In this episode, we use John Gottman’s The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work as a lens to analyze the classic film War of the Roses. Gottman’s seven principles—ranging from nurturing fondness and admiration to turning toward each other during conflict—offer a framework for understanding why some marriages thrive while others implode.

We break down how the Roses’ marriage deviates from each principle, leading to their bitter and ultimately destructive divorce. From the absence of positive interactions to their toxic communication and escalating contempt, the Roses embody what happens when Gottman’s warning signs, like the “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” (criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling), are left unchecked.

By pairing Gottman’s research-based insights with the dramatic unraveling of the Roses’ relationship, we uncover the deeper dynamics of conflict, connection, and what couples can learn to avoid the same fate. Join us as we dissect this cautionary tale and reveal how Gottman’s principles could have changed the Roses’ story.