Andy Samberg reveals that Benedict Cumberbatch’s rapid, crystal-clear Sherlock delivery influenced his work and appears in The Roses itself. The new film stars Cumberbatch and Olivia Coleman as a married couple whose bitter divorce spirals into chaos as neither is willing to leave their home. Co-starring Andy Samberg and Kate McKinnon, The Roses is described as a twisted divorce story.
Directed by Jay Roach, the film is a reimagining of the 1989 film The War of the Roses and an adaptation of the 1981 novel by Warren Adler. The ensemble cast also includes Allison Janney, Ncuti Gatwa, Zoë Chao, Jamie Demetriou, and Sunita Mani.
In an interview with Screen Rant, Samberg revealed that he frequently drew inspiration from Cumberbatch’s rapid-fire monologues when playing Detective Jake Peralta on Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Samberg explained how “Cumberbatching” originated from his admiration of Cumberbatch’s performance on Sherlock, and teased that viewers can expect a few “Cumberbatching” in The Roses. Read his comments below:
Andy Samberg: I mean, Cumberbatching originated for me from watching Sherlock. When Sherlock would suddenly unlock a case and it would start going super fast, but you can hear every word and it’s just exquisite. He has a couple of runs like that in this movie. It’s kind of his signature, I believe. But yeah, that was something I would do on Brooklyn when my character was in the middle of a big solve, I would tell everyone to stand back. I was going to be Cumberbatching.
Kate McKinnon: I can’t do that. I can only speak slowly and with great care.
What This Means For The Roses
Cumberbatch’s quick-fire delivery adds an exciting rhythm to The Roses without overwhelming the comedy. His ability to deliver fast-paced monologues while keeping every word clear makes it perfect for scenes where tension and humor collide, which will surely happen frequently in this chaos-filled divorce comedy.
Viewers can expect scenes where he races through dialogue as Colman, Samberg, and McKinnon react in their own styles. This dynamic encourages multilayered blocking and overlapping jokes, as one performer races, while others puncture or redirect, allowing the film to juggle the narrative pace and character-specific comedy.
By weaving this into The Roses, the filmmakers seem to be turning the dialogue into a performance showcase, using speed and timing as aids to the punchline. This ensures that Cumberbatch’s “Cumberbatching” is used as more than just a reference to his iconic Sherlock performance, but becomes a core comedic engine driving The Roses’ chaotic energy.
Our Take On “Cumberbatching”
“Cumberbatching” works like a burst of energy that can instantly lift a scene. Because the actor speaks so quickly yet clearly, the dialogue can pack in exposition, jokes, and twists without losing the audience. In this Cumberbatch movie, this skill is a huge ᴀsset. Instead of slowing down for heavy dialogue, the film can turn it into a high-speed performance that’s both funny and disarming.
When paired with McKinnon’s slower, more deliberate delivery, Colman’s sharp timing, and Samberg’s playful, fast-yet-relaxed rhythm, the result is a chemistry that makes every scene feel alive. Great ensemble comedies thrive on timing, and Cumberbatch brings a built-in precision that can be played against the others for maximum laughs.
