‘The Roses’ Review: A Bittersweet Tale of Love and Resentment

Back in 1989, Danny DeVito brought Warren Adler’s best-selling novel “The War of the Roses” to life on the big screen. Over three decades later, Jay Roach got his hands on the original to reimagine the classic tale, this time with new faces at the forefront of the story and a new, simplified title: “The Roses.”

Roach is, after all, no stranger to comedies. He is the filmmaker behind some of the beloved comedy flicks, including the Austin Powers film series and Meet the Parents. His version of “The War of the Roses” only further solidified his knack for the genre, giving it a contemporary flair while staying fairly true to the original’s satirical core. Similar to the 1989 box-office hit, “The Roses” centers on a lifelong married couple called, well, the Roses. On the surface, they seem to be a picture-perfect couple. Imperfect, but also loving toward one another. But behind their façade lies a longstanding hidden resentment.

The Beat Asia got a chance to attend an advance screening of the black comedy last Aug. 20. Here’s what we really thought of the modern remake — or should we say, a classic in the making.

Warning: Spoilers ahead!

‘The Roses’ Is a Star-Studded Fare

What better way to market a movie than by casting prominent figures in the industry? That is the case with “The Roses,” a film that boasts an ensemble cast led by Benedict Cumberbatch (“Doctor Strange”) and Olivia Colman (“The Favourite”) as Theo and Ivy Rose, respectively.

The movie also features an impressive supporting cast, including the likes of Andy Samberg (“Brooklyn Nine-Nine”), Ncuti Gatwa (“Barbie”), Kate McKinnon (“The Spy Who Dumped Me”), Zoë Chao (“The Afterparty”), Sunita Mani (“GLOW”), and Allison Janney (“I, Tonya”), who — however brief her appearance was — stole a particular scene as Ivy’s ferocious divorce lawyer, Eleanor.

Despite its stacked cast, “The Roses” is more than just a showcase of star power. At the heart of the movie is its storytelling: it’s tense and hilarious, bordering on drama, yet remains light enough to keep you engaged. Even more impressive, it doesn’t try too hard to be funny, which is why all the lines land smoothly. That is, of course, thanks in no small part to its talented cast, backed by an incredible screenplay from “Poor Things” and “Cruella” scribe Tony McNamara.

The movie opens with Theo and Ivy in couples therapy as they try to mend their relationship. You know, you never try to fix what’s not broken. So it’s clear from the get-go: they’ve already fallen apart. They are then asked to list all the things they love or like about each other. The problem is that both of them seem to struggle to come up with one, except for things that aren’t really compliments. For example, one of them says they like the fact that their better half has… an arm.

It was truly, to say the least, a struggle for the two that couples counsellor Janice (Belinda Bromilow) raised the ultimate concern: Theo and Ivy’s relationship was beyond fixing. It was irreparable. They were no longer good for each other, and their marriage was already doomed — it might as well end. Neither of them had the capacity to fix their problems, according to Janice herself. In their therapist’s defense, though, even a person who isn’t a professional could say the same thing.

Can Love and Hatred Really Co-Exist?

Perhaps. That is especially true for Theo and Ivy, whose competitive and prideful natures got the best of them, ultimately driving them away from what really mattered. Before their love turned sour, they had what many — or at least some — desire: a perfect marriage. Theo, an architect, and Ivy, a chef, hit it off almost immediately. They first met inside a restaurant kitchen, where Ivy worked. What began as a chance encounter blossomed into a fruitful marriage years later.

Both Colman and Cumberbatch portrayed their roles exceptionally well, playing a couple who, to quote Tinashe, “matched each other’s freak.” They understand each other and are both so good at being their funny, sarcastic selves. A power couple, if one must say. A decade into the story, we’re introduced to their two great kids, Hattie and Roy Rose, who share the same wit and deadpan humor as their parents. It was just the ideal married life anyone could’ve asked for.

Theo and Ivy’s married life is anything but frigid. They’d certainly have audiences rooting for them. At first, at least. Plus, the couple lives on the California coast. It can’t get better than that. They were also supportive of each other, with Theo having helped Ivy build her own restaurant, which she later named We’ve Got Crabs. Theo also had a flourishing career as an architect — until things went south when a storm literally ruined everything. As Ivy’s career began to take off, Theo watched his crumble before his eyes. A storm crashed the establishment he had taken pride in creating, tarnishing his reputation and credibility forever. The same pivotal night Ivy saw her career’s trajectory change for the better was also the same night Theo’s career collapsed.

Movies have always been a cinematic (sometimes romanticized) reflection of reality. “The Roses,” no matter how over-the-top, is weirdly relatable. It showcases the many facets of love, particularly one that is strong and affectionate but suddenly goes wrong — no warning, no hints.

‘The Roses’ Is a Masterclass in Walking on Eggshells

Theo did try to be happy for Ivy. On the other hand, Ivy couldn’t afford to celebrate her recent win in life just yet, while her husband was going through a rough patch, from losing his job to being an internet meme and turning into a laughing stock overnight. Theo’s life, at that moment, was an endless spiral of despair and agony. It also didn’t help that people around him kept reminding him of his failure, albeit in a comedic manner. So Ivy kept it all to herself, as — although sad for Theo — she was nonetheless elated at how her career was turning out. She was also careful with her words and had been mincing them to be sensitive enough to Theo’s current situation. No celebratory words. And she would tend to veer away from things that would remind Theo of that night, sometimes to no avail.

Ivy walked on eggshells every time, while Theo tried his very best (emphasis on tried) not to be jealous of Ivy’s victories. Ivy’s career was really taking off to greater heights, which meant more time tending to her growing business and less time with her family. Theo, who was technically jobless, had more time to spend with their kids, whom he had been training to be athletic, disciplined, and responsible. That would later make Ivy feel she was slowly losing connection with her children.

Hattie and Roy (played by Hala Finley and Wells Rappaport as the teenage counterparts of the siblings) grew even closer to their father, while their mother had not always been present, mainly because she was practically the breadwinner of the family. Ivy began to feel jealous of Theo’s relationship with their children, while Theo continued to feel jealous of Ivy’s career. And then came the simmering resentment.

“The Roses” truly delved into some pretty dark and depressing themes, though Roach was still able to incorporate the funny. It’s his strong suit. Both Colman and Cumberbatch carried the movie on their backs as the main leads, but the supporting cast members refused to be mere fillers. Gatwa, who recently took on the mantle as the next Doctor Who, contributed plenty to the film’s humor, starring as Ivy’s waiter, Jeffrey.

The script is strong in and of itself, but Gatwa’s delivery was spot-on — almost as if he brought some Eric Effiong (a character he played in “Sex Education”) to this role, but one that is stronger and fully realized. Then there’s McKinnon’s Amy and Samberg’s Barry, who would go on to become Theo’s divorce lawyer. The “SNL” alums played husband and wife and were dear friends to the Roses. Amy, however, seemed to be capitalizing on Theo and Ivy’s dying marriage, making some not-so-subtle efforts to seduce the former. The result was a funny and uncomfortable dynamic that added both tension and humor to the story.

An Explosive Conclusion

At that point, it was clear that they were beyond repair. During a dinner celebration for their new home, they just couldn’t get along anymore, making their guests uncomfortable. Real trouble emerged when Theo helped save a whale (yes, a whale), which he claimed he had a connection with. In that very moment, he realized one thing: he was no longer happy. And he no longer wanted to live an unhappy life; thus, he wanted a divorce.

Perhaps the most heartbreaking part wasn’t the divorce, but the fact that none of them actually fell out of love. Not even Theo, who constantly dismissed Amy’s sexual advances. Although heartbroken and furious, Ivy agreed to settle the divorce on one condition: she wanted sole ownership of the house. After multiple fights and a chaotic hearing, an epic battle ensued one night. All Theo wanted was for Ivy to sign the paper agreeing to let him have the house for himself, while Ivy was still reeling from the end of it all.

To say they fought would be an understatement. It was a battle — a dangerous one, at that. Ivy fired a few bullets toward Theo. To justify her actions, Theo tried to kill her, somewhat, by using her allergies against her, just so she’d sign the papers while he held off the EpiPen. Ironically, the EpiPen Theo once used to prevent Ivy from succumbing to her allergies was the same medical device he’d use to his advantage. It should also be mentioned that the movie didn’t leave any loose ends or unresolved plot points just to add fillers to the story; most of them were integral to the whole narrative and would later become important moments for the film.

Ivy’s final straw was recognizing such hatred brewed inside Theo that he was willing to do everything, even at the expense of her life, leading to her ultimately losing it. After that one chaotic battle, they both realized they couldn’t live a life without each other. Shocker, I know, but who are we to judge these two damaged souls? Even their kids agreed it was best for them to part ways. But their love was just so, so strong — or was it codependency?

In the end, both seemed to have it figured out. But the Julia Child stove that Theo destroyed that very night was on the verge of exploding. The film leaves its conclusion deliberately ambiguous. Did they die in the explosion? Did the house burn to ashes? Was it the start of a new dilemma? Or is it symbolic of their relationship’s destruction?

Is ‘The Roses’ Worth Watching?

Our final verdict? Yes. “The Roses” could easily have failed. The black comedy genre has been hit or miss over the past decades, with several features seemingly struggling to balance satire and comedy. Furthermore, it’s a remake of a classic, critical darling of a movie. And the thing about remakes is, they’re either unnecessary or so iconic they don’t tarnish the original’s charm. In fact, some of them are deemed better than the original. “The Roses” is definitely the latter.

If you’re someone who loves dark humor in your comedy (yet one that’s also smart and bold), “The Roses” will be a perfect cinematic ride. There are no dull moments, and it’s entertaining — sometimes shocking — from start to finish. It also explores how pride and hatred can consume people, getting the best of them. On the acting front, we can expect nothing less from Cumberbatch and Colman. Both are forces to be reckoned with in the industry.

“The Roses” is now showing in Philippine cinemas. Follow 20th Century Studios Philippines on Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter), and Instagram for updates on more exciting movie releases coming your way.

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Originally published at thebeat.asia on August 28, 2025.