The latest film from director Jay Roach is The Roses, starring Olivia Colman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Andy Samberg, Kate McKinnon, and more. If you’ve been at the theater as often as I have this year, you’ve likely seen the trailer for this one again and again. Every time I saw it, I was pretty excited. I didn’t even realize at first that Jay Roach was directing, and while I can’t say I love all of his work, I’ve always been a big fan of the Austin Powers franchise and enjoyed Meet the Parents. So, with Colman and Cumberbatch leading a new comedy-drama under his direction, I went in intrigued.
This is a modern reimagining of The War of the Roses, based on Warren Adler’s novel. It follows Ivy and Theo Rose, a seemingly picture-perfect couple whose marriage unravels as her culinary career skyrockets while his architectural ambitions collapse. Set in California, the film dives into ambition, resentment, and the sharp edges of marriage when things start to fracture.
One thing I want to praise upfront is the simple fact that we’re getting theatrically released comedies again. Whether good or bad, funny or not, it’s refreshing to see studios take chances on comedies in theaters—because watching them with a live audience is half the fun. Comedy is subjective, even more so than film in general, and I think that’s important to remember here.
On the technical side, this is a well-made film. Cinematography, sound design, practical sets and locations—it’s all competently handled. This isn’t a movie that requires big effects, so the focus falls entirely on the script, the characters, and the performances. And when you have Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman leading the charge, you know you’re going to get quality performances. Both of them are endearing, charming, and deliver their trademark wit and sarcasm in ways that keep you engaged, even as their characters become increasingly unlikable. The supporting cast, including Samberg and McKinnon, each get a moment or two, but they’re ultimately just orbiting this central marriage falling apart.
Unfortunately, the film’s biggest flaw is that the trailer gave away far too much. It’s not new to say trailers spoil too much, but this one really does—down to jokes and antics from the third act. Watching the film, I found myself ticking boxes in my head as scenes played out. The funniest moments, the set pieces, even the climactic beats were all things I’d already seen advertised. It robs the movie of surprise, which is a shame because the story does mix comedy with genuine dramatic weight.
That leads me to where I think the film struggles most: the humor. While there are moments that made me smirk or chuckle, I didn’t find The Roses to be laugh-out-loud funny. The script just doesn’t always deliver, and much of the comedy fell flat for me. Ironically, the film works much better as a drama. The quieter, more serious moments between Cumberbatch and Colman often landed harder than the big comedic swings. They bring real heart to scenes that explore jealousy, ambition, and resentment within a marriage. But the tonal balance is off. The drama feels genuine, while the comedy often feels forced.
By the time the credits rolled, I thought the funniest moment in the whole movie was actually the ending gag that leads into the credits. It’s clever, it works, and it leaves the audience laughing as they head out. I just wish the rest of the movie had that same impact.
Overall, The Roses is competently made and features two excellent leads doing what they do best, but the script undercuts both the humor and the drama by never fully committing to either. It’s not a bad film, but it feels more like something that could have gone straight to streaming and disappeared in the shuffle. With this cast and this director, I wanted more. Instead, I walked away with a film that’s just okay—occasionally charming, occasionally funny, but not something I expect to be thinking about by the time the year is over.
Rating: 5.5/10