Director Jay Roach has explained the evolution of The Roses‘ ending in an exclusive interview. The Roses premiered on August 29 and has quickly drawn attention for its sharp wit and stylized performances. Directed by Roach and written by Tony McNamara, the satirical black comedy stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman as a couple locked in a spiraling domestic war.

The Roses also stars Andy Samberg, Ncuti Gatwa, and Kate McKinnon in supporting roles, and is loosely based on the 1981 novel The War of the Roses by Warren Adler, serving as a remake of the subsequent 1989 film. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, it is The Roses’ explosive finale that has become one of its most talked-about elements.

Speaking to ScreenRant‘s Liam Crowley on the red carpet, director Roach discussed how the third act actually evolved during production. Roach noted that the original version of The Roses’ final act was “much more physical,” but as filming progressed, the focus shifted to dialogue-driven scenes that highlighted the strength of McNamara’s script. Check out Roach’s full explanation below:

We worked on that third act quite a bit, and some of it evolved because originally it was much more physical. We were kind of intimidated by the original film, but the more we worked on it, the more we realized it’s really Tony McNamara’s dialogue that was the superpower of the movie. So we started building scenes where they’re fighting while having witty banter. So the fruit fight and the shooting and the bathroom standoff. It’s all like, it’s trying to be kind of a, who’s afraid of Virginia Woolf while it’s also a fruit fight. So that evolved through the course of the shooting.

Roach described how the new scenes emphasized character interactions, crediting Cumberbatch and Colman for elevating the dialogue, alongside McNamara’s script. Roach pointed out that, even though McNamara is Australian, he understands British wit more than him. The director also added that he’s always been “envious” of the various English actors he’s worked with, as “they’re all way wittier than [him].”

What Jay Roach’s Comments Mean For The Roses’ Ending

The ending of The Roses, while uproariously funny, is more than just comedic spectacle, and Roach’s comments confirm that the chaos is a carefully tuned extension of character and tone. What might look like improvised madness is actually the result of reworking and refining, pivoting from physical slapstick to intellectual sparring, mirroring the film’s deeper theme of emotional warfare.

The new approach also helps 2025’s The Roses stand apart from the original source material and any predecessors in the genre. By leaning into McNamara’s script and embracing the performances of its British leads, the film evolves beyond parody into highbrow comedy with an edge. As a result, the ending of The Roses becomes much more meaningful beyond the humor.

Our Take On Jay Roach’s Explanation Of The Roses’ Ending

Roach’s insight into The Roses‘ ending reinforces what makes the film a bit of a standout: it’s not just about who can shout louder or throw harder, it’s about who can deliver the best insult while doing it. The evolution of the third act from physical chaos to verbal warfare speaks volumes about the film’s intelligence and style.

If the film’s finale feels like a fruit fight staged by Oscar winners, that’s because it kind of is, and it’s all the better for it. With a director unafraid to adapt on the fly and a script that cuts sharper than most, The Roses is a great entry in the “relationship-implosion” genre, which attempts to do something different.