Verity Film: UK Release Date, Cast and Reviews of the Colleen Hoover Adaptation

The big screen adaptation of Verity brings author Colleen Hoover back to cinemas with a high profile psychological thriller. Directed by Michael Showalter, the film pairs Oscar winner Anne Hathaway with Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett for a dark story of obsession, manuscript notes and hidden secrets.

This guide is completely spoiler free. It covers the premise strictly up to the official logline without revealing any twists, character fates or plot endings.

When is the Verity film released in UK cinemas?

The Verity film opens in UK and US cinemas on Friday 2 October 2026. Amazon MGM Studios is handling the distribution of the theatrical release. The movie was originally slated to arrive on 15 May 2026 before shifting to its October launch.

What is the Verity film about?

The Verity film follows struggling writer Lowen Ashleigh after she accepts a career making job offer. Hired under mysterious circumstances, Lowen must finish the remaining books of a successful series created by renowned author Verity Crawford. The assignment takes a dark turn when Lowen discovers chilling autobiographical notes that reveal disturbing secrets about the Crawford family.

Classified as an erotic psychological thriller, the film has an R rating in the US for graphic violence, sexual content and strong language.

Who is in the cast of the Verity film?

Anne Hathaway leads the cast as injured author Verity Crawford, while Dakota Johnson stars as struggling writer Lowen Ashleigh. Josh Hartnett plays Jeremy Crawford, the devoted husband who hires Lowen to complete his incapacitated wife's manuscript.

The main cast includes:

• Anne Hathaway as Verity Crawford

• Dakota Johnson as Lowen Ashleigh

• Josh Hartnett as Jeremy Crawford

• Ismael Cruz Córdova

• Brady Wagner

Behind the scenes, Michael Showalter directs from a screenplay written by Nick Antosca. Showalter previously directed Hathaway in The Idea of You. The film features an original score composed by Volker Bertelmann and cinematography by Jim Frohna. The production team includes producers Anne Hathaway, Colleen Hoover, Michael Showalter, Nick Antosca, Alex Hedlund, Stacey Sher and Jordana Mollick, with Dakota Johnson serving as executive producer.

Is the Verity film based on a book?

The Verity film is an adaptation of Colleen Hoover's self published 2018 novel of the same name. Grand Central Publishing acquired the publishing rights in 2021, helping the book transform into a massive international best seller. The film is a fictional adaptation of Hoover's book and is not based on real events.

How long is the Verity film?

The Verity film has a reported runtime of about 115 minutes. Specific industry listings vary slightly, with publications reporting lengths of 114 minutes and 117 minutes. Moviegoers should verify exact screening lengths directly with their local cinema.

What do critics say about the Verity film?

As of 1 October 2026, critics have given the Verity film largely unimpressed early reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, the movie opened below the fresh threshold with scores in the mid 40s.

Critical feedback highlights a clear split between the lead performances and the overall story execution:

• Screen Daily described the feature as "a knowingly trashy thriller" that struggles to lift a flimsy adaptation.

• The Hollywood Reporter titled its review a "dumb mystery."

• Variety dismissed the project as a "limp thriller," writing that director Michael Showalter shows no feel for the erotic thriller genre.

• Deadline delivered a lukewarm verdict, noting that Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson make the material watchable.

• Screen Rant offered praise, awarding the film an 8 out of 10 score and calling it the "best Colleen Hoover adaptation yet".

Mainstream reviews praise Hathaway and Johnson for delivering strong performances. However, common criticisms focus on flawed plot logic and an inconsistent overall tone.

How is Verity different from other Colleen Hoover adaptations?

The Verity film marks the fourth feature movie adapted from a Colleen Hoover novel. Previous Hoover projects like It Ends With Us (2024) focused on romantic melodrama and emotional heartbreak. According to Screen Daily, Verity departs from those standard tearjerkers by delivering a dark narrative centered on murder, mystery and adultery.

Where can you watch the Verity film?

You can watch the Verity film exclusively in cinemas starting 2 October 2026. Amazon MGM Studios has not confirmed any streaming release dates or digital platform availability as of 1 October 2026. Viewers wanting to see the adaptation must catch it on the big screen during its theatrical run.