Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman are going to war—and not the historical kind. Searchlight just dropped the first trailer for The Roses, and social media’s already eating it up. The film follows a power couple whose picture-perfect marriage unravels into absolute chaos, and yes, it’s as messy (and funny) as it sounds. With a script by Tony McNamara (The Favourite, Poor Things) and a stacked cast, this one’s shaping up to be a must-watch when it hits theaters August 29.
A British Twist on a Brutal Classic
If The Roses rings a bell, you’re not imagining it. This is a modern, very British remix of The War of the Roses, the 1989 divorce-from-hell comedy starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. But this time, it’s Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman throwing wine glasses and jabs—with a lot more deadpan humor and a slightly softer landing (maybe).
Here, the roles are flipped: Theo (Cumberbatch) is a once-celebrated architect losing steam, while Ivy (Colman) is thriving—and kind of done with pretending otherwise. The tension starts with side-eyes and awkward silences, then snowballs into full-blown emotional warfare. Think therapy-speak weaponized, fancy kitchens destroyed, and at least one live crab situation.
Tonally, it’s not quite as mean as the original, but that seems intentional. Early viewers are calling it “lighter but still hilariously petty,” which honestly fits with the Cumberbatch-Colman combo. They’re both masters of playing dignified people coming unhinged in the most delicious ways.
Colman’s return to comedy is already a highlight—fans are loving the callback to her Peep Show roots. And Cumberbatch? People forget he’s genuinely funny (Four Lions stans, rise up). Together, they’re giving us a fresh, sardonic spin on a classic mess—and it just might work.
Will This Be the Year’s Smartest Comedy?
It’s early, but The Roses might already be in the running for 2025’s sharpest comedy. The script comes from Tony McNamara, whose track record includes The Favourite and Poor Things—aka, the king of chaotic characters saying terrible things in perfect sentences. Now throw in Jay Roach (who somehow directed both Meet the Parents and Bombshell) and you’ve got a team that knows how to balance bite with polish.
And the cast? Absolutely stacked. Beyond Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman, the film features Andy Samberg, Allison Janney, Kate McKinnon, Ncuti Gatwa, Jamie Demetriou, Zoë Chao, and Sunita Mani. It’s like a dream ensemble of funny, chaotic energy. Reddit and film Twitter are already obsessing over the potential for weird side characters and one-liners that live rent-free in your head.
Some fans are wondering whether it can live up to the twisted brilliance of the 1989 original—but others are all in on this new vibe. It’s less venomous, sure, but that doesn’t mean it’s pulling punches. Judging by the trailer, the film walks a fine line between uncomfortable laughter and full-blown cringe in the best possible way.
Also, shoutout to whoever made the call to let everyone keep their British accents. It somehow makes the emotional warfare feel even pettier—in a good way.
Final Notes
So, is The Roses going to reinvent the divorce comedy? Maybe. At the very least, it’s offering something different: a smart, stylish throwdown that doesn’t take itself too seriously but still cuts deep when it wants to.
Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman clearly understood the assignment. And if the early buzz is any indication, this could be one of those late-summer sleepers that hits harder than anyone expects. It’s weird, it’s sharp, and it looks like a blast.
Mark your calendar for August 29. And maybe don’t watch this one with your ex.
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