The Roses Movie (2025): Plot, Cast, Reviews & Where to Watch

Marriage movies have a way of sticking with you — especially when the couple in question looks more put-together than most. Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman anchor a dark comedy that takes the familiar premise of a picture-perfect union going sideways and twists it into something sharper, more satirical. The film hit U.S. theaters on August 29, 2025, and by November had arrived on Disney+ with the kind of ensemble cast that makes you pause before you press play.

Release Year: 2025 · Stars: Olivia Colman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Andy Samberg · Genre: Dark Comedy · Based On: The War of the Roses (1989) · Runtime: TBD

What is the new movie The Roses about?

The film follows Theo and Ivy Rose, a couple whose outward success masks a marriage in freefall. According to the official synopsis from Searchlight Pictures (the film’s U.S. distributor), their story begins in London where they meet, relocate to Mendocino, California, and build what looks like an enviable life — successful careers, twins Hattie and Roy. But resentment builds as Theo’s career declines while Ivy’s ambitions rise, turning their family home into a battleground.

Plot overview

The story hinges on how a 14-year marriage unravels once the status quo shifts. As described by Plugged In, the film tracks the couple’s journey from first meeting in a restaurant kitchen to their descent into sabotage and divorce warfare. The tone leans satirical rather than purely dramatic — this is less a cautionary tale and more a darkly comedic examination of how resentment poisons what appears perfect.

Key themes

Career sacrifice, shifting power dynamics within relationships, and the performative nature of domestic success run throughout the narrative. The film draws from Warren Adler’s 1981 novel but relocates the action from its original setting, reflecting contemporary anxieties about professional identity and personal fulfillment.

Is The Roses a remake of The War of the Roses?

Yes, The Roses is a reimagining of the 1989 film The War of the Roses, which itself was adapted from Warren Adler’s 1981 novel. According to Wikipedia, the new version shifts the setting from the original film’s East Coast American suburbs to London and then Mendocino, California, while updating the career-focused conflict for modern sensibilities.

Original 1989 film

The Danny DeVito-directed original starred Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner as Oliver and Barbara Rose — a couple whose divorce devolves into increasingly violent chaos over a house they both want. The 1989 film became a cult dark comedy, known for its unapologetic escalation of domestic conflict.

Key differences

The 2025 version introduces distinct character dynamics: Theo (Cumberbatch) is an architect whose career decline triggers Ivy’s ascent as a restaurateur. Supporting roles are filled by Andy Samberg as Barry, Kate McKinnon as Amy, and Ncuti Gatwa as Jeffrey. The screenplay by Tony McNamara (Disney+) brings the satirical sensibility he demonstrated in Poor Things, giving the material a different comedic register than the original’s darker edge.

Is The Roses a good film?

Critics gave The Roses mixed reviews following its August 2025 release. The film grossed $52 million worldwide according to Wikipedia, a respectable performance for a dark comedy but not a breakout hit. The reception split along predictable lines: those who appreciated the satirical tone praised its willingness to be uncomfortable, while others found the tonal shifts too jarring.

Early buzz

Pre-release anticipation was strong, driven largely by the Cumberbatch-Colman pairing. Rotten Tomatoes listed the film under Comedy/Drama, signaling a tone that balanced humor with serious thematic material. As of late 2025, the full critic consensus score remained in flux as more reviews accumulated.

Cast strengths

The ensemble cast drew particular attention. ODEON Cinemas profiled the cast, highlighting Benedict Cumberbatch, Olivia Colman, and Ncuti Gatwa specifically. Both Colman and Cumberbatch also serve as executive producers, suggesting creative investment beyond pure performance. Kate McKinnon’s comedy background adds an unpredictable element to what could otherwise be a straightforward dramatic setup.

The Roses movie cast

The cast centers on two of Britain’s most acclaimed actors, supported by an ensemble that brings both comedy credentials and dramatic depth. Wikipedia documents the full credits, though some minor role discrepancies exist between sources.

Main stars

Disney+ confirms the lead roles: Olivia Colman plays Ivy Rose, the up-and-coming restaurateur, while Benedict Cumberbatch portrays Theo Rose, her architect husband. Both actors have extensive dramatic credentials — Colman won an Oscar for The Favourite, Cumberbatch is best known for Sherlock and Doctor Strange — which gives weight to the marital conflict at the film’s center.

Supporting roles

Andy Samberg appears as Barry, adding comedic timing that the trailers suggested would be central to the film’s satirical approach. Kate McKinnon plays Amy, and Rotten Tomatoes notes Allison Janney in a role that some sources list as Amy while Wikipedia cites as Eleanor — a minor discrepancy worth noting for viewers tracking exact credits. Other supporting players include Ncuti Gatwa (Jeffrey), Sunita Mani (Jane), and Jamie Demetriou (Rory).

Where to watch The Roses movie?

The film’s release strategy followed a conventional theatrical-to-streaming path. Searchlight Pictures handled U.S. theatrical distribution, with the film reaching theaters on August 29, 2025. Following the theatrical window, Disney+ secured streaming rights.

Streaming platforms

Disney+ confirmed the film became available on November 21, 2025, though with specific restrictions: the platform notes availability for U.S. residents aged 18 and older, requiring location data verification. International streaming dates remain less clearly documented as of this writing.

Cinema release

The theatrical run generated $52 million globally — a reasonable return for a dark comedy with adult-oriented themes. Rotten Tomatoes documented the August 29 release date for U.S. audiences, with ODEON Cinemas coverage suggesting UK and Irish theatrical availability prior to streaming.

The comparison table illustrates how the 2025 reimagining updates the original’s domestic warfare premise for contemporary sensibilities while preserving its satirical edge.

The Roses occupies an interesting middle ground: ambitious enough to reimagining familiar material with distinctive talent, restrained enough by its modest $52 million gross to suggest it hasn’t conquered mainstream audiences the way its cast might have implied. Jay Roach directs with evident comfort in the dark comedy register, and Tony McNamara’s screenplay — he of Poor Things acclaim — delivers the kind of uncomfortable satire that either clicks immediately or feels like a misfire, depending on your tolerance for comedy that refuses to fully commit to laughs or tears.

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