Anne Hathaway's psychological thriller Verity is making its way to digital platforms sooner than expected. After a theatrical run that lasted just a few weeks, the film will be available for purchase on premium video-on-demand starting October 27. This quick pivot to home viewing comes after the movie's box office momentum slowed considerably, with theaters dropping it from over 1,000 screens in its second weekend.
Based on Colleen Hoover's bestselling novel, Verity was positioned as the next big literary adaptation, following in the footsteps of hits like It Ends with Us and The Housemaid, which grossed $350 million and $400 million worldwide, respectively. Hoover's previous adaptations, Regretting You and Reminders of Him, each earned around $90 million globally, setting high expectations for this latest project.
The film also boasted a star-studded cast, arguably the most high-profile ensemble ever assembled for a Hoover adaptation. Hathaway, fresh off the success of The Odyssey and The Devil Wears Prada 2, leads the film alongside Dakota Johnson, who returned to box office form with last year's Materialists. Josh Hartnett, currently starring in the Netflix hit Below, rounds out the trio. Despite these credentials, Verity didn't quite capture the audience's imagination as anticipated.
Directed by Michael Showalter, Verity has grossed approximately $150 million worldwide against a reported budget of $40 million. While that's a solid return on investment, it falls short of the massive numbers achieved by other literary thrillers like The Girl on the Train and Gone Girl. The film currently holds a 31% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics noting that it leans more toward "guilty" than "pleasurable" due to plot twists that feel more deflating than intriguing.
The story centers on Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer hired to complete the novels of Verity Crawford, a bestselling author left incapacitated by an accident. As Lowen works at the Crawford estate, she uncovers disturbing truths about Verity, leading to a tense and unsettling atmosphere. The film's premise had all the makings of a gripping thriller, but execution left some viewers wanting more.
For those who missed it in theaters, the digital release offers a chance to see what all the buzz was about. Verity will be available on Prime Video and other digital platforms starting October 27. It joins a busy week of home releases, including Ridley Scott's sci-fi The Dog Stars and DreamWorks Animation's Forgotten Island.
While Verity may not have been the box office juggernaut some predicted, its digital debut could find a new audience. The film's quick transition to home viewing is reminiscent of other recent releases that struggled to maintain theatrical momentum, such as the 1,100 theater drop that signaled its fading run. Still, with a star like Hathaway and a source material with a devoted fanbase, Verity might just find its stride in the streaming world.
For fans of psychological thrillers, Verity offers a compelling, if flawed, adaptation. If you're in the mood for something darker, you might also check out Josh Hartnett's gothic thriller or explore the best thriller trilogies for more suspenseful viewing. Stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot for more updates on Verity and other upcoming releases.
