the roses film
Zoë

A Serious Failure in Representing Food Allergies: The Roses

An Open Letter on the Misrepresentation of Food Allergies

This below email/letter is directed to the production team, writers, directors, actors, and studio representatives involved in the 2025 movie The Roses.

If you feel compelled to speak up, you’re welcome to use or adapt this message and contact the individuals listed below using publicly available email addresses I have listed after the below.

Subject: Serious Concerns Regarding the Portrayal of Food Allergies

To the Production Team, Writers, Directors, and Studio Representatives of The Roses,

I am writing to formally express my deep concern regarding the portrayal of food allergies in The Roses. I am choosing to speak up because this film centers a major plot point that should never have progressed beyond the writers’ room without expert consultation, particularly from someone with lived experience of food allergies.

Food allergies are life-threatening medical conditions, not narrative devices for manipulation, dark humor, or shock value. The repeated depiction of a food-allergic character using the threat of exposure or death as a form of control within a toxic relationship is deeply troubling and profoundly inaccurate. No person living with a life-threatening food allergy would treat their fatal allergy lightly or weaponize it, because doing so puts their own life at risk. This is not funny, and it is not believable. It is dangerous to portray a life-threatening allergy as something that can be weaponized or used for manipulation within a relationship.

This raises a broader and important question: why weren’t medical experts, allergists, or individuals who live with food allergies consulted during development? Had anyone with lived experience been involved, this storyline would have been immediately flagged as irresponsible, unoriginal, and outdated.

Additionally, the film misrepresents basic medical facts, including the appearance and administration of epinephrine. These details matter. Epinephrine is the only treatment that can potentially reverse anaphylaxis, but it is not a guarantee of survival; many people who experience fatal reactions administer epinephrine correctly, sometimes multiple doses, and still die. Epinephrine is not delivered via a device that resembles what is shown in the film, nor is it administered in the arm, and inaccurate depictions reinforce dangerous misinformation with real-world consequences.

I am extremely disappointed that a film featuring respected actors and creatives moved forward with this narrative. I’m disgusted that no one involved flagged it as a bad idea. It is difficult not to question how this would have been received had those involved personally lived with food allergies, had a child with one, or lost someone to an allergic reaction. The harm here is not hypothetical. This is especially troubling given the involvement of well-known performers such as Benedict Cumberbatch, Olivia Colman, Andy Samberg, and Kate McKinnon. I would have hoped they knew better, and will be sending their representatives this same information and response.

I am asking that this portrayal be reevaluated internally, acknowledged publicly, and used as an opportunity to learn. At minimum, the food allergy community deserves recognition that this depiction was flawed and harmful, along with a commitment to do better in the future by consulting experts and people with lived experience.

Please confirm that this message has been received and shared with the appropriate parties involved in the film.


Zoë Slaughter
Advocate & Author

How To Take Action:

Olivia Colman’s Agency Contact

Olivia Colman is represented by United Agents in the UK. Public contact emails include:

Searchlight Pictures Press Contact (Official Studio Channel)

For The Roses itself, you can include the official press contact noted on Searchlight Pictures’ press site:

Benedict Cumberbatch

United Talent Agency (UTA) – One of his main agencies in Los Angeles. UTA’s general contact email is info@unitedtalent.com at the website www.unitedtalent.com. Information is listed on The Handbook.

Andy Samberg

Andy Samberg is also represented by United Talent Agency (UTA) at info@unitedtalent.com & He also works with managers at Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole in Los Angeles.

Kate McKinnon

A few years ago Kate moved to CAA and followed her agent Fred Hashagen there from Paradigm, his email is fh@kamesmgmt.com and the general CAA is info@caa.com and the more general at UTA is info@unitedtalent.com and his LinkedIn is: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredhashagen

Tony McNamara (Screenwriter)

  • Tony McNamara is represented by HLA Management in Australia and internationally, found via The Agency.
  • HLA Management typically lists agents such as Julia Kreitman in London and UTA contacts in Los Angeles for his U.S. representation at bhyde@theagency.co.uk and info@theagency.co.uk

The Power of Your Voice: Correcting Misrepresentation in Media

I have put this together as a personal effort to reach out to the creators and representatives of The Roses film, which was released in theaters and is now streaming on major platforms like Hulu and Disney+ as of November, 2025. Using the official channels listed above, I wanted to express how deeply harmful and inaccurate this portrayal of food allergies is.

My ask is simple but important: I urge them to acknowledge the mistakes made, reflect on the consequences for the food allergy community, and for them to all commit to doing better in future projects. While this film’s content is truly embarrassing in its misrepresentation, my goal is to remain professional and constructive, and I encourage others who choose to reach out to do the same. Using these official channels respectfully ensures that messages are routed through proper representatives who can deliver them appropriately. It seems this movie was based on The 1989 film, The War of the Roses, which did not focus on epinephrine, food allergies, or making fun of deadly medical conditions.

Why is the film The Roses offensive?

The movie The Roses is offensive because it treats a life-threatening medical condition as a joke or dramatic device, misrepresenting the real risks of food allergies and the daily toll managing food allergies takes. Portraying someone weaponizing their allergy for manipulation is not only unrealistic, it trivializes the very real danger of anaphylaxis, which can be fatal even with proper use of epinephrine. This kind of depiction spreads misinformation, reinforces harmful stereotypes, and can be upsetting or frightening to people who live with food allergies and their families.

Is The Roses considered a comedy?

Although The Roses is marketed as a comedy, its dark humor does not excuse the harmful misrepresentation of life-threatening food allergies. The film’s portrayal is offensive and dangerous to audiences worldwide— not just in the U.S.— as UK and other international viewers with food allergies or loved ones affected by them are equally impacted by the misinformation, unrealistic behavior depicted, and also just as upset as I am about this getting portrayed.

The Disney+ website describes it as: Ivy and Theo seem to have it all: a loving marriage, high-flying careers, and perfect kids. But once their comfortable status quo starts to shift, the fragile façade of domestic bliss begins crumbling. We’re left to witness the aftermath in The Roses. Two beloved British actors lead an ensemble cast as their idyllic family home transforms into a battleground. Yikes! 

The Roses follows married couple Ivy (Olivia Colman) and Theo Rose (Benedict Cumberbatch) as their harmonious life takes a tumble when Theo’s career begins to nosedive just as Ivy’s takes off. This turning of the tables becomes the catalyst for an increasingly intense domestic cold war. Written by Tony McNamara and directed by Jay Roach, the darkly-witty comedy paints a messy picture of modern relationships.

This new movie is actually a remake of The War of the Roses (1989), based on the novel of the same name by Warren Adler. If you’re newly-intrigued or already a fan, check out the special look on Disney+ to get a glimpse into this edgy romantic comedy.

We Can Change the Story

Reaching out when media misrepresents or offends isn’t just about venting—it matters because our feedback shapes the stories that reach the public. Silence often lets harmful stereotypes or inaccuracies persist, so speaking up can prevent them from being repeated. Emails and letters are small but powerful tools: they let creators know their work impacts real people, and can guide them toward more thoughtful, accurate representations in the future. Every message is a chance to change the story for the better.

Leave a Reply