Film tip: The Roses, starring Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch, is a sharp comedy about marriage, rivalry and ambition. In cinemas 28 August 2025.

Film tip: The Roses takes love and rivalry to comic extremes

Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch go head-to-head in a biting black comedy about love, ambition and domestic chaos. A modern remake of The War of the Roses, this sharp satire proves that even the most perfect couple can turn toxic when pride and power collide.

 

Film details

  • Premiere date: 28 August 2025
  • Director: Jay Roach
  • Runtime: 115 min
  • Cast: Olivia Colman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Kate McKinnon, Andy Samberg
  • Genre: Black comedy, drama
  • Theatres: Kino, LantarenVenster, Cinerama

 

What’s the vibe?

Expect a glossy yet venomous screwball showdown: fine dining meets flying plates, romantic charm morphs into slapstick chaos, and elegant interiors become battlegrounds. Beneath the sharp humour lies a surprisingly raw look at ambition, envy and resentment.

 

Trailer

Check out the trailer below.

 

 

Why you might like it

  • đź‘€ Eyes: Slick production design, lavish sets that slowly descend into comic wreckage.
  • ❤️ Heart: Colman and Cumberbatch’s chemistry simmers between affection and fury.
  • đź§  Mind: Raises the question—what happens when love and career ambitions collide?

 

Critical reception

While official scores are pending, early festival whispers praise Colman’s razor-sharp delivery and Cumberbatch’s descent into comic madness. Critics highlight Jay Roach’s ability to balance slapstick timing with darker undertones.

 

Scene to watch for

A seemingly civil dinner party spirals into utter carnage—wine, egos and crockery collide in deliciously absurd fashion.

 

Recommended pairing

A plate of overly fancy appetisers followed by something messy you have to eat with your hands. For afters, maybe a round of competitive board games with friends—you’ll see domestic rivalry in a whole new light.

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