10 Movies Like The Roses You Must See

Directed by Jay Roach, ‘The Roses’ is the story of the turbulent marriage between architect Theo Rose (Benedict Cumberbatch) and chef Ivy Rose (Olivia Colman). Their relationship begins with an instant, intimate connection after a chance meeting in England. A decade later, the couple appears to be living a perfect life in California, raising a son and a daughter. However, their peaceful existence is shattered by an unexpected event that causes drastic professional shifts. Ivy, having long sidelined her culinary career, opens a new restaurant, while Theo struggles in his profession.

This period sees an inexplicable and escalating animosity develop between the two. Their marriage reaches dangerously close to destruction, fueled by ego and insecurity in the black comedy film based on the novel ‘The War of the Roses’ by Warren Adler. These films, similar to ‘The Roses,’ contain complex relationships, misunderstandings, and deep philosophical conundrums that will keep you curious and engaged.

10. Blue Jasmine (2013)

‘Blue Jasmine’ is the tale of Jasmine (Cate Blanchett), a deeply troubled and broke former New York socialite, who moves to San Francisco to live with her estranged sister Ginger (Sally Hawkins). Overwhelmed by her dark, privileged past and haunting memories, Jasmine’s narcissistic tendencies and deceptions emerge, negatively affecting those around her. The relationship between the sisters gets more complicated after Jasmine takes up a job at a dentist’s office and starts to meddle in her siblings’ love lives. Directed by Woody Allen, the black comedy-drama film shares similarities with ‘The Roses’ due to its chaotic portrayal of familial bonds, while also utilizing humor to convey deeper themes on ego and resentment.

9. Closer (2004)

Based on the eponymous play by Patrick Marber, ‘Closer’ is a romantic drama film that follows the lives of four unique characters. In London, struggling writer Dan Woolf (Jude Law) falls in love with Alice Ayres (Natalie Portman) after a chance encounter. A year later, he pursues photographer Anna Cameron (Julia Roberts), but she rejects him. Unusually, he introduces Anna to Larry Gray (Clive Owen), and they begin a relationship. Another year passes, and Dan and Anna begin an affair, causing chaos among all four individuals involved in this complex scenario. Directed by Mike Nichols, the narrative, akin to ‘The Roses,’ navigates relationships in crisis, while also dealing with gender dynamics in the modern era through the experiences of the characters.

8. Under the Tuscan Sun (2003)

‘Under the Tuscan Sun,’ directed by Audrey Wells, follows Frances Mayes (Diane Lane), a professor whose life is suddenly devastated by divorce. Emotionally shattered and financially unstable, she accepts a vacation offer to Tuscany from her best friend, Patti (Sandra Oh). While there, Frances makes the impulsive and shocking decision to purchase an old house, hoping to find personal redemption and a renewed purpose in life. Based on Frances Mayes’s eponymous memoir, the romantic comedy-drama film tells a tale of second chances, the meaning of life, and marital complications, reminiscent of ‘The Roses’ and its layered take on human bonds.

7. The War of the Roses (1989)

In ‘The War of the Roses,’ a lawyer named Oliver Rose (Michael Douglas) and his wife, Barbara Rose (Kathleen Turner), decide to divorce after being married for seventeen years. Their loving relationship turns into a vicious battle over possessions, specifically their enormous mansion. Neither is willing to leave without securing an advantage, leading to a chaotic battle between the husband and the wife. Their divorce lawyer, Gavin D’Amato, witnesses how far they will go to force the other out. Directed by Danny DeVito, the satirical black comedy film, like ‘The Roses,’ is based on the same eponymous novel by Warren Adler. The characters, stories, and visual tones of the films establish a strong connection.

6. Materialists (2025)

Directed by Celine Song, ‘The Materialists’ chronicles the journey of Lucy Mason (Dakota Johnson), who works for a matchmaking firm in New York City. While maintaining that she will always be single, she starts an unexpected romance with a rich man named Harry Castillo (Pedro Pascal). However, when her former lover, John Pitts (Chris Evans), returns to her life, she must question her concept of love and loyalty. Dealing with her own insecurities, she must choose between the two men, who both seem to genuinely love her. On the lines of ‘The Roses,’ the romantic-comedy film is a nuanced take on love and relationships in the modern world. The egos, values, and personalities of the main characters in the stories complement each other.

5. Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)

In ‘Kramer vs. Kramer,’ advertisement executive Ted Kramer’s (Dustin Hoffman) wife, Joanna Kramer (Meryl Streep), leaves him and their young son, Billy (Justin Henry), on the same day he wins his biggest account. Forced to become a single father, Ted suddenly develops a strong bond with his son. When Joanna returns seeking custody, the disinterested father adjusts to housekeeping and childcare. But his refusal to give Billy up leads to a custody fight that takes a toll on all the parties involved. Based on Avery Corman’s novel of the same name, the legal drama film directed by Robert Benton is a reflection on marital realities. Like ‘The Roses,’ gender dynamics, and the relationships between parents and kids play a significant role in the narrative, which also navigates the difficulties of separation in the modern world.

4. A Separation (2011)

‘A Separation’ or ‘Jodaeiye Nader az Simin’ is an Iranian drama film that revolves around the lives of a married couple, Simin (Leila Hatami) and Nader (Payman Maadi), on the verge of a breakup. The wife, Simin, wants to move abroad for their daughter Termeh’s (Sarina Farhadi) future, but the husband, Nader, refuses to leave Iran as he has to care for his father with Alzheimer’s. This disagreement leads Simin to seek a divorce so she can leave the country with her kid, despite the decision being a tough one. Directed by Asghar Farhadi, the narrative delves into the intrigues of the husband-wife relationship, just like ‘The Roses.’ Despite the tonal differences in the films, they explore similar issues of ego, gender roles, and the element of sacrifice in a relationship.

3. Blue Valentine (2010)

‘Blue Valentine’ chronicles the experiences of young couple Dean (Ryan Gosling) and Cindy Pereira (Michelle Williams), whose challenging backgrounds and lifestyles put a strain on their marriage. Their relationship with their daughter Frankie is complex due to their own insecurities. The emotional presence of Bobby Ontario, a former partner of Cindy’s, leads to more problems. To gain perspective on the future of their marriage, they decide to take an overnight trip without their daughter. As the couple moves forward with the plan, they are challenged by resentments, egos, and unresolved issues that somehow reach a boiling point, threatening to tear them apart. The romantic drama film, directed by Derek Cianfrance, resembles ‘The Roses’ due to its portrayal of emotional distance in a marriage, the complexities of separation, and the motivations of the main characters.

2. Revolutionary Road (2008)

Based on the eponymous novel by Richard Yates, ‘Revolutionary Road,’ directed by Sam Mendes, is a haunting tale of marriage between Frank Wheeler (Leonardo DiCaprio) and April Wheeler (Kate Winslet). Despite their genuine romantic relationship, they find it difficult to adjust to the realities of marriage in the 1950s in Connecticut. The presence of their children complicates the bond between them. As Frank grows tired of his job and April feels guilt over giving up on her acting career, they consider moving to Paris to start their lives again. But, in ways similar to the ‘The Roses,’ their egos, personalities, and regrets fuel chaos, threatening to break their bond. The romantic drama film bears a resemblance to the Olivia Colman starrer, as it also deals with misunderstandings and unexpected relationship dynamics.

1. Marriage Story (2019)

Netflix’s ‘Marriage Story’ explores the complicated marital relationship between a theatre director named Charlie Barber (Adam Driver) and Nicole Barber (Scarlett Johansson), an actress. After raising their son, Henry (Azhy Robertson) and reaching different points in their careers, they find themselves at a crossroads. When their relationship no longer has the spark to keep it going, they decide to apply for a divorce. With Charlie working in New York City and Nicole pursuing acting in LA, their planned separation goes through emotional difficulties, revelations, and unexpected conversations. Helmed by Noah Baumbach, the drama film resembles ‘The Roses’ due to its vivid depiction of marriage in the modern age, opposing interests, the process of separation, the chaotic relationship between the main characters, and the importance of communication in a relationship.