Kristina Roberts
Sometimes, a single movie can spark big debates—not only among audiences but even between the stars who act in it. That’s exactly what happened with The Roses, a new dark comedy film starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Olivia Colman, and Allison Janney. The movie, which looks at love, marriage, and careers, has already become a talking point because of the very different ways its leading actors see it. While Benedict Cumberbatch feels it is an ideal film for couples to watch on a date night, Allison Janney strongly disagrees.
Benedict Cumberbatch is no stranger to fans across the globe. Known for playing Sherlock Holmes and Marvel’s Doctor Strange, he has always chosen roles that challenge him as an actor. His newest role in The Roses is no different. This time, he plays Theo, a man who sees his life fall apart as his wife’s career begins to soar. Theo is an architect whose proud project, a naval history museum, gets destroyed in a storm. While he struggles with failure, his wife Ivy, played by the brilliant Olivia Colman, enjoys great success after opening her own restaurant. This sharp difference in fortune creates cracks in their marriage, which slowly turns into something painful, complicated, and even funny in unexpected ways.
The story, though deeply emotional, is also satirical. It pokes fun at modern relationships while showing how fragile love can become when pride and jealousy enter the picture. Based on the book by Warren Adler, the film is also a fresh take on the 1989 movie The War of the Roses. Directed by Jay Roach, the movie brings together an impressive cast that includes not only Cumberbatch, Colman, and Janney but also Andy Samberg, Kate McKinnon, Belinda Bromilow, Sunita Mani, Ncuti Gatwa, and Jamie Demetriou. With such a line-up, it is no surprise that people are excited to watch it.
But what makes the film even more interesting is the clash of opinions between the actors themselves. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Benedict Cumberbatch shared why he feels The Roses works beautifully as a date night movie. He explained, “You either go, ‘Oh, it’s never going to be that bad.’ Or you get to laugh at it vicariously, or think, ‘Oh, that that hit home,’ and have a talk about it and make sure it doesn’t go the way it goes for The Roses.” For him, watching the film as a couple means you get to laugh, reflect, and even strengthen your own bond by discussing what you see on screen.
Cumberbatch also added, “At the heart of it, it’s about two people who, more than in the previous film, love each other to the very end; they just lose sight of that. That’s a very horrible juncture in their relationship where it starts going very south. I’m very bad at taglines, but… ‘All is fair when love is war.’” His words capture the essence of the film, where love and conflict are tied together in ways that are both heartbreaking and relatable.
Allison Janney, however, had a completely different take. When asked about Benedict’s “date night” comment, she laughed and said, “I wouldn’t say it’s a date [movie]. It’s a really satirical look at modern-day relationships. When careers fail or start up, and how it can jump around, and how you weather that as a couple, is something every couple needs to know how to do. It’s not easy, but if you can do it, it’s worth it.”
Her point of view highlights the serious themes in the film. To her, The Roses is not lighthearted couple entertainment but a bold, sharp look at the difficulties partners face in today’s world. Balancing love with ambition, and personal happiness with professional success, is not easy. And the movie captures that struggle in a way that is sometimes uncomfortable but very real.
This difference of opinion between Cumberbatch and Janney might itself reflect what the movie wants to show—that relationships are full of different perspectives, and no two people will ever see them in the exact same way. For some, watching a couple fall apart on screen could be a warning and an opportunity to strengthen their own relationship. For others, it might feel too heavy or too sharp to be considered romantic at all.
What makes The Roses stand out is its honesty. It does not try to sugarcoat marriage or love. Instead, it portrays how pride, professional jealousy, and unmet expectations can eat away at the bond two people share. Yet, at the same time, there is humor in their fights, awkwardness in their arguments, and absurdity in the way their relationship crumbles. That mix of pain and comedy is what makes it a dark comedy rather than just a sad story.
The casting of Olivia Colman as Ivy is also worth noting. Known for her powerful performances in shows like The Crown, Colman brings warmth and strength to the role of a woman finding her own identity in her career. Her rise as a chef is not only about professional success but also about self-discovery. Against her, Cumberbatch’s Theo feels insecure, frustrated, and left behind. Their dynamic keeps the audience hooked, because at its heart, the story is not just about success or failure—it is about two people trying, and failing, to hold on to their love.
At the same time, Allison Janney’s role adds another layer of sharp humor and realism. Known for her ability to play strong and witty characters, she provides the film with moments that make audiences reflect while laughing. The rest of the supporting cast adds flavor, ensuring the movie does not feel too dark or too heavy at any point.
In the end, whether The Roses is a perfect date night movie or not may depend on who is watching it. Couples looking for something light and romantic might not find it here. But those who enjoy films that spark deep conversations, laughter mixed with discomfort, and reflections about love and life, may actually find it just what they need.
As Cumberbatch said, “All is fair when love is war.” And perhaps that’s what makes The Roses both entertaining and thought-provoking. It’s not just about romance or comedy—it is about the messy, unpredictable nature of relationships. Maybe that’s exactly why it deserves to be watched, whether on a date night or not.
