In the psychological thriller “Verity,” trust remains an elusive commodity. Anne Hathaway stars as the titular character, a celebrated novelist rendered unable to move or communicate following a severe car crash, while her chilling, secret autobiography reveals a darker reality. Opposite her, Dakota Johnson plays Lowen, a struggling author hired to complete the series of novels left unfinished by Verity. As Lowen begins living in Verity’s home, she finds herself becoming increasingly infatuated with the life—and the husband—of the woman she is meant to be replacing. It is all quite heightened in the way that one might hope for in a psychological thriller. Johnson deadpanned that she wasn’t “really thinking about my mother or grandmother in thrillers at the time of filming.
Josh Hartnett rounds out the trio as the husband, a man who appears responsible and caring yet displays unsettling behavior, such as encouraging Lowen to wear his wife’s dresses. The tension rises as Lowen grows suspicious that Verity’s paralysis might be a calculated deception. Despite the heavy atmosphere required by the script, the lead actors frequently found themselves fighting off giggles during intense scenes. Hathaway recalled that certain moments required her and Johnson to simply stare at one another, noting that the pressure of being deliberately scary often triggered laughter. “There would be some shots where Dakota and I would just have to stare at each other,” Hathaway recently said. “There’s just something about knowing that you’re supposed to be scary that makes you giggle.”.
The production embraces the aesthetic of a pulpy, popcorn-fueled mystery. The film features high-concept sequences, including a fantasy moment where Johnson’s character kisses Hartnett’s, which ultimately transitions into a scene with Hathaway. Johnson noted that she found it genuinely enjoyable to portray a character who is deeply unwell. The project marks the latest screen adaptation of a Colleen Hoover bestseller, following the success of “It Ends With Us,” which grossed over $350 million globally while also drawing significant attention for its off-screen legal controversies. But also became infamous for its off-screen legal battles, that film made over $350 million worldwide in theatres.
Director Michael Showalter sought to channel his lifelong interest in the genre, drawing inspiration from his high school studies of Alfred Hitchcock’s filmography. The casting carried a unique weight: Dakota Johnson is the granddaughter of Tippi Hedren, who starred in “The Birds” and “Marnie,” and the daughter of Melanie Griffith, who appeared in Brian De Palma’s Hitchcock-inspired thriller “Body Double.” While Johnson admitted she did not actively reflect on her family’s legacy during production, she later viewed the connection as an inspiration, drawing a sense of bravery from the work of her predecessors.
The three leads had never previously worked together, a dynamic Showalter described as a “super group.” Josh Hartnett emphasized that his career focus has shifted toward distinct, varied roles as he has matured, allowing him to lean into complex characters. Hathaway, who also served as a producer, brought significant creative input to the project. Having previously collaborated with Showalter on “The Idea of You,” Hathaway was eager to participate in this “Rebecca”-style narrative, finding the experience of playing a character defined by stillness and distant stares a welcome shift from her recent, more physically demanding roles.
The release of “Verity” concludes a remarkably busy period for Hathaway, who appeared in five major theatrical projects and participated in multiple press tours this year, including “Mother Mary,” “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” “The Odyssey,” and “The End of Oak Street.” Looking ahead, the actress plans to welcome her third child before eventually returning to the screen for a “Days of Thunder” sequel alongside Tom Cruise. Despite her prolific output, Hathaway remains focused on the work itself rather than personal accolades. On “Verity,” however, the drama stayed on the screen.
