Recent film releases showcase a diverse range of genres, from a dark comedy reimagining a classic to a gritty crime thriller and a superhero reboot. Director Jay Roach's “The Roses,” penned by Tony McNamara, offers a fresh take on the themes explored in Danny DeVito’s 1989 dark comedy “The War of the Roses.” This new film, described as less belligerent but equally biting, delves into the acrimony that can develop in matrimony, particularly when power dynamics shift between spouses. Starring Olivia Colman as Ivy and Benedict Cumberbatch as Theo Rose, the movie follows a seemingly well-matched couple whose relationship devolves into attempts to kill each other by the end, set against the backdrop of their custom-built home.

McNamara's script for “The Roses” opens in couple’s therapy, where the British duo engages in sharp, mutually deprecating humor, despite their therapist's horror. The film aims to portray an insatiable sex life between Ivy and Theo, highlighted by a steamy meet-cute in a restaurant freezer. However, some critics note a missing spark in the chemistry between Colman and Cumberbatch, especially when compared to the scorching passion of Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas in the original