The 13 Roses

Theo is an ambitious architect whose outward confidence masks insecurity about his career and his role as a husband and father. He shifts from supportive partner to protective, resentful husband as their ambitions collide. The museum roof collapse becomes a crucible that forces him to confront his own identity and fairness in the marriage.

Ivy is a passionate chef who becomes the breadwinner after a career setback in Theo's shadow. She is fiercely ambitious yet loving, prone to self-doubt when her success is tested. Her drive to build a new life for the family often clashes with Theo's pride and vulnerability.

Janice is a pragmatic therapist who attempts to steer the couple through their rough patch. She observes, challenges their avoidance tactics, and pushes them to articulate their needs. Her perspective frames the therapy sessions that bookend the film.

Hattie is the couple's daughter, growing up amid her parents' struggles and serving as a barometer for the family's well-being. She witnesses the shifts in her parents' relationship and faces her own future with growing independence. Her perspective underscores the stakes of the couple's choices.

Roy is Theo and Ivy's son, a symbol of youthful potential pressed by parental conflict. He navigates the family crisis with a sense of resilience and hopes for a stable future.

Barry is a friend couple whose casual banter exposes the social dynamics that surround Theo and Ivy. He adds levity and later becomes entangled in the drama through his involvement with the divorce process.

Amy is Barry's partner, a sharp observer of the couple's dynamics who leans into humor and blunt commentary. Her presence heightens the social pressure and dark humor of the situation.

Sally is a food critic who inadvertently amplifies the couple's tensions when her review coincides with the couple's professional setbacks. She embodies the external judgment the couple can't escape.

Rory is a friend in the social circle whose remarks toward Theo and Ivy reveal the tension between appearance and reality. His interactions illuminate the couple's conflict under the gaze of friends.

Jane is Ivy's sous-chef who becomes entangled in a complicated relationship that adds tension within the restaurant and the couple's life. Her actions ripple through the professional and personal spheres.

Sylvia is a food critic who becomes central to Ivy's restaurant's fortune and to Theo's career narrative when her praise and scrutiny collide with the couple's struggles. She represents external judgment and industry consequences.