The Roses – Review and Summary

In the latest “The War of the Roses” adaptation, biting humor and evolving gender dynamics take center stage for a more modern version of the classic story.

ByAmari Allah Hours Posted on

Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.

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“The Roses” Film Details

  • Runtime: 1 Hour(s) and 45 Minutes
  • Released On: In Theaters
  • Public Release Date: August 28, 2025
  • Director(s): Jay Roach
  • Writer(s): Tony McNamara
  • Based On Work By: Warren Adler
  • Primary Language: English
  • Genre(s): Comedy, Drama
  • Rating: Rated R
  • Distributor: Searchlight Pictures
  • Official Site Link

Movie Summary

For 13 years, Ivy and Theo have been the rebels from England who came to America to get away from people not seeing their vision and wanting to do their own thing. As an architect, Theo found his former firm to be more focused on budget than style and substance. Ivy? As a cook, the lack of ability to experiment and have autonomy was her issue.

So, Theo followed Ivy to California, and over the course of their 13-year marriage, they had two kids, and as Ivy’s career skyrocketed, Theo’s collapsed. Thus leading to the heart of the movie in which Theo and Ivy try to figure out how, or if, their marriage can evolve with new financial dynamics. For with both having notable egos and old-school mentalities regarding money not only buying material things, but perhaps the edge in any argument, it’s hard to say if this marriage should continue. As well as, if it doesn’t, whether Ivy or Theo may leave it in a body bag.

Cast and Characters

Theo (Benedict Cumberbatch)

  • Character Summary: Theo is an architect who has long been a vocal critic of design that lacks style and substance and focuses strictly on budget. But, without a notable portfolio to his name, he was long just a complainer. However, after moving to America, he got his shot, and it altered not only his career but his marriage, mostly for the worse.

Ivy (Olivia Colman)

  • Check out other productions we’ve covered starring this actor: [Link to Actor’s Tag]
  • Character Summary: A creative chef, who mainly focuses on seafood, it was Ivy’s idea, before she met Theo, to move to America to have some form of mobility in her career field. Which, initially, she didn’t have as she dedicated herself to being a wife and mom, cooking for her family. But, using his architect money, Theo bought her a place, and thanks to a freak storm, Theo’s fall led to Ivy’s rise.

Amy (Kate McKinnon)

  • Check out other productions we’ve covered starring this actor: [Link to Actor’s Tag]
  • Character Summary: Amy is Barry’s wife, who is like the majority of Kate McKinnon’s characters. She is uninhibited, completely herself, and knows how to make people uncomfortable. Ivy doesn’t like her and Theo? Well, her pursuit of him for one special night makes their relationship good for the ego sometimes, but at what cost?

Barry (Andy Samberg)

  • Check out other productions we’ve covered starring this actor: [Link to Actor’s Tag]
  • Character Summary: A real estate lawyer with an odd relationship with his wife, Amy, Barry is Theo’s closest friend and seems to be the person who helped him find his community.

Sally (Zoë Chao)

  • Check out other productions we’ve covered starring this actor: [Link to Actor’s Tag]
  • Character Summary: Sally is a fellow architect, married to Rory.

Rory (Jamie Demetriou)

  • Check out other productions we’ve covered starring this actor: [Link to Actor’s Tag]
  • Character Summary: Rory is Sally’s husband, who is perhaps one of Theo’s biggest haters.

What To Expect In “The Roses” (Rated R) – Content Overview

  • Dialog:
    • Cursing: Throughout
  • Violence:
    • Gun Violence: Occasional Use
    • Domestic Violence: Yes
    • Gore/ Blood/ Body Horror: Bleeding
    • Notable Violence: Torture, Self-Harm, Intense Fight Scenes
  • Sexual Content:
    • Sexual Situations: Implied
  • Miscellaneous:
    • Drinking: Yes
    • Drug Use: Recreational
    • Vomiting: Yes
    • Smoking: Yes

Review and Commentary

Highlight(s)

The Comedy – Especially Ivy and Theo’s Banter [83/100]

Biting British humor, paired with the shock value that is often used in American humor, clashes so wonderfully in The Roses. As you watch Ivy and Theo trade barbs, be it the creative ways they call each other narcissists, downplay their roles in the family, or deliver low blows, you will not only laugh but sometimes want to take note of a particular good insult. Then, add in these back and forths, which rarely occur in private but are when they are in social situations, stirring in that awkwardness makes the moments all the more funny.

But what adds to things is watching Barry and Amy’s observations, never mind Sally and Rory joining in, thinking that the cutting back and forth is keeping things hot between Ivy and Theo. It all leads to the type of comments that will make you wide-eyed and often cause you to cover your mouth because you can’t believe they just said that, or covering your mouth because you’ve become a bit self-conscious about how loud you are laughing.

Kate McKinnon Being Kate McKinnon [82/100]

A special note has to be made about Kate McKinnon. Yes, she only knows how to play one type of character, like the majority of comedians who have come out of SNL. However, there is no denying her shtick of playing someone who doesn’t understand boundaries, lacks inhibition, and is so sure of who they are that it can make those who aren’t uncomfortable, is a welcome part of The Roses.

How she handles being Andy Samberg’s spouse, never mind hitting on Benedict Cumberbatch, isn’t necessarily scene-stealing, but like with Ivy’s culinary concoctions, it adds a bit of flavor and will make you so badly wish this had a gag reel or outtakes during the credits.

The Transformation Of Ivy and Theo’s Marriage Over Time [84/100]

At the heart of the movie is an exploration of how relationships evolve, or devolve, over time. When things start out, Ivy is more of a homemaker while Theo works full-time. Things shift as Theo gets Ivy a restaurant, something happens at work for them, and things switch. Seeing how Ivy reacts when she becomes the breadwinner and Theo is now raising the kids, doing laundry and cleaning, it creates a level of commentary which I don’t think the film wishes to inspire a dissertation, but does present interesting topics to explore.

Beyond money, there is the conversation of including your spouse in your personal growth. Ivy didn’t need Theo to be part of her restaurant, from helping to remodel or any of that. Yet, when it came to raising the kids, she wanted to be included, invited, exert her influence, and play an active role. When Theo designed a home for them, using Ivy’s money, he wanted her input and approval beyond the fact that she held the purse strings.

Seeing in the less dramatic moments what either side needed from the other reminds you how much it is the little things that make a comment go from a good and clever barb to a cutting insult. How banter and someone being able to take a joke can lead to animosity and a nasty divorce. Never mind how people’s relationship with money and purpose informs how they treat other people, especially those closest to them.

I would never say The Roses is a notable character study, but at the heart of any comedy is the truth about humanity, and The Roses reminds you that winning and being right is the easiest way sometimes to end up being alone, or feeling alone, and miserable.

Overall

Our Rating (83/100): Positive (Worth Seeing)

Chaotic, dysfunctional, sometimes heart-warming, and other times a stark warning, The Roses depicts marriage as a commitment not for the meek. In its depiction of Ivy and Theo’s relationship, it reminds you that finding your person can be the best thing that ever happens to you, as they support you, build a family with you, and can give some sense of being understood or complete. But, just as they can give you everything and more, they can take that away either through a million cuts or the type of blows that may make you wonder if they ever loved you in the first place.

Video Text

  1. Intro Slide
  2. Summary: 13 years ago, Theo and Ivy met when they were dissatisfied with their careers in England and decided together to move to California for the opportunities they deserved.
  3. Summary: Initially, Theo got his wish and got to be an architect who got to focus on style and substance, and later on, he helped Ivy open a restaurant and be the head chef.
  4. Summary: However, as Theo lost his position as breadwinner and Ivy took over, things didn’t just change financially, but the dynamic between them was different.
  5. Summary: Thus, leading to a movie where neither knows how to get back to a good place for the banter that once brought them together has become knives, ripping them apart.
  • Review: As a comedy, there is no denying that, between McNamara’s writing and this cast, the majority of audience members will get a handful of laughs.
  • Review: Whether it is Kate McKinnon being Kate McKinnon, or the barbs Ivy and Theo throw at one another, whether into British humor or the shock value of American humor, you’ll laugh.
  • Review: But, like all comedy, there is a beating heart behind the jokes and antics, and Colman and Cumberbatch do help you see the hurt and how both wish to find a way to reconcile.
  • Review: I would even say, in their depiction of marriage, it is a reminder of how much marriage isn’t for the meek or those with fragile egos.
  • Overall (83/100): But, while worth seeing, this adaptation of Warren Adler’s The War of the Roses isn’t the best version (see the Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner version). However, whether in theaters or its inevitable streaming release, this is something to check out.

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Amari is the founder and head writer of Wherever-I-Look.com and has been writing reviews since 2010, with a focus on dramas and comedies.