The Roses Movie Confirmed as a Dark Comedy Remake of a 1980s Classic

The 2025 film The Roses is a direct reimagining and remake of the 1989 dark comedy cult classic The War of the Roses. Both cinematic iterations draw their foundational narrative from the 1981 novel of the same name authored by Warren Adler. Directed by Jay Roach and featuring a screenplay by Tony McNamara, the 2025 version updates the visceral dissolution of a marriage for a modern audience, trading the opulent excess of the late eighties for the professional anxieties and domestic power shifts of the 21st century.

While remakes often struggle to justify their existence, The Roses attempts to carve out a new identity by focusing on the psychological erosion of its central couple rather than just the physical destruction of their property. Starring Academy Award winner Olivia Colman as Ivy Rose and Benedict Cumberbatch as Theo Rose, the film serves as a high-stakes exploration of how professional success and personal failure can turn a home into a literal and figurative war zone.

How Does the 2025 Film Connect to The War of the Roses?

The connection between the 2025 film and its predecessor is rooted in the shared DNA of Warren Adler’s source material. The original 1989 film, directed by Danny DeVito and starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner, became a benchmark for the "black comedy" genre. It depicted the Roses as a couple who, after years of material accumulation, found themselves unable to divide their assets—most notably their lavish mansion—leading to a mutually assured destruction.

In the 2025 remake, the core premise remains: a seemingly perfect marriage disintegrates into a series of increasingly cruel and violent skirmishes. However, the creative team has explicitly stated that this is a "reimagining" rather than a shot-for-shot recreation. Screenwriter Tony McNamara, known for his acerbic wit in projects like The Favourite, utilized the original novel and the 1989 film as "jumping-off points." The goal was to pay homage to the original's dark heart while injecting a contemporary sensibility regarding gender roles and career dynamics.

The 2025 version shifts the focus. While the 1989 film leaned heavily into the slapstick-adjacent violence of the couple's physical war, The Roses (2025) spends more time building the domestic resentment that leads to the final conflict. It asks why we do what we do to each other within the confines of marriage, making the eventual "war" feel like a tragic inevitability rather than just a comedic set piece.

Why The Roses Is Considered a Modern Reimagining

The term "reimagining" is used to distinguish this film from a traditional remake because it alters the fundamental motivations of the characters to fit a 2025 context. In the 1989 version, Oliver Rose’s obsession with his house and collections was a reflection of the Reagan-era obsession with wealth and status. In the 2025 remake, the conflict is driven by professional jealousy and the fragility of the male ego in the face of a spouse’s success.

The Shift in Career Dynamics

The plot of the 2025 film introduces a significant departure from the original. Theo Rose is an architect whose career suffers a catastrophic blow when a building he designed collapses during a storm. Simultaneously, Ivy Rose’s long-suppressed dreams of becoming a chef and restaurateur take flight. This role reversal—where the husband becomes the stay-at-home parent and the wife becomes the primary breadwinner—serves as the catalyst for the friction.

In our analysis of the film's structure, this change provides a much more grounded reason for the resentment. It is not just about who gets the house; it is about the loss of identity. Theo’s descent into petty sabotage and health-obsessed parenting is a direct response to his perceived obsolescence. This modern update allows the film to comment on contemporary discussions surrounding masculinity and professional worth, something the 1989 version touched on only tangentially through the lens of pure greed.

The Evolution of the Conflict

The escalation in the remake mirrors the original but utilizes modern technology. While the 1989 couple destroyed physical heirlooms and sawn-off shoe heels, the 2025 Roses weaponize their "smart home." The inclusion of automated systems and digital connectivity adds a layer of "Big Brother" paranoia to the domestic dispute. This isn't just a remake of a plot; it's a remake of the fear that your domestic sanctuary can be turned against you.

Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman: A New Kind of Chemistry

A remake lives or dies by its leads, especially when the original featured the legendary chemistry of Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. The 2025 casting of Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman signals a shift toward a more theatrical and intellectually biting tone.

Olivia Colman as Ivy Rose

Colman brings a specific brand of "polite desperation" to the role of Ivy. Unlike the more overtly aggressive Barbara Rose of the 1989 film, Colman’s Ivy starts as a woman who has genuinely tried to keep her family together at the cost of her own ambitions. When she finally snaps, the transition feels earned. In scenes where she mocks Theo’s architectural failure during a housewarming party, Colman balances cruelty with a palpable sense of relief that the facade has finally dropped. Her performance reminds viewers of her work in The Bear, but with a much darker, more satirical edge.

Benedict Cumberbatch as Theo Rose

Cumberbatch’s portrayal of Theo Rose is a masterclass in the "wounded intellectual." Theo is not a traditional villain, but his insecurity makes him dangerous. Cumberbatch excels at playing characters who believe they are the smartest person in the room, and seeing that trait applied to a failing architect and jealous husband is fascinating. His transformation from a supportive partner to a man who tricks his wife into an allergic reaction to force a signature on divorce papers is chilling because it is played with such earnest patheticness.

The chemistry between the two is less about sexual tension (which fueled the Douglas/Turner version) and more about a shared intellectual combat. They trade barbs like professional fencers, and their British sensibilities—despite the California setting—add a layer of dry, understated vitriol that distinguishes this remake from the Americanized original.

Comparing the Plot: 1989 vs. 2025

For those wondering how the story beats compare, the 2025 remake follows a similar trajectory but with distinct milestones that reflect its updated themes.

The Role of the House

In both films, the house is the third main character. In the 1989 version, the house was a museum of the couple's life together, filled with antiques. In the 2025 version, the house is a custom-built dream project, designed by Theo and funded by Ivy’s restaurant profits. This makes the house a physical manifestation of their imbalance: he built it, but she paid for it. The battle for the house in the remake is thus a battle for credit and legacy, which adds a more personal sting to their attempts to destroy it.

The Creative Vision of Jay Roach and Tony McNamara

Directing a remake of a cult classic requires a specific tonal balance. Jay Roach, known for comedies like Meet the Parents and political dramas like Game Change, was an interesting choice for this project. His experience in handling high-pressure domestic situations and political maneuvering translates well into the "politics of marriage."

However, it is the screenplay by Tony McNamara that truly defines the 2025 film. McNamara’s style is characterized by rapid-fire dialogue and a refusal to make his characters "likable" in the traditional sense. In our observation of the film's pacing, the first two-thirds are dedicated to a slow-burn buildup of resentment, which makes the explosive violence of the final act feel like a release of pressure.

McNamara’s decision to keep the title simple—The Roses—reflects a desire to focus on the people rather than the metaphorical "war." Yet, by removing the "War of the" prefix, some critics have argued that the film loses a bit of its punchy identity, leaning more toward a social drama than the black comedy the title suggests.

How the 2025 Ending Differs from the Original

One of the most discussed aspects of any remake is the ending. The 1989 film ended with one of the most iconic scenes in cinema history: Oliver and Barbara Rose plunging to their deaths as a massive chandelier falls, with Barbara making one final gesture of rejection even as they die.

The 2025 remake takes a more contemporary approach. The final confrontation involves a chase through the house that results in the destruction of a prized stove—a symbol of Ivy’s professional success. In a moment of exhaustion, the couple admits they still love each other, suggesting a potential for reconciliation. However, the tragedy is automated. A gas leak caused by the destruction of the stove, combined with Theo asking the "smart home" system to turn on the fire, leads to an explosion.

The screen cuts to white, leaving the audience to contemplate the irony of a couple who finally found a moment of truth just as their own environment—the house they fought over—destroyed them. This ending feels more accidental and perhaps more cynical than the 1989 version, suggesting that in the modern world, the systems we build to protect us are often the ones that facilitate our downfall.

What is the audience and critical reception for The Roses?

Since its release on August 29, 2025, The Roses has polarized both critics and audiences, a common fate for remakes of beloved classics.

Critical Consensus

On review aggregators like Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 64% approval rating. The general consensus is that while the performances of Colman and Cumberbatch are stellar, the film’s blend of satire and drama is occasionally "uneasy." Some critics felt that the film took too long to get to the "war," spending over an hour on the buildup.

However, many praised the modernization of the themes. The shift from a dispute over "stuff" to a dispute over "status" resonated with contemporary viewers who find the concept of a multi-million dollar mansion less relatable than the fear of a partner’s professional overshadowing.

Box Office Performance

Produced with a budget of approximately $30 million, the film grossed $52 million worldwide. While not a massive blockbuster, it performed respectably for a R-rated dark comedy released by Searchlight Pictures. Its success was largely driven by the international appeal of its lead actors and the enduring recognition of the War of the Roses brand.

Is The Roses Worth Watching if You've Seen the Original?

The question of whether this remake is necessary is subjective. If you are a fan of the 1989 film's slapstick violence and Danny DeVito's quirky direction, the 2025 version might feel a bit too grounded and talky. It lacks the "cartoonish" energy that made the original so unique.

However, if you enjoy psychological thrillers and sharp, dialogue-driven comedies, The Roses offers a fresh perspective. The performances by Cumberbatch and Colman are arguably more nuanced than their predecessors, providing a deeper look at the sadness underlying the rage. The film functions as a fascinating companion piece, showing how the same basic human flaws—ego, jealousy, and pride—manifest in different ways across different generations.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Roses Remake

Who stars in the 2025 remake of The War of the Roses?

The film stars Olivia Colman as Ivy Rose and Benedict Cumberbatch as Theo Rose. The supporting cast includes Andy Samberg as Barry, Kate McKinnon as Amy, Allison Janney as Eleanor, and Ncuti Gatwa as Jeffrey.

Is The Roses based on a book?

Yes, like the 1989 film, The Roses is based on the 1981 novel The War of the Roses by Warren Adler. The 2025 screenplay by Tony McNamara uses both the novel and the previous film as inspiration.

Where can I watch The Roses?

Following its theatrical release in August 2025, The Roses became available for digital purchase in October 2025 and is currently streaming on platforms like Apple TV and Disney+ (depending on your region and Searchlight's distribution agreements).

Why did they change the name from The War of the Roses to The Roses?

The change to The Roses signifies the film’s focus on the intimate, psychological relationship between the couple rather than just the outward "war." It also helps distinguish the modern reimagining from the 1989 version.

Does the 2025 version have the same ending as the 1989 version?

No. While both endings result in the destruction of the couple and their home, the 2025 version uses a gas leak and a smart home incident as the catalyst for the final explosion, rather than the chandelier fall seen in the original.

Conclusion

In summary, the movie The Roses (2025) is indeed a remake of the 1989 film The War of the Roses. While it preserves the central theme of a catastrophic marital breakdown, it successfully modernizes the story by replacing 1980s materialism with 2020s career anxiety and gender role reversals. The powerhouse performances of Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman, combined with the sharp writing of Tony McNamara, ensure that this reimagining stands on its own as a dark, relevant satire of modern love. Whether it surpasses the original is a matter of taste, but as a study of domestic warfare in the digital age, it is a compelling and viciously funny addition to the genre.