Netflix has quietly released one of the most savage and surprisingly emotional comedies of 2025 with The Roses, a razor-sharp dark comedy-drama that dissects the disintegration of a seemingly perfect marriage with unflinching honesty and biting humor. Directed by Jay Roach (Meet the Parents, Bombshell) and written by Tony McNamara (The Favourite, Poor Things), the film stars Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch as Ivy and Theo Rose, a high-achieving couple whose picture-perfect life unravels in spectacular fashion when ambition, resentment, and betrayal collide.

The story centers on Ivy (Colman), a driven tech entrepreneur, and Theo (Cumberbatch), a celebrated surgeon, whose marriage appears flawless from the outside—beautiful home, successful careers, loving children. But beneath the surface, years of unspoken competition, neglect, and quiet contempt have built to a breaking point. When a career opportunity threatens to upend their carefully balanced life, the couple embarks on a vicious, laugh-out-loud battle of wills that escalates from passive-aggressive jabs to outright psychological warfare. What begins as a marital spat spirals into a darkly hilarious, sometimes horrifying look at how love can curdle into something toxic.

Colman is phenomenal as Ivy — sharp, wounded, and terrifyingly relatable — delivering a performance that balances vulnerability with ruthless cunning. Cumberbatch matches her step-for-step as Theo, his polished exterior cracking to reveal a man consumed by ego and insecurity. Their chemistry crackles with authenticity, making every insult sting and every rare moment of tenderness feel earned. The supporting cast is equally strong: Allison Janney as Ivy’s no-nonsense mother, John Early as Theo’s smug colleague, and a scene-stealing turn from Ayo Edebiri as the couple’s sharp-witted therapist.

Roach’s direction is precise and stylish, using elegant visuals to contrast the ugliness of the couple’s behavior. The script is packed with McNamara’s trademark razor wit — lines that make you laugh out loud even as you cringe at the cruelty. The film never glorifies the destruction; instead, it forces viewers to confront how ordinary resentments can escalate into something monstrous.

Critics have praised its bravery: 89% on Rotten Tomatoes, with Variety calling it “a savage, sophisticated dissection of modern marriage” and The Hollywood Reporter noting “Colman and Cumberbatch are devastatingly good together.” Viewers have been equally moved: “Laughed so hard I cried, then cried because it was too real” (@MovieLover, 80k likes).

The Roses isn’t just a comedy — it’s a mirror held up to relationships that look perfect but are quietly dying inside. It’s uncomfortable, hilarious, and deeply human.

Stream on Netflix now — but be warned: you might never look at your own marriage the same way again.

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