the roses movie review

The movie "The Roses" (2025), starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman, is a dark comedy-drama exploring the disintegration of a marriage over time. It follows Theo, an architect, and Ivy, a chef, as their career fortunes reverse and personal frustrations mount, leading to an intense and sometimes acerbic relationship dynamic. Critics praise the film for the strong performances and chemistry between Cumberbatch and Colman, with sharp, witty dialogue and authentic portrayal of marital strain. The movie balances humor with dark, emotional themes, although some secondary characters and subplots are seen as less effective. The film's marketing as a full-on dark comedy is somewhat misleading, as much of the film is a slow-burn drama culminating in more chaotic moments toward the end. Overall, the reception is generally positive with many recommending it for its smart and compelling examination of love, ambition, and frustration, especially highlighting the lead actors' performances and the film's emotional depth. The movie scores around 8 out of 10 from some reviewers, though some find the tone uneven or wish it leaned more into its wild comedic potential.