Dakota Johnson's latest thriller, Verity, has found its true home on streaming. After a month in theaters, the film—based on Colleen Hoover's bestselling novel—has rocketed to the top of premium video-on-demand charts, proving that audiences were waiting to watch it from their couches.
The movie, which also stars Anne Hathaway and Josh Hartnett, debuted at No. 1 on multiple PVOD platforms, dethroning Spider-Man: Brand New Day. This streaming success comes after a theatrical run that saw the film open in over 3,500 theaters but quickly lose screens, dropping to around 1,800 by its fifth week.
A Box Office Story of What Could Have Been
While Verity has become a streaming hit, its box office performance tells a different tale. The film has grossed $172 million worldwide against a modest $40 million budget—a solid profit, but far below the massive hauls of similar adaptations like It Ends with Us ($350 million) and The Housemaid ($400 million).
Colleen Hoover's literary adaptations have had a mixed track record at the box office. While It Ends with Us became a cultural phenomenon, other Hoover-inspired films like Regretting You and Reminders of Him each earned around $90 million globally. Verity has outperformed those, landing in the same ballpark as The Girl on the Train ($175 million) and Where the Crawdads Sing ($150 million).
Critical Reception vs. Audience Appeal
Despite its commercial success, Verity hasn't won over critics. The film currently holds a 31% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with the consensus calling it "more guilty than pleasurable." However, audiences seem to disagree, as the film's PVOD performance suggests strong word-of-mouth among thriller fans.
For those who enjoy a good psychological thriller, Verity joins a crowded field of recent releases. If you're looking for more options, check out our list of top Netflix original thrillers or explore why Jon Bernthal's Punisher series remains a fan favorite.
What's Next for the Stars
For Anne Hathaway, Verity caps off a banner year that included roles in The Odyssey and The Devil Wears Prada 2. Dakota Johnson, meanwhile, continues to build an eclectic resume. Fans of the thriller genre can also look forward to The Housemaid's Secret, the sequel to the 2025 hit starring Sydney Sweeney.
As Verity dominates streaming, it's clear that sometimes a film's true success is measured not by box office numbers but by how many people are watching at home. For more on the best thrillers to stream, check out our guide to classic action thrillers or dive into the best thriller novels since 2000.
