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Comedy

The Roses (2025): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

The Roses (2025) movie poster

The Roses is a 2025 comedy directed by Jay Roach, starring Olivia Colman as Ivy Rose, Benedict Cumberbatch and Hala Finley. It is based on The War of the Roses by Warren Adler. It runs 1 hour 45 minutes and earned $52 million worldwide on a $35 million budget. Critics gave it 58 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10.

IMDb rating
6.6/10
worldwide gross
$52M
Echo Score
70
Metascore
58
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The Roses (2025) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 45m (105 min)
Director
Jay Roach
Genre
Comedy
Original language
English
Budget
$35M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Roses About?

The premise of The Roses without spoilers, adapted from The War of the Roses by Warren Adler. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Life seems easy for picture‑perfect couple Ivy (Olivia Colman) and Theo (Benedict Cumberbatch): thriving careers, a loving marriage and great kids. Yet beneath the façade, a storm brews—Theo’s career plummets while Ivy’s ambitions surge, sparking fierce competition and simmering resentment that threatens to unravel their seemingly ideal life.

The Roses Themes & Keywords

· 8 tags
  • singing in a car
  • dark comedy
  • satire comedy
  • screwball comedy
  • tragedy drama
  • domestic drama
  • architect
  • remake
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Cast & crew

The Roses Cast & Characters

Olivia Colman leads the cast as Ivy Rose, with Benedict Cumberbatch as Theo Rose and Hala Finley as Hattie Rose (Older). Directed by Jay Roach; 20 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Roses

· 16 more
From the director

More from Jay Roach

More films directed by Jay Roach, best-rated first: Meet the Parents, Trumbo, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me and Austin Powers in Goldmember.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Roses Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Roses 58 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 70/100, strongest in character & emotion (78) and weakest in art & craft (58).

70 /100

The Roses Echo Score Breakdown

The Roses presents a darkly comic marriage drama that leans more toward entertainment than coherence. Critics consistently commend the magnetic leads and the film's occasional moments of sharp humor, while noting that uneven direction and tonal jitter undermine narrative stability. The visual presentation offers a glossy, almost suburban sheen that both attracts and distances viewers. Overall, the picture succeeds in delivering laughs and chemistry but falls short of a fully cohesive experience, positioning it as a moderately positive entry in the genre.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 58

    In terms of direction and visual craftsmanship, The Roses displays a glossy aesthetic that some reviewers find appealing, yet the overall tonal handling feels erratic. The director's broad approach leads to a sense of over‑extension, causing occasional dissonance between comedic beats and dramatic moments. Production design contributes a polished surface, but the execution lacks the subtlety needed for a consistent tonal balance, resulting in a mixed artistic impression.

  • Character & Emotion 78

    When it comes to character work, the film excels through the performances of its two leads. Critics highlight their chemistry and the nuanced way they navigate both antagonism and affection, bringing depth to an otherwise farcical premise. The actors’ timing elevates the dialogue, making the couple’s volatile relationship feel believable. While a few reviewers note a weakened conclusion, the overall portrayal of the protagonists remains a strong point.

  • Story & Flow 62

    The story of The Roses is marked by a premise that oscillates between dark humor and emotional sincerity. Reviewers appreciate the ambitious attempt to blend tragedy and comedy, yet many point to uneven pacing and a finale that undercuts earlier development. Tonal shifts sometimes feel forced, leading to a sense of narrative inconsistency. Consequently, the plot delivers moments of engagement but struggles to maintain a cohesive through‑line.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    Sensory elements of The Roses exhibit a high‑gloss visual style that creates an almost suburban sheen, aligning with the film’s comedic tone. The careful framing and color palette contribute to a polished look, though some critics argue that this sheen creates a disconnect from the underlying tragicomic reality. Sound design and musical cues support the comic beats without overpowering the dialogue, resulting in a generally pleasant but occasionally detached sensory experience.

  • Rewatch Factor 73

    Rewatch potential for The Roses is bolstered by its strong lead performances and the audience‑friendly comedic rhythm. Critics suggest the film works well in a communal setting, encouraging repeated viewings for its witty interplay and occasional surprise twists. While tonal irregularities may diminish long‑term appeal for some, the overall charm and humor provide sufficient incentive for viewers to return, especially in a group context.

Plot

The Roses Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in The Roses from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

One afternoon in London, architect Theo Rose, Benedict Cumberbatch, meets aspiring chef Ivy Rose, Olivia Colman. She shares her dream of moving to America to start her own restaurant, and he proposes that he move with her, setting up a lifetime together built on shared ambition and a willingness to take risks for love.

Full summary

The whole story of The Roses, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

The Roses Box Office & Budget

The Roses grossed $52 million worldwide on a $35 million budget, 1.5 times what it cost. $15.3 million came from the US and Canada and $36.7 million (71%) from the rest of the world.

2025 box office

Worldwide gross

$52M

1.5× its budget

US & Canada
$15.3M
International
$36.7M
Budget
$35M
US & Canada 29% Rest of the world 71%
Videos

The Roses Trailers & Videos

66 videos: 1 trailer, 23 teasers, 8 clips, 33 featurettes and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

All 66 videos
Official Trailer
  • Teaser Photoshoot
  • Teaser In Theaters August 29
  • Teaser One Month
  • Teaser Bachelor in Paradise
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Roses?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

To which California town do Theo and Ivy move after leaving London?

Seen The Roses?

FAQ

The Roses FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of The Roses, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Roses?

The Roses runs 1 hour 45 minutes (105 minutes).

When was The Roses released?

The Roses was released on August 29, 2025.

Who directed The Roses?

The Roses was directed by Jay Roach.

More films by Jay Roach

Who is in the cast of The Roses?

The Roses stars Olivia Colman as Ivy Rose, Benedict Cumberbatch as Theo Rose and Hala Finley as Hattie Rose (Older), among 20 credited actors.

How much did The Roses make at the box office?

The Roses grossed $52 million worldwide ($15.3 million domestic, $36.7 million international) on a budget of $35 million.

How is The Roses rated?

The Roses has 6.6/10 on IMDb and 58 on Metacritic.

Is The Roses based on a book?

Yes. The Roses is adapted from The War of the Roses by Warren Adler.

Does The Roses have a post-credit scene?

No. The Roses has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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