The romantic thriller Verity, starring Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, and Josh Hartnett, opens in Ukrainian cinemas on October 1, 2026, following its world premiere in London.
Adapted from the bestselling novel by American author Colleen Hoover, the picture has drawn polarized reactions from early audiences, earning a rating of 5 out of 10 points in a review published by Ukrainian news agency UNIAN.
The narrative centers on Lowen Ashleigh, a modest writer whose previous books achieved limited commercial success. Her financial fortunes change when she receives an offer to complete the remaining volumes of a popular book series created by Verity Crawford, a celebrated author left paralyzed following a mysterious accident.
To carry out the project, Lowen relocates to the remote home shared by Verity and her attractive husband, Jeremy Crawford. Residing under the same roof brings Lowen into close proximity with Jeremy, leading to an intense relationship that blurs the boundaries between truth and fiction.
Cast and character performances
The principal ensemble of Verity represents the strongest element of the feature film. Academy Award winner Anne Hathaway portrays the enigmatic Verity Crawford, an iconic figure revered by millions who conceals dark secrets. Hathaway won her Oscar for Les Misérables and has built a prominent career starring in major feature films including Interstellar, The Devil Wears Prada, The Princess Diaries, The Odyssey, and End of Oak Street.
Dakota Johnson plays Lowen Ashleigh, depicting an unsuccessful writer struggling between forbidden desires and her moral conscience. Johnson previously starred in the Fifty Shades of Grey film franchise, as well as feature projects such as Madame Web and Materialists.
Josh Hartnett takes the role of Jeremy Crawford, delivering a performance that positions the character as an attractive romantic figure. Hartnett, known for his work in Pearl Harbor, Wrath of Man, Trap, and Flight Risk, demonstrates his continued appeal in major dramatic roles.
Creative team and book adaptation
The film is based on the popular book of the same name by American bestselling author Colleen Hoover. While earlier cinematic adaptations of Hoover's work, including It Ends with Us, Regretting You, and Reminders of Him, focused on romantic drama and emotional hardship, Verity marks a departure into darker and more sinister storytelling territory.
The screenplay was adapted by American writer Nicholas Antosca, whose television writing credits include the psychological thriller series Hannibal, Brand New Cherry Flavor, and Cape Fear.
Direction was handled by American filmmaker Michael Showalter. Showalter previously directed the 2021 biographical drama The Eyes of Tammy Faye, which received two Academy Awards in 2022 for Best Actress, awarded to Jessica Chastain, and Best Makeup and Hairstyling. Showalter also directed the 2024 romantic comedy The Idea of You, which starred Anne Hathaway.
Critical reception and audience reaction
Following its global premiere in London on September 24, 2026, initial reviews for Verity have proven sharply divided among viewers and film commentators.
Enthusiastic viewers described the production as an ideal autumn film, praising its attractive cast, stylish presentation, and engaging atmospheric tone that invites discussion among friends after viewing.
Conversely, critical reviewers expressed disappointment with the script, commenting that watching the feature felt like listening to a poorly written romance novel or fan fiction read out loud. Several commentators described the movie as a budget version of Gone Girl from Temu, comparing it to director David Fincher's 2014 psychological thriller starring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike.
UNIAN evaluation and final verdict
In its assessment, UNIAN noted that while dedicated fans of Hoover's source material will likely enjoy the adaptation, casual viewers may find the storytelling predictable despite its stylish visuals. The review highlighted that a pivotal narrative turn occurs directly after a sexual encounter.
During screening, intimate scenes drew unexpected laughter from the audience, with viewers expressing humorous concern for the physical safety of the actresses' teeth.
The review also raised significant questions regarding narrative logic and character choices within the film. Critics questioned why medical professionals and law enforcement officers failed to observe obvious evidence, and why key characters rapidly altered their core beliefs without logical foundation.
Expectations for the film had been elevated following the success of the previous year's thriller release The Housemaid. Film analysts anticipated a strong genre entry due to the combined efforts of an Oscar winning director and an experienced television suspense writer. UNIAN concluded that the resulting film functioned largely as a visually polished product with limited thematic depth, rating the release 5 out of 10 points.
