Review of ‘The Roses’: A Lackluster Remake Missing the Sharp Edge of the Original

The 2025 film ‘The Roses,’ starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman, is a remake of the 1989 dark comedy ‘The War of the Roses.’ The original film, directed by Danny DeVito, was acclaimed for its sharp wit and a unique narrative framework that cleverly combined financial tactics with the one-sided destruction of a marriage. However, this new adaptation, directed by Jay Roach and written by Tony McNamara, fails to capture that biting edge and opts instead for a more conventional approach, which lessens its impact. The story revolves around a couple whose seemingly happy marriage deteriorates into bitter conflict, driven largely by their obsession with material wealth. While Cumberbatch and Colman deliver strong performances—Cumberbatch playing a sulky architect and Colman as a talented but underused chef—the film lacks the clever narrative and bold risks of the original. This results in a film that, despite its talented cast, feels hesitant and misses the dark humor and anti-Hollywood conclusion that defined its predecessor. The remake focuses on the characters’ struggles and failed relationship but does so without the original’s sharp satire. Despite these criticisms, the film retains some emotional depth but ultimately falls short of the original’s critical edge.