Colleen Hoover's literary empire has grown at a staggering pace, especially after BookTok catapulted her into the stratosphere of bestselling authors. By 2022, she was outselling even the most prolific names in the business, and her 2018 psychological thriller Verity stands out as a dark, twisted departure from her usual romance fare. Now, the film adaptation has arrived, starring Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, and Josh Hartnett, and while it brings the novel's core story to life, it does so with a timidity that leaves you wanting more.
The plot follows Lowen Ashleigh (Johnson), a struggling writer who lands a lucrative gig: finishing the bestselling book series of the incapacitated author Verity Crawford (Hathaway). After a car accident leaves Verity bedridden and unable to communicate, her husband Jeremy (Hartnett) hires Lowen to ghostwrite the next installment. But when Lowen discovers a hidden manuscript in Verity's office, she uncovers disturbing confessions that blur the line between fiction and reality, forcing her to question everything she thought she knew about the Crawfords.
Director Michael Showalter, known for his work on The Dropout, and screenwriter Nick Antosca, who penned Cape Fear, seem like the perfect pair to bring this twisted tale to the screen. And indeed, the film is a faithful adaptation, hitting all the major beats of Hoover's novel. The most notable change is the reduction of the Crawford children from three to two, a simplification that doesn't hurt the story and actually keeps the focus tighter on the adult drama.
Where Verity stumbles is in its hesitancy to fully embrace the darkness and sensuality that made the book so compelling. The R rating is barely utilized, with only fleeting moments of the erotic tension and visceral horror that the material begs for. One standout sequence, where Lowen's fantasy of kissing Jeremy morphs into a bloody, nightmarish encounter with Verity, is a perfect example of what the film could have been—bold, unsettling, and unforgettable. But such moments are rare, and the film often retreats to safer, more conventional territory.
Fortunately, the cast elevates the material. Hathaway is mesmerizing as the enigmatic Verity, delivering voiceover narration that adds a layer of intrigue to Lowen's discoveries. Johnson brings a relatable vulnerability to Lowen, making her descent into paranoia believable. And Hartnett, as the charming yet ambiguous Jeremy, keeps you guessing about his true motives. Their performances are the film's saving grace, even when the script doesn't give them enough to sink their teeth into.
For fans of the book, Verity will likely satisfy the desire to see the story on screen. But for those hoping for a film that pushes boundaries and takes risks, it may feel like a missed opportunity. It's a solid adaptation, but one that plays it too safe, leaving you to wonder what could have been if it had embraced its darker instincts.
If you're in the mood for more literary adaptations that take bold swings, check out our list of beloved books that deserve the faithful adaptation treatment. And for more on Anne Hathaway's career, see our ranking of her collaborations with Christopher Nolan.
