Directed by Jay Roach.
The Roses was released in theaters on August 29, 2025.
Distributed by Searchlight Pictures.
Movie Review
The Roses (2025), directed by Jay Roach, is a dark comedy about a married couple whose relationship slowly falls apart in hilarious yet painful ways.
Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch play Ivy and Theo, two people who seem perfect on the outside but are full of resentment and ego underneath.
Their performances are the heart of the movie, sharp, funny, and deeply emotional.
The story mixes humor with drama, showing how pride and power can destroy love.
While some scenes feel a bit slow or over-the-top, the chemistry between the leads and the clever writing by Tony McNamara keep things engaging.
With stylish direction and witty dialogue, The Roses is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
It’s not a perfect film, but it’s a smart and modern take on marriage, love, and rivalry, one that balances laughs with deeper emotions.
CR Rating – 7/10
The Roses (2025) Actors
Benedict Cumberbatch as Theo Rose
DOB: July 19, 1976.
Bio: One of Britain’s most acclaimed actors, Benedict Cumberbatch has a versatile career spanning stage, television, and film.
He is known for portraying intense, cerebral characters with emotional complexity and nuanced internal conflict.
Role: Theo Rose is an architect whose carefully controlled life begins to fracture as his marriage to Ivy unravels.
Career pressures, shifting domestic dynamics, and personal insecurities push him into morally and emotionally fraught situations.
What to expect: A measured, deeply controlled performance showcasing simmering resentment, awkward masculinity, and internal conflict.
Interesting facts: Cumberbatch is also a producer on The Roses, demonstrating creative involvement beyond acting.
Critics highlighted his bravery in playing a less immediately sympathetic character, embracing moral ambiguity in the central marriage storyline.
Notable works: Sherlock, The Imitation Game, Doctor Strange (MCU), The Power of the Dog.
Olivia Colman as Ivy Rose
DOB: January 30, 1974.
Bio: Oscar- and Emmy-winning British actor celebrated for her extraordinary range, seamlessly moving between comedy, drama, and nuanced character work.
She is known for her ability to inhabit fully realized, multi-dimensional roles, bringing authenticity, emotional depth, and subtle humor to each performance.
Role: Ivy Rose is a talented and ambitious restaurateur whose professional success increasingly shifts the balance in her marriage to Theo.
As Ivy flourishes, her confidence and assertiveness clash with Theo’s insecurities, leading to escalating tension and emotional conflict.
What to expect: A commanding, layered performance blending wit, emotional intensity, and simmering bitterness.
Interesting facts: Colman also has producing credits and is frequently recognized for her creative input on projects.
Notable works: The Favourite, Broadchurch, The Crown, The Lost Daughter, The Night Manager.
Kate McKinnon as Amy
DOB: January 6, 1984.
Bio: Emmy-winning American actor and comedian, best known for her versatile, boundary-pushing work on Saturday Night Live.
She excels at blending surreal physical comedy, sharp impressions, and genuine emotional nuance, making her a standout in both comedic and dramatic contexts.
Role: Amy is a key figure within the Roses’ social circle and is married to Barry.
She serves as both comic relief and a subtle commentator on the unraveling dynamics of Theo and Ivy’s marriage.
What to expect: Scene-stealing comedic energy, precise timing, and moments of sharp social observation.
Interesting facts: McKinnon’s casting was highlighted in press coverage as a tonal anchor for the film’s mix of dark comedy and domestic drama.
Notable works: Saturday Night Live, Barbie, Ghostbusters (2016), Noelle.
Andy Samberg as Barry
DOB: August 18, 1978.
Bio: American actor, comedian, writer, and musician, widely recognized for his work as part of the comedy group The Lonely Island.
He gained fame on Saturday Night Live and is celebrated for his energetic, irreverent humor, and ability to play charmingly goofy or mischievous characters.
Role: Barry is a friend of Theo and Ivy Rose and the husband of Amy.
He occupies the role of a socially affable bystander, often navigating between ally and opportunist as the Roses’ marriage disintegrates.
What to expect: A comic foil whose behavior helps expose the couple’s social playground and escalating cruelties.
Interesting facts: Samberg’s background in sketch comedy and improvisation allows him to infuse spontaneity into the role, making Barry feel unpredictable and lively without overwhelming the story.
Notable works: Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, The Lonely Island.
Allison Janney as Eleanor
DOB: November 19, 1959.
Bio: American actress renowned for her versatility across stage, television, and film.
Known for her sharp intelligence, commanding presence, and nuanced performances, Janney has built a career playing characters that are both formidable and deeply human.
Role: Eleanor is Ivy Rose’s divorce lawyer in The Roses (2025).
She serves as both a clever legal strategist and a source of biting humor, navigating the escalating tensions between Ivy and Theo.
What to expect: A crisp, authoritative performance that balances legal-savvy heat with comic timing.
Interesting facts: Janney has a history of elevating supporting roles into memorable, standout performances.
Notable works: The West Wing, I, Tonya (Oscar-winning role), Mom, American Beauty.
Sunita Mani as Jane
DOB: December 13, 1986.
Bio: American actress, dancer, and comedian celebrated for her versatility and distinctive physicality.
She first gained attention through viral dance clips before establishing herself in television with standout roles in Mr. Robot and GLOW.
Role: Jane is Ivy Rose’s sous-chef and trusted workplace ally in The Roses (2025).
She provides a window into Ivy’s professional life, embodying the dedication, skill, and loyalty that underpin the restaurateur’s success.
What to expect: Energetic, grounded support that fleshes out Ivy’s professional world and loyalties.
Interesting facts: Mani’s dance and viral performance background allows her to imbue even minor interactions with kinetic energy, making her a memorable supporting character.
Notable works: GLOW, Mr. Robot, Save Yourselves!.
Ncuti Gatwa as Jeffrey
DOB: October 15, 1992.
Bio: Rwandan-Scottish actor who rose to international prominence through his Emmy-nominated performance as Eric Effiong in Sex Education.
Known for his magnetic screen presence, comedic timing, and emotional depth, Gatwa seamlessly transitions between drama and comedy.
Role: Jeffrey is the front-of-house manager at Ivy Rose’s restaurant in The Roses (2025).
As a key figure in the restaurant’s daily operations, Jeffrey serves as both a stabilizing presence and a narrative lens into the pressures, successes, and interpersonal dynamics behind Ivy’s rise.
What to expect: Warm, magnetic support that helps humanize the restaurant as a character in the story.
Interesting facts: Gatwa’s rise from Sex Education to a global franchise like Doctor Who gives the character added star power and audience recognition, enhancing the ensemble dynamic.
Notable works: Sex Education, Barbie, Doctor Who.
Jamie Demetriou as Rory
DOB: November 1, 1987.
Bio: British comedian, actor, and writer, best known for his BAFTA-winning work on Stath Lets Flats.
Celebrated for his off-kilter, deadpan comedic style, Demetriou excels at creating characters whose awkwardness and subtle social cues generate both humor and discomfort.
Role: Rory is a friend within the Roses’ social circle in The Roses (2025).
Through his interactions with Theo, Ivy, and the wider ensemble, Rory highlights the petty competitiveness, social pressures, and subtle cruelties that exacerbate the central couple’s marital tensions.
What to expect: Subtle but hilarious comedic color, a character who makes ordinary cruelty feel crushingly ordinary.
Interesting facts: Demetriou frequently writes and develops his own comedic material, allowing him to bring full depth to even brief supporting roles.
Notable works: Stath Lets Flats, Fleabag, stage comedy.
Zoë Chao as Sally
DOB: September 19, 1985.
Bio: American actor, writer, and playwright known for her versatility across indie film, stage, and television.
Chao’s work balances comedic timing with dramatic resonance, making her a compelling presence on-screen.
Role: Sally is a friend within the Roses’ social circle and the wife of Rory.
In The Roses (2025), she functions as a social mirror for the central couple, providing reactions, commentary, and subtle judgment that illuminate Theo and Ivy’s marital dynamics.
What to expect: A grounded performance that helps the world feel lived-in and plausible.
Interesting facts: In addition to acting, Chao is an accomplished playwright and screenwriter, which informs her ability to deliver nuanced, layered performances even in brief roles.
Notable works: The Afterparty, Strangers, stage work.
Belinda Bromilow as Janice
DOB: May 21, 1975.
Bio: Australian character actor celebrated for her ability to bring depth, humor, and relatability to supporting roles in both drama and comedy.
With extensive experience in stage and screen, she has a talent for creating memorablecharacters with minimal screen time.
Role: Janice is the Roses’ marriage counselor in The Roses (2025).
She serves as a professional mediator whose calm demeanor is challenged by the escalating tensions between Theo and Ivy.
What to expect: Dry, observational comedy and an ability to make short scenes feel pivotal.
Interesting facts: Bromilow is admired for her resilience and openness about personal health challenges.
Her long-standing career in Australian stage and television has made her a respected figure among peers.
Notable works: The Great, Doctor Doctor.
Hala Finley as Hattie Rose
DOB: May 18, 2009.
Bio: Young American actress who has been performing since early childhood.
She is known for delivering naturalistic, emotionally resonant performances that stand out even in ensemble casts.
Role: Hattie Rose is one of Theo and Ivy’s twin children in The Roses (2025).
Hala portrays the older Hattie, whose teenage perspective underscores the domestic pressures and emotional consequences of her parents’ unraveling marriage.
What to expect: A convincing, honest child performance that roots the couple’s domestic stakes in real family life.
Interesting facts: Hala has been acting from a very young age and is frequently recognized in the press for her ability to deliver scene-stealing, emotionally authentic performances even in supporting ensemble roles.
Notable works: Man with a Plan, We Can Be Heroes.
Wells Rappaport as Roy Rose
DOB: N/A.
Bio: American actor who has been appearing in a number of 2024–2025 projects.
He is gaining recognition for his naturalistic performances and ability to convey emotional complexity in supporting roles.
Role: Rose is Theo and Ivy’s son.
Wells portrays the older Roy in scenes that explore how his parents’ actions have impacted him.
What to expect: A grounded, adolescent performance that helps the family drama feel generational.
Interesting facts: As a rising talent, Rappaport’s career is still developing, and his social and professional profiles are emerging.
Notable works: F Plus (2025) and other emerging credits.
More Actors
• Delaney Quinn as Hattie Rose (younger).
• Ollie Robinson as Roy Rose (younger).
• Akie Kotabe as Alan.
• Margaret Clunie as Sophy.
• Caroline Partridge as Sylvia.
FAQ – The Roses (2025) Movie
What is The Roses (2025) about?
It’s a dark comedy about a married couple whose once-perfect relationship turns into an epic battle of egos, chaos, and revenge when their love story falls apart.
Is the movie The Roses a remake of War of the Roses?
The filmmakers describe it as a modern reimagining inspired by The War of the Roses, not a direct scene-for-scene remake, it aims to explore contemporary themes in a fresh way. More on EW
Where was The Roses filmed?
The Roses (2025) was filmed mainly in the UK, with beautiful seaside scenes shot in Salcombe and Combe Martin in Devon, and interior scenes filmed at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire.
How long is The Roses?
The film runs for about 1 hour and 45 minutes (105 minutes).
Why is Roses rated R?
The Roses is rated R for strong language, dark humor, and mature relationship themes.
Conclusion
The Roses (2025) delivers a clever and emotional look at the chaos of love gone wrong.
Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch shine as a couple whose marriage turns into a battle of pride and passion, making every scene feel both funny and painfully real.
Jay Roach’s direction and Tony McNamara’s witty script turn what could have been a simple breakup story into a stylish, powerful dark comedy about ego and vulnerability.
It’s a film that makes you laugh, reflect, and maybe even see a bit of yourself in the madness of love.