Brief
Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson lead psych‑sexual thriller Verity
The film pairs Hathaway with Johnson in a dark adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel, blending thriller tropes with erotic tension.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson headline the Sony Pictures release Verity, a psych‑sexual thriller based on Colleen Hoover’s novel. The Independent reports that Hathaway, who also produced the film, discovered the script was far from the romantic comedy she expected, describing it as "deliciously deranged" and reminiscent of 1990s erotic thrillers.
Hathaway plays bestselling author Verity Crawford, who is incapacitated after an accident, while Johnson portrays struggling writer Lowen Ashleigh, hired to finish Verity’s latest book. The story unfolds as Lowen moves into Verity’s home, blurring personal boundaries and uncovering unsettling notes about Verity’s past.
Director Michael Showalter, known for comedy projects like Wet Hot American Summer, said the film is intended as a love letter to mid‑size studio thrillers, citing influences such as Fatal Attraction and Body Heat. He also referenced classic erotic thrillers like Jagged Edge as inspiration.
Hathaway, who is heavily pregnant during the press tour, said the adaptation needed to match the novel’s sensuality, adding, "We had to make the film as sexy as the book." The film also features a spontaneous on‑set kiss between Hathaway and Johnson that emerged from improvisation.
Key facts
- Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson star in the film Verity. (independent.co.uk)
- Verity is a psych‑sexual thriller adaptation of a Colleen Hoover novel. (independent.co.uk)
- Director Michael Showalter cites 1990s erotic thrillers as influences. (independent.co.uk)
- Hathaway is also a producer and is heavily pregnant during promotion. (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “Inside Verity: ‘Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson were like, what if we kissed?’”
