Michael Showalter, the director of Verity, provides an intriguing glimpse into the forthcoming book adaptation. Scheduled for release in 2026, this film is based on the 2018 thriller by Colleen Hoover, which shares the same title. The story follows Lowen, a woman who takes on the role of ghostwriter for Verity, uncovering startling revelations about her as the plot unfolds.
Verity stars Anne Hathaway in the lead role, while Dakota Johnson portrays the writer Lowen. Josh Hartnett takes on the role of Verity’s husband, Jeremy, supported by a talented cast that features Brady Wagner, Daniel Echevarria, Michael Abbott Jr., and Asel Swango.
In a recent media interview, Showalter discussed his collaboration with Anne Hathaway on Verity. He praised the actress highly, mentioning that they share “a really great connection creatively and collaboratively.” This strong bond inspired them to pursue working together on Verity.
Showalter expressed great admiration for his overall experience with Verity. He highlighted how distinct it was compared to his previous films, describing it as a “thriller” that is “rather dark and twisted.”
According to Michael Showalter, “She and I share an incredible creative and collaborative bond, and our experience working together on The Idea of You was truly wonderful. We were eager to find another project to collaborate on, and this opportunity arose. We filmed that movie about a year ago, or perhaps a little less. I thoroughly enjoyed the process, and I can’t wait for audiences to experience Verity. Although it won’t be released for some time—next Fall, to be precise—it’s a completely different genre compared to Oh. What. Fun. or The Idea of You. This one is a thriller, filled with suspense and fear. It’s quite dark and twisted, but I am genuinely excited and proud of this film.”
As the director mentions, Anne Hathaway has collaborated with him once more in recent years. They teamed up for the 2024 age-gap romance film The Idea of You, which gained popularity on Prime Video. Now, Verity presents another opportunity for him to partner with Hathaway.
Michael Showalter is staying active during this time with the holiday comedy Oh. What. Fun. Scheduled to premiere on December 3, this film will launch Prime Video’s holiday season, telling the tale of a family that comes together after they overlook one of their essential family members.
The most recent two films by Showalter have certainly leaned towards a much lighter tone. The director has openly acknowledged this shift, recognizing the changes in both genre and tone. Hathaway’s career has spanned a diverse array of genres, and Verity is no exception.
She has frequently taken on lighter roles compared to the challenging character of Verity that she is preparing to portray. Consequently, this will provide audiences with a fresh perspective on the actress.
Viewers are eager for an engaging thriller, particularly when it involves adaptations of Colleen Hoover’s work. Therefore, if Showalter’s film can fulfill its promise of being “dark and twisted,” Verity has the potential to become a major success.