Olivia Colman shines in dark comedy ‘The Roses’ along with Benedict Cumberbatch

Olivia Colman anchors ‘The Roses’ with wit and depth in a dark comedy that turns a perfect marriage into a comedic war

Olivia Colman delivers one of her most compelling performances to date in The Roses, a biting dark comedy reimagining of The War of the Roses. Set to hit theatres on August 29, the film charts the unravelling relationship of Ivy Rose, a renowned chef played by Colman, and her husband Theo, an architect portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch.

The story unfolds with Ivy’s career soaring and Theo’s collapsing, stealing the balance of their seemingly perfect marriage. Underneath the polished surface of family life, resentment and rivalry silently brew until the relationship erupts into a bitter, chaotic battle.

Colman’s portrayal brings extraordinary nuance to Ivy. She rejects romanticized visions of love, opting instead to examine marriage through its everyday absurdities. She notes that real relationships are built on unglamorous routines,” one of you will be dog-tired and doing the bins.” It’s her grounded insight and ability to soften havoc with laughter that makes Ivy both relatable and unforgettable.

Offscreen, Colman and Cumberbatch shared a vibrant chemistry that fuelled the film’s twisted humour. The pair described leaning on each other during filming, holding hands and diving into scenes with shared enthusiasm that helped keep the tone both sharp and warm.

A recently released blooper reel captures the duo at their most playful, reminding audiences that behind the marital warfare lies a joyful camaraderie. In one clip, Ivy fires a gun at Theo in character, only for the actor to reset a prop with comic flourish, reinforcing the fine line between chaos and comedy that the film walks so deftly.

With a top-tier ensemble that includes Andy Samberg, Kate McKinnon, Ncuti Gatwa, and Allison Janney, The Roses promises a smart and savage look at how love can devolve when ambition and ego collide. Yet through it all, it remains anchored by Olivia Colman’s command of both humour and heartbreak, making this chaotic comedy feel deeply honest.