#REVIEW: “VERITY”

By Mr. Will Wong

Colleen Hoover continues a winning streak in film adaptations beginning with the massive success that is IT ENDS WITH US. Director Michael Showalter (The Eyes of Tammy Faye) takes the reins here on her global bestseller, VERITY. If you are looking for something dark. twisty and fully enthralling, this is just what you need.

This Psychological Thriller centers on Lowen (Dakota Johnson) who in her own right is an accomplished Writer. She’s NDA‘d on an ask to ghost-write for celebrated Novelist Verity Crawford (Anne Hathaway) after the latter is incapacitated after an injury, which her husband Jeremy (Josh Hartnett) and publisher wish to keep under wraps. Tasked with completing three novels as Verity Crawford, she takes-up the offer to move-in with him, Verity and their surviving son Crew (Brady Wagner). As she begins to soak-in the inspiration needed to complete her assignment, Lowen begins to discover some horrifying dark secrets that Verity held, making her question what is real and what is not.

While it’s not without its share of implausibility, Showalter does a great job sweeping us into Lowen‘s world where we find ourselves losing track of time. And trust me, we aren’t ready for the crazy twists we’re about to go on.  Johnson is pitch-perfect here as our eyes into this dark, sordid tale that looks at the costs of keeping love alive. She’s typically understated and it works well against Hathaway‘s flips between stillness and ferocity between present and past. Hartnett also makes a welcome return here as a husband we trust. This is a tale of obsession that feels dangerous and addictive for all involved, including us.

Truly a fun time, which Hoover‘s fans will relish in. Amazon MGM Studios Canada release VERITY in theatres October 2, 2026.