Released on Oct. 2, 2026, “Verity” explores themes of suspicion, trust and deception in relationships. The psychological thriller was directed by Michael Showalter and is based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, published in 2018. The novel gained popularity on TikTok, particularly through the book-related community known as “BookTok.” It became a New York Times bestseller, generating widespread anticipation for the film’s release.

Buzz especially built around the starring actresses Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson got fans excited for the film. Prior to the its release, Hathaway and Johnson posted promotional TikTok videos, including one notable short-form video featuring Hathaway referencing the Minecraft horror mod “Verity,” while others highlighted moments between Hathaway and co-star Johnson during the film’s press tour. Both actresses are world renowned and have established fan bases, which helped generate publicity for the film and attract audiences to theaters.

The screenplay by Nick Antosca brought the novel to life with haunting visuals, minimalist settings, shocking jump scares and an ultimately eerie atmosphere. For fans of Hoover’s novel, the film portrays the plot, characters and themes in a captivating way, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. The scenes are slow and intentional, with visuals playing a larger role in the storytelling than dialogue. The music by Volker Bertelmann features haunting violin melodies that enhance the unsettling atmosphere and heighten suspense throughout the film.

The film follows protagonist Lowen Ashleigh, played by Johnson, who is hired to ghostwrite for best-selling author Verity Crawford, played by Hathaway, after she becomes catatonic following a near-fatal car accident. When Ashleigh moves into the Crawford home, she sets out to finish Verity Crawford’s final three books in her hit horror novel series, “The Noble Virtues.” To do so, she must go through Verity Crawford’s writings and notes to better understand her writing style. While reviewing her work, Ashleigh discovers Verity Crawford’s autobiography, which reveals disturbing details about her marriage to Jeremy Crawford, played by Josh Hartnett. The movie cuts to scenes highlighting moments from the Crawfords’ past as Ashleigh reads the autobiography. As she uncovers more through Verity Crawford’s narrative, Ashleigh begins questioning how much she truly knows about the family.

The story explores themes of deception and betrayal within Verity Crawford’s marriage to Jeremy Crawford as the truth behind the seemingly perfect couple gradually comes to light. As Ashleigh uncovers increasingly disturbing details about Verity Crawford’s past and family, she starts to doubt the circumstances surrounding the Crawfords’ lives. Meanwhile, Ashleigh and Jeremy Crawford develop a complicated relationship, further adding to the tension within the household.

Set in the Crawfords’ home in an isolated location, the film features an unwelcoming, desolate interior that makes the luxurious house appear nearly unlived in. The home feels both lavish and confining for Ashleigh, who has little freedom to leave until her writing assignment is finished. With Verity Crawford lying catatonic in one of the guest rooms, Ashleigh becomes increasingly fearful of her as the plot progresses. She eventually begins questioning whether Verity Crawford is actually catatonic, becoming increasingly suspicious of her behavior and adding to the mysterious tension within the household.

The film’s ending leaves the storyline open to interpretation, blurring the line between reality and fiction, leaving viewers to question the reliability of the three main characters’ perspectives. The conflicting accounts of the events surrounding Verity Crawford’s family make it difficult to determine what is true and what is merely speculation. The film features graphic scenes, unexpected plot twists and suspenseful moments that keep viewers engaged throughout. Through Verity Crawford’s writing, the film offers insight into her mind and explores the complexities of motherhood, love, betrayal and the lengths people go to protect their secrets.

Rating: 4/5