## Review Jay Roach and the screenwriter Tony McNamara have gone back to Warren Adler’s novel, filmed by Danny DeVito in 1989 as *The War of the Roses*, and made a different bet on it. DeVito’s film hated its couple and let us enjoy hating them. Roach’s likes them, and hopes that if we like them too the eventual wreck will hurt more. It is a reasonable idea. It does not work, and the reason it does not work is the same reason the film is a pleasant evening for most of its 105 minutes. The pleasure is the two of them. Cumberbatch plays Theo as a man who cannot hear a sentence without correcting it, all tight smiles and clenched helpfulness, and he is funniest when Theo is trying hardest to be reasonable. Colman gives Ivy a warmth that never quite switches off even when she is saying something unforgivable, and she says a great many unforgivable things, usually while pouring someone a drink. McNamara, who wrote [*The Favourite*](https://film.one/film/the-favourite) and [*Poor Things*](https://film.one/film/poor-things), hands them short, barbed lines and they hit each one back over the net. We laughed a lot, and the dinner party in the middle, where the Roses stop performing for their guests and start performing for each other, is as sharp a stretch of marital comedy as we have seen in some time. It all looks expensive and it all looks safe. Florian Hoffmeister shoots the coast in soft, even light, blue sea and pale wood and no shadows anywhere, so that the film resembles the brochure for the life the Roses think they are living. That is the joke, and it lands once. It does not survive being the whole picture, because a film about a marriage coming apart needs at least one room that looks as though something could break in it. Mark Ricker’s house is a handsome box of glass and timber. PC Williams moves Ivy from chef’s whites into cashmere as her star rises and lets Theo shrink into cardigans, which tells the story more economically than several of the scenes do. Theodore Shapiro’s score is bright and brisk and never once suggests trouble. Around the edges the casting is generous and the writing is not. Andy Samberg and Kate McKinnon, as the friends whose own marriage is a running skirmish, are there to show the Roses what they might become; Samberg underplays it nicely, McKinnon does not, and her scenes are pitched at a volume the rest of the film is not using. Ncuti Gatwa, Sunita Mani, Zoë Chao and Jamie Demetriou are all good actors given one trait each and told to wait. Allison Janney arrives late and is funnier in her few minutes than most of the second act. Jon Poll cuts the years in quick montage, which keeps things moving and also means we skip past the exact moments where the love drains out, so that when the film tells us it has gone we have to take its word. The second half takes a turn we will not describe. What we can say is that it arrives fast, and that the film has spent an hour making sure we know these two still fancy each other. So when it asks us to be appalled, we were not. We were slightly puzzled, then a little bored, and that is a bad way to feel during what is meant to be the payoff. The nastiness is real enough on screen; it is simply not connected to anything we have been shown. DeVito’s film was ugly on purpose and knew what it hated. This one is pretty on purpose and is not sure. McNamara’s own *The Favourite* let its women be monstrous without asking us to forgive them, and this script keeps apologising for its couple even as it hands them the knives. See it for Colman and Cumberbatch, who deserve a meaner film and make this one worth an evening anyway. It suits the sofa better than the cinema; the arguments land softer at home, and you can pause to have your own. It runs 105 minutes and carries a 15. *Fi1m score 61, published 30 September 2026.* ## Straight answers **Is The Roses worth watching?** *The Roses* is worth an evening for Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch, who are so good at being unkind to each other that we scored it 61 despite its faults. Jay Roach's remake is sunny and well upholstered and does not draw blood until too late to matter. It suits the sofa better than the cinema. **How long is The Roses, and what is it rated?** *The Roses* runs 1h 45m and is rated R by the MPA in the US. It is a comedy and drama film. **Where can I watch The Roses in the US?** *The Roses* is streaming on Hulu and Disney+ in the US, and it is also available to rent from Amazon Prime Video from $3.99. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service. **How violent or frightening is The Roses, and is it suitable for children?** *The Roses* carries a UK 15 and a US R, and it is a marital comedy rather than a frightening film: the damage is mostly done with insults, many of them unforgivable, traded at dinner parties. The second half turns nastier in ways we will not describe. It is not for children, and teenagers may find the cruelty more talked about than felt. **How does The Roses compare to Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf??** *The Roses* is the gentler and the lesser of the two: Mike Nichols's [*Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?*](https://film.one/film/whos-afraid-of-virginia-woolf) spends one long night watching a marriage take lumps out of itself, exhausting on purpose and brilliantly acted, while Jay Roach's film stays pretty and pleasant for an hour before turning cruel. Choose the earlier film if you want the fight to hurt, this one if you want to laugh first. **Is The Roses based on a true story or a book?** *The Roses* is based on a book, not a true story: Warren Adler's novel about a divorce that becomes a fight over the house, previously filmed by Danny DeVito in 1989 as *The War of the Roses*. Tony McNamara's screenplay makes a different bet, liking its couple where DeVito's film hated them. You do not need to know the novel or the earlier film to follow it. **What should I watch after The Roses?** After *The Roses*, try [*Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?*](https://film.one/film/whos-afraid-of-virginia-woolf) (1966, Fi1m 86): One long night of a marriage taking lumps out of itself, brilliantly acted. Then [*Force Majeure*](https://film.one/film/force-majeure) (2014, Fi1m 84): A Swedish ski holiday undone by one act of cowardice; funny and merciless; and [*The Favourite*](https://film.one/film/the-favourite) (2018, Fi1m 87): McNamara’s script with the cruelty left in, and Colman at her most fearless. ### Reviews we read (23) - **The AV Club**, Luke Hicks (B+): The critic calls the film an essential, brisk rom-com, praising its sharp humor and energy. The standout is the remarkable chemistry between Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/the-roses-review) - **Los Angeles Times**, Amy Nicholson (78/100, inferred): Nicholson finds the remake a lively, worthwhile comedy that makes a convincing case for adult-oriented movies, despite a rushed ending. She especially praises Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch’s funny, affectionate performances as the warring spouses. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2025-08-28/the-roses-review-olivia-colman-benedict-cumberbatch-andy-samberg-kate-mckinnon) - **The Observer**, Wendy Ide (75/100, inferred): Ide finds the film an enjoyable, sharply written screwball comedy, though it falls short of its predecessor’s destructive energy. She especially praises Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch’s chemistry and Colman’s comic delivery. [Read](https://observer.co.uk/culture/film/article/the-roses-is-an-astringent-sweary-screwball-comedy) - **IndieWire**, Kate Erbland (B-): Erbland finds the reimagining compelling and funny, but says its lighter approach weakens the darker turn. She praises the dinner-party sequence while criticizing the later cruelty as jarring and over-the-top. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/the-roses-review-benedict-cumberbatch-olivia-colman-remake-1235147393/) - **Empire**, Helen O’Hara (68/100, inferred): O’Hara finds the remake often funny and surprisingly willing to mix shocks into its humour, though it is less venomous than the original. She praises the bleak, twisted romance of the finale, while noting that the balance between the spouses sometimes feels uneven. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/the-roses/) - **The Hollywood Reporter**, David Rooney (65/100, inferred): Rooney finds the film tart and entertaining, though its marital-comedy sting is diluted compared with the original. He singles out Cumberbatch and Colman’s combative chemistry and deliciously withering repartee as what keeps it lively. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/the-roses-review-benedict-cumberbatch-olivia-colman-1236351889/) - **RogerEbert.com** (64/100, inferred): The page identifies a review of the 2025 film, but its verdict cannot be verified. No specific praise or criticism is accessible. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-roses-benedict-cumberbatch-olivia-colman-film-review-2025) - **The New York Times** (64/100, inferred): The article appears to be a review, but its verdict cannot be verified from the accessible page. No specific praise or complaint is available because the article text is blocked. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/28/movies/the-roses-review.html) - **Slant Magazine**, Justin Clark (2.5/4): The critic finds the film too shallow and cuddly to justify its violent third act. They praise the palpable chemistry between Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman, especially in the film’s funny, wicked moments. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-roses-review-benedict-cumberbatch-olivia-colman/) - **Evening Standard**, Lisa Wright (3/5): Wright finds the film familiar and increasingly cartoonish, entertaining but ultimately more suited to a comfortable Sunday watch than essential viewing. She praises Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch, whose performances and sharp one-liners carry the film. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/the-roses-review-olivia-colman-benedict-cumberbatch-b1244012.html) - **Little White Lies**, Leila Latif (4/3/4): Latif finds the film an entertaining but imperfect comedy that evokes a longing for starry mid-budget films. She praises Cumberbatch and Colman’s chemistry while faulting the underused supporting cast and weaker jokes. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/the-roses) - **Time Out**, Anna Smith (3/5): Smith calls the film a middling remake of the 1980s anti-romcom. The review frames its central appeal as the renewed marital war between its leads. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-roses-review-2025) - **Radio Times**, Terry Staunton (50/100, inferred): The review finds the film entertaining but ultimately toothless. It faults the leads’ likeability for softening the bitterness and malice the story needs. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/the-roses-review/) - **Variety**, Peter Debruge (40/100, inferred): Debruge finds the film clever and often funny, but ultimately a misfire because the central couple lacks convincing chemistry. He praises Tony McNamara’s sharp, witty script, while faulting the rapid shift into marital conflict. [Read](https://variety.com/2025/film/reviews/the-roses-review-benedict-cumberbatch-olivia-colman-1236497711/) - **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw (35/100, inferred): Bradshaw finds the film watchable but ultimately let down by its glossy romcom style and reluctance to confront the reality of a bad marriage. He singles out Colman and Cumberbatch’s performances as compelling, though the film fails to make their changing feelings believable. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/aug/25/the-roses-review-olivia-colman-and-benedict-cumberbatch-remake) - **Screen Daily**, Tim Grierson (30/100, inferred): The critic finds the adaptation too broad and tonally erratic. The headline highlights the fracturing couple’s clash, but the accessible text gives no further detail about what works or fails. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/the-roses-review-benedict-cumberbatch-and-olivia-colman-clash-as-a-fracturing-married-couple/5207746.article) - **Digital Spy**, Ian Sandwell (90/100, inferred): Sandwell calls the film one of the funniest comedies of the year and an unmissable showcase for its leads. He praises Colman and Cumberbatch’s genuine chemistry, which gives the script’s sharp insults their impact. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a65858683/the-roses-review/) - **/Film**, Ethan Anderton (8.5/10): The critic gives the film an enthusiastic verdict, praising its sharp comedy and emotional bite. They single out Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman for making the unraveling marriage both painfully affecting and hilarious. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/1949270/the-roses-review-benedict-cumberbatch-olivia-colman/) - **Deadline**, Pete Hammond (75/100, inferred): Hammond finds the remake well worth watching, though it takes a long time to reach the couple’s vicious marital showdown. He especially praises the casting and the performances of Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman. [Read](https://deadline.com/2025/08/the-roses-review-benedict-cumberbatch-olivia-colman-remake-1236496435/) - **HeyUGuys**, Linda Marric (75/100, inferred): Marric finds the film a biting, funny and unexpectedly sad tragicomedy, though its glossy visuals and less successful supporting cast hold it back. She singles out Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch, whose electric performances make the central relationship compelling. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/the-roses-review/) - **The Wrap** (65/100, inferred): The critic finds the film an ambitious, mostly funny mix of hope, misery, and horror, though it sometimes wobbles. Cumberbatch and Colman’s comic chemistry earns praise, while Kate McKinnon’s over-the-top performance is singled out as a misfire. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/the-roses-review-benedict-cumberbatch-olivia-colman/) - **Collider**, Ross Bonaime (6/10): The critic finds the film enjoyable but too restrained and insufficiently dark to reach its full potential. He singles out Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch’s bitter, comic performances as its main strength. [Read](https://collider.com/the-roses-review-benedict-cumberbatch-olivia-colman/) - **Paste**, Jesse Hassenger (5.6): Hassenger finds the film too safe and stuck in second gear, despite its more fleshed-out portrait of marriage. He praises the sharp banter delivered by Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch, while noting that the comedy and family conflicts often fall flat. [Read](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/jay-roach/the-roses-benedict-cumberbatch-olivia-colman-andy-samberg-kate-mckinnon) ## Details - **Director:** Jay Roach - **Director:** Jay Roach - **Screenplay:** Tony McNamara - **Novel:** Warren Adler - **Cinematography:** Florian Hoffmeister - **Editor:** Jon Poll - **Music:** Theodore Shapiro - **Production design:** Mark Ricker - **Costume design:** PC Williams - **Producer:** Jay Roach, Ed Sinclair, Adam Ackland - **Cast:** Olivia Colman as Ivy Rose; Benedict Cumberbatch as Theo Rose; Andy Samberg as Barry; Kate McKinnon as Amy; Belinda Bromilow as Janice; Ncuti Gatwa as Jeffrey; Sunita Mani as Jane; Zoë Chao as Sally - **Runtime:** 1h 45m - **Certificate (MPA):** R - **Release (the US):** 29 August 2025 - **Genres:** Comedy, Drama, Romance - **Budget:** $30 million - **Box office:** $52 million - **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rb3x45F6mrQ ## Where to watch in the US - Hulu: streaming, uhd - Disney+: add-on, uhd - Amazon Prime Video: rent $3.99, uhd - Amazon Prime Video: buy $19.99, uhd *Checked 2026-09-30.* Also available in: AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, IE, IS, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, TR, US. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country. ## If you liked this - *The War of the Roses* (1989): The same novel, filmed by someone who wanted it to hurt. - *Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?* (1966), Fi1m 86: One long night of a marriage taking lumps out of itself, brilliantly acted. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/whos-afraid-of-virginia-woolf.md) - *Scenes from a Marriage* (1973): Bergman’s version, slower, colder and far more honest about how it happens. - *Force Majeure* (2014), Fi1m 84: A Swedish ski holiday undone by one act of cowardice; funny and merciless. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/force-majeure.md) - *The Favourite* (2018), Fi1m 87: McNamara’s script with the cruelty left in, and Colman at her most fearless. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-favourite.md) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/the-roses