A first look at Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch‘s new movie The Roses has been unveiled.

A remake of the 1989 dark comedy The War of the Roses — which was based on Warren Adler’s 1981 novel of the same name — the upcoming film stars Colman and Cumberbatch as picture-perfect couple Ivy and Theo, who appear to have an idyllic life.

However, when Theo’s career suddenly nosedives and Ivy’s takes off, a “tinderbox of fierce competition and resentment ignites”.

Some first-look photos from the movie have now been released, featuring Colman and Cumberbatch’s characters looking loved-up as they embrace on a beach and stare adoringly at each other on a plane — clearly before the resentment starts to simmer.

A third photo shows Colman posing alongside fellow cast members Ncuti Gatwa and Sunita Mani, whose characters appear to work in a café together.

benedict cumberbatch, olivia colman, the roses

Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures

olivia colman, benedict cumberbatch, the roses

Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures

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The film’s ensemble also includes Brooklyn Nine-Nine‘s Andy Samberg and Stath Lets Flats‘ Jamie Demetriou, alongside Allison Janney, Kate McKinnon, Zoë Chao and Belinda Bromilow.

It was recently confirmed that The Roses will hit UK cinemas on 1 September, following its release in the US on 29 August.

Discussing the film during a new interview with Vanity Fair, Colman shared: “I love that you can see the journey of two people who adore each other and slowly, slowly, bit by bit start to try and tear each other apart.”

sunita mani, olivia colman, ncuti gatwa, the roses

Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures

Related: Why Olivia Colman found Paddington 3’s musical sequence “really hard”

“The film is a parable of two people who loved each other intensely, then ended up hating each other intensely and missing the middle ground,” added Cumberbatch.

“Much of it is shockingly recognisable: how we struggle to show love toward the people we love the most, and how this can all go wrong very quickly if we’re not careful about nurturing and nourishing the relationships at the centre of our families.”

The Roses releases in US cinemas on 29 August. In the UK, the film will be out on 1 September.

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Freelance Reporter, Digital Spy After completing her joint honours degree in Journalism and English Literature at Cardiff University, Iona joined Digital Spy as a Content Production Intern in 2022. In that role, Iona wrote across both news and features, specialising in TV and movies. Following her internship, Iona now contributes to DS as a freelance reporter. 

 Iona has reported from the Black Adam red carpet, and interviewed celebrities ranging from Love Island stars to the cast of Disney’s live-action The Little Mermaid.