Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman star in The Roses, a dark comedy about a marriage unraveling with both tenderness and venom, directed by Jay Roach and written by Tony McNamara.
The film opens in a therapist’s office, where Theo (Cumberbatch) and Ivy (Colman) trade biting remarks that quickly reveal deep resentment. What begins as marital banter escalates into destructive acts, including hacked businesses, ruined friendships and eventually violence, blurring the line between comedy and tragedy.
The Roses revisits the themes of the 1989 film The War of the Roses, which also depicted a marriage collapsing under hostility. Like its predecessor, the new adaptation struggles with tone, moving from sarcastic quips to attempted murder while trying to retain comedic elements.
Cumberbatch portrays Theo, a successful architect whose career falters just as Ivy, a frustrated chef, opens her own restaurant and finds success. The reversal of roles strains their relationship further, with neither willing to compromise. Supporting performances from Andy Samberg and Kate McKinnon add another layer of marital dysfunction to the story.
Despite witty performances and sharp dialogue, critics note the film’s difficulty in balancing satire with the darker realities of marital breakdown. One standout line from Ivy underscores the film’s emotional core: “You stopped. You’re not supposed to stop.”
The Roses, a Searchlight Pictures release, is rated R for language, sexual content and drug use. The film runs 105 minutes and opens in theaters Friday.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
