Psychological thriller “Verity,” starring Dakota Johnson, explores the difficulty of discerning truth and trust. Based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, the film centers on struggling writer Lowen Ashleigh, who is asked to finish events for renowned author Verity Crawford after an accident leaves her unable to write. While at the Crawford family’s estate, Lowen discovers what seems to be Verity’s manuscript, revealing unsettling secrets that blur the lines between truth and deception.
Johnson described the film as thrilling and sexy, highlighting the challenge of figuring out who to trust in a story filled with moral ambiguity. This adaptation adds to the cinematic interpretations of Hoover’s works, following “It Ends With Us.” Directed by Michael Showalter, the film features Anne Hathaway as Verity and Josh Hartnett as her husband, Jeremy. Showalter was drawn to the alluring yet scary world Hoover created, while Hartnett appreciated the film’s complexity and its invitation for audiences to debate character morality.
Hartnett expressed admiration for Hathaway and Johnson’s performances, which he believes are central to the film’s impact. Johnson relished her dark role, expressing interest in playing villains. Showalter noted that Hoover was actively involved in the process, even making a cameo. The film, which explores erotic themes, aims to engage audiences with challenging ideas. “Verity” is set to premiere globally on September 30.
With information from Reuters
