The Roses: A Modern Thistle in the Garden of Marital Comedy

As I sit here in 2026, reflecting on the cinematic year that was, one film blooms persistently in my memory, a dark, thorny flower amidst a field of brighter spectacles. It is The Roses, a film that dared to transplant the roots of a classic into the soil of our modern anxieties. Did it flourish? Or did it wilt under the harsh sun of expectation? The journey of Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman's warring couple, Theo and Ivy Rose, from the silver screen to the streaming realm is a tale not just of a film, but of how stories find their audience in an ever-shifting landscape.

A Garden of Stars, A Harvest of Mixed Fortunes

What is a film if not a gathering of souls before the lens? The Roses assembled a veritable bouquet of talent. Alongside the formidable pairing of Cumberbatch and Colman, the garden included the comedic energies of Andy Samberg and Kate McKinnon, the fresh charm of Ncuti Gatwa, and the seasoned presence of Allison Janney. Yet, for all its stellar pollination, the box office harvest was modest. With a budget of $30 million, it gathered $51.5 million, a sum that pales when held against the original The War of the Roses's $160 million bloom from a $26 million seed. Its theatrical debut in August 2025 saw it placed fifth, overshadowed by other offerings. Was the soil simply not right for this particular dark comedy? Or had the audience's taste for marital warfare evolved?

The critical reception was a garden of varied opinions. On Rotten Tomatoes, it settled at a 65% rating—respectable, yet distant from the 84% laurels still worn by the 1989 original, a film nominated for three Golden Globes. I remember reading the reviews, a chorus of voices some praising its sharp, modern wit and the lead performances, others finding it a less potent iteration of a proven formula. The original, directed by Danny DeVito and starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner, had carved its place in cinematic history. Could a remake, even one helmed by the capable Jay Roach—director of Meet the Parents and Trumbo—ever hope to match that legacy? Perhaps the question itself is the thistle in this garden.

The Heart of the Thorny Bush: Theo and Ivy

At its core, beyond the metrics and the comparisons, lies the story. And what a painfully relatable story it is. Theo and Ivy Rose appear to have cultivated the perfect life, a marriage of strength and beauty. But beneath the surface, the roots are entangled in resentment, the petals curling with unspoken grievances. Their union begins to crumble, not with a bang, but with the slow, inexorable decay of quiet disappointments and mounting pride. Watching Cumberbatch and Colman navigate this descent is like witnessing a masterclass in subtle devastation. Their comedy is not of broad slapstick, but of the excruciating, recognizable moments where love curdles into something darker, yet still familiar. Is there anything more tragic, or more darkly funny, than two people who know each other's hearts using that knowledge as a weapon?

The film's power, for me, resided in these intimate battles. It asked uncomfortable questions: When does compromise become capitulation? When does individuality suffocate unity? The Roses' war is fought in living rooms and over dinner tables, with words as the chosen artillery. It’s a reminder that the most brutal conflicts often have the most domestic settings.

A New Life on Streaming Vines

The theatrical run may have been a quiet affair, but a film's story is never truly over. On November 20, 2025, The Roses found a new home, blossoming on Hulu and the Hulu on Disney+ bundle. This, I believe, is where its second act began. Streaming has a curious way of granting films a prolonged autumn, allowing them to be discovered, debated, and embraced on personal screens away from the pressure of opening weekend numbers. In stark contrast, the original The War of the Roses exists in a digital limbo—not streaming, only available for purchase or rental. Isn't it poetic that the remake, in this specific way, has achieved a form of accessibility its predecessor lacks?

This streaming debut is an invitation to a new audience. Those who missed it in cinemas, or were wary of its divisive nature, can now judge for themselves in the comfort of their own homes. Will they find it a poignant update or an unnecessary retread? The beauty of the streaming garden is that there is room for all kinds of flowers, and The Roses, with its sharp thorns and bittersweet scent, certainly deserves a plot.

Final Thoughts: A Bloom Worth Considering

So, where does that leave us, here in 2026? The Roses stands as a fascinating cinematic specimen.

Its legacy is not one of unqualified triumph, but of nuanced conversation. It is a film about the fragility of foundations, starring two actors who build and demolish with exquisite skill. It may not have conquered the box office, but in the vast, enduring vineyard of streaming, it has been given a chance to ferment, to let its flavors deepen for those who seek it out. Perhaps that is its ultimate victory. Not a war won, but a delicate, complicated peace found with a new generation of viewers. I, for one, am glad it found its way to my screen, a prickly reminder of love's beautiful, dangerous terrain. After all, what is a garden without a few roses to remind us of both beauty and pain?