Despite a sharp script from Tony McNamara and a talented ensemble led by Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman, The Roses fails to live up as a solid remake and doesn’t distinguish itself enough from the original film.

The Roses – a 2025 reimagining of the 1989 black-comedy classic, The War of Roses – arrives with polished aesthetics, a razor-sharp script, and a cast brimming with talent and charisma. Here, director Jay Roach teams up with screenwriter Tony McNamara to revisit this marital satire. McNamara’s screenplay shines with his usual dialogue perfectly stuffed with clever banter and witty observations, all brilliantly delivered by the impeccably cast Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman, whose characters conjure both affection and antagonism in equal measure. Their chemistry anchors the film, allowing moments of verbal venom and subtle heartbreak to land with gravitas, even when the story drifts off track. Yet, despite McNamara’s flirtations with black-comedy and the talent of the actors, this update never quite embraces the material, ultimately resulting in a film that looks good but feels unusually empty. 

McNamara’s script is perhaps the film’s saving grace. His ear for verbal arguments gives Cumberbatch and Colman plenty to work on. Their chemistry is entertaining to watch in both the loud and quiet moments. Their characters’ journeys are full of biting humor and moments of tenderness. Supporting actors Andy Samberg, Kate McKinnin, and Allison Janney also offer entertaining moments but too often feel like little sprinkles instead of real parts of the narrative. 

The trouble here lies in Jay Roach’s direction. Known for broader comedies such as Austin Powers and Meet the Parents, Roach struggles to navigate the tonal tightrope this story and McNamara’s dialogue demands. Where the original film embraced the grotesque and even leaned into the chaos, Roach opts for a rather sunnier, almost safer approach. While the film is witty, it doesn’t go dark enough in a manner to separate itself from the original. 

As a result, The Roses cannot escape the shadow of its predecessor. What should have been an unapologetic and merciless black comedy is instead a film that is hesitant and self cautious, afraid to push its characters too far, regardless if the actors on screen demands it. The sharp dialogue and energetic cast do much of the heavy lifting, but ultimately the film lacks any courage of its own convictions. The Roses is far from a disaster. Colman and Cumberbatch alone make it worth watching. However, the film never achieves the biting, visceral punch its lineage promises. As a glossy, updated take on a classic, it entertains in the moment, but quickly fades as soon as you walk out of the theater. For a story that once reveled in the spectacle of mutual annihilation, this soft landing feels like the most boring cut of all.

Rating: C-

Oscar Prospects:
Likely: None
Should be Considered: None

Where to Watch: In Theaters