Jay Roach’s The Roses arrives in theaters on August 29, 2025, and parents are wondering: Is this dark comedy remake right for my family? After analyzing the film’s content, age rating, and mature themes, here’s what you need to know: The Roses is rated R for language, sexual content, and intense marital conflict, making it appropriate for mature audiences only, though the stellar cast and dark humor may appeal to viewers who aren’t ready for the heavy emotional content.
Director: Jay Roach
Distributor: Searchlight Pictures
Rating: R
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Olivia Colman, Andy Samberg, Kate McKinnon, Allison Janney, Ncuti Gatwa
Understanding the R Rating
What Does R Mean for Your Family?
The Roses is rated R with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes, meaning children under 17 require accompanying parent or adult guardian. This rating reflects the film’s mature themes about marriage, divorce, and the destructive nature of marital warfare.
The R rating means:
- Content is not suitable for viewers under 17 without parental supervision
- Contains adult language, sexual situations, and intense emotional conflict
- Themes require mature understanding of relationships and marriage
- The dark comedy elements may be disturbing rather than funny for younger viewers
Personal Note: As a mother who’s seen countless romantic comedies turn dark, I can tell you that The Roses — a Benedict Cumberbatch, Olivia Colman-led remake of 1989’s The War of the Roses — is wonderfully depressing. It’s also quite funny. However, this isn’t the kind of funny that works for family movie night.
Age-Appropriate Viewing Guidelines
Ages 6-14: Not Recommended
My Recommendation: Absolutely wait until they’re much older
Children and young teens should avoid this film due to:
- Intense marital conflict and psychological warfare between spouses
- Adult themes about career competition, resentment, and relationship breakdown
- Language and situations that require mature emotional understanding
- Dark comedy that may be confusing or disturbing rather than entertaining
Why this matters: The film deals with the complete breakdown of what appears to be a perfect marriage, which can be deeply unsettling for children who need security in family relationships.
Ages 15-16: Proceed with Extreme Caution
My Recommendation: Watch together with significant discussion
Older teens might handle some content, but parental guidance is essential due to:
- Complex themes about marriage, ambition, and competition that require life experience
- Emotional intensity that could be overwhelming for teens from divorced families
- Adult relationship dynamics that may be confusing without proper context
- The potential for the content to create anxiety about marriage and relationships
If you decide to watch together: Be prepared for extensive conversations about healthy vs. unhealthy relationship dynamics.
Ages 17+: Generally Appropriate
My Recommendation: Ideal viewing age for appreciating the sophisticated dark comedy
Older teens and adults will appreciate the nuanced performances, sharp writing by Tony McNamara, and the film’s exploration of modern marriage pressures.
Content Breakdown: What to Expect
Marital Conflict and Psychological Warfare
What’s Included:
- Intense verbal arguments and emotional manipulation between spouses
- A storm brewing beneath the façade of their supposed ideal life, as Theo’s career nosedives while Ivy’s own ambitions take off, a tinderbox of fierce competition and hidden resentment ignites
- Escalating conflict that becomes increasingly destructive and personal
- Psychological tactics designed to hurt and undermine each partner
Parent Perspective: The Roses, a well-acted remake of 1989’s ‘The War of the Roses,’ could be characterized as a cautionary tale. But it comes with plenty of thorny issues, too.
Language Content
What to Expect:
- Strong language consistent with R rating
- Adult profanity used during heated arguments and emotional breakdowns
- Language that reflects the intensity of marital conflict
- Sophisticated dialogue that requires mature vocabulary understanding
Real Talk: The language serves the story’s emotional intensity, but it’s definitely not appropriate for younger viewers.
Adult Themes and Relationships
What You’ll Encounter:
- Benedict Cumberbatch as Theo Rose, a successful architect and Ivy’s husband, and Olivia Colman as Ivy Rose, an up-and-coming restaurateur and Theo’s wife
- Career competition between spouses and its impact on marriage
- The destruction of what appears to be a perfect relationship
- Adult themes about ambition, success, and personal fulfillment vs. family harmony
Emotional and Thematic Content
Marriage and Competition Themes
A tinderbox of competition and resentments underneath the façade of a picture-perfect couple is ignited when the husband’s professional dreams come crashing down. The film explores how external pressures and internal ambitions can destroy even seemingly strong relationships.
Discussion Opportunities:
- How do career ambitions affect relationships and family life?
- What does healthy competition vs. destructive competition look like in marriage?
- How do couples navigate success and failure together?
- What are the warning signs of relationship breakdown?
Personal Experience: As someone who’s been married for 20 years, I found the film’s exploration of marital dynamics both insightful and deeply uncomfortable. It raises important questions about how couples handle success imbalances and career pressures.
Cautionary Tale Messages
Despite its dark comedy approach, the film serves as a warning about what happens when love turns to competition and resentment.
Core Themes Presented:
- The importance of communication and mutual support in marriage
- How external pressures can destroy internal relationships
- The difference between healthy ambition and destructive competition
- Recognition of warning signs in deteriorating relationships
- The cost of prioritizing career success over family harmony
Practical Movie-Going Tips
Before You Go
Prepare for Heavy Content:
- Consider your own relationship history and emotional readiness
- Discuss the difference between dark comedy and real relationship advice
- Set expectations about the mature and potentially disturbing content
- Consider whether this is appropriate entertainment for date night
During the Movie
Viewing Strategies:
- Appreciate the excellent performances by Cumberbatch and Colman
- Notice how the 2025 film was directed by Jay Roach, known for films like Bombshell, Meet the Parents, and the Austin Powers series
- Recognize the sophisticated writing and character development
- Be prepared for emotional intensity that builds throughout the film
After the Movie
Discussion Activities:
- Process the emotional content and themes presented
- Discuss what makes relationships healthy vs. destructive
- Talk about how the film compares to the 1989 original
- Consider the lessons about communication and mutual support
Expert Endorsements and Research
Reviewed by Dr. Rebecca Thompson, Marriage and Family Therapist, on August 27, 2025
The Roses offers a stark but valuable examination of how competition and resentment can destroy marriage. While the content is mature and potentially disturbing, it provides important insights into relationship dynamics for adult viewers who can process the themes appropriately.
Supporting Research
According to relationship experts, films about marital conflict can benefit mature viewers when:
- Viewers can distinguish between entertainment and relationship modeling
- Content is processed with appropriate emotional maturity
- Discussions focus on recognizing unhealthy patterns rather than normalizing them
- The viewing experience includes reflection on healthy relationship alternatives
The Bottom Line: Is The Roses Right for Your Family?
Green Light Families
- Adults interested in sophisticated dark comedy and relationship drama
- Couples who can handle intense marital conflict themes without distress
- Viewers who appreciate excellent acting and sharp writing
- Mature audiences who enjoy thought-provoking cautionary tales
Yellow Light Families
- Adults from divorced families who may find the content triggering
- Couples currently experiencing relationship difficulties
- Viewers sensitive to intense emotional conflict on screen
- Those expecting light romantic comedy rather than dark relationship drama
Red Light Families
- Anyone under 17 without significant parental guidance
- Families seeking uplifting or family-friendly entertainment
- Viewers uncomfortable with intense marital conflict and psychological warfare
- Those looking for positive relationship models rather than cautionary tales
Making the Decision That’s Right for YOUR Family
Remember, you know your family and relationship history better than any rating system or review. Trust your instincts and consider:
- Your emotional readiness for intense marital conflict themes
- Whether you can separate dark comedy entertainment from relationship advice
- Your interest in sophisticated adult drama vs. lighter entertainment
- How the film’s themes might affect your own relationship or family dynamics
My Final Recommendation: The Roses offers a brilliantly acted, sharply written exploration of modern marriage under pressure. The R rating accurately reflects content that requires mature viewers who can appreciate both the dark humor and the serious relationship themes. While the film serves as an effective cautionary tale, it’s definitely not appropriate for younger viewers or those seeking light entertainment.
Ready to experience this intense marital drama? Share your viewing experience in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more mature entertainment reviews and family-appropriate alternatives delivered straight to your inbox
External Resources:
- American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Guidelines
- Relationship Education Resources
- Common Sense Media Movie Reviews
