London – Actress Dakota Johnson highlighted the central theme of the new psychological thriller Verity during its United Kingdom premiere on Thursday. The film, adapted from Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, follows struggling writer Lowen Ashleigh, portrayed by Johnson, who is hired to finish a series of books for the famed author Verity Crawford after an accident renders the latter unable to write.
While working at the secluded Crawford estate, Lowen discovers what appears to be Verity’s autobiographical manuscript, and the unsettling secrets within blur the line between truth and deception. Johnson said, “It’s so thrilling, it’s so sexy. You are constantly trying to figure out what the truth is and who the good people are and who the bad people are. It’s kind of a lot like life.”
Cast and creative team
The adaptation brings together a notable cast. Academy Award winner Anne Hathaway plays Verity, while Josh Hartnett appears as her husband Jeremy. Director Michael Showalter, known for The Big Sick, said he was drawn to the novel’s “darkly seductive allure.” He added, “It felt like this very glamorous, hypnotic, inviting world that I wanted to lose myself into, but also very scary and suspenseful.”
Hartnett praised the story’s refusal to provide straightforward answers, describing it as a “choose‑your‑own‑adventure about who is the villain.” He hopes the film’s open‑ended nature will spark lively debate among audiences, joking, “I want to hear lots of arguments. I want to see people throwing popcorn in other people’s faces.”
Production notes
Showalter noted that Hoover remained closely involved throughout the filmmaking process and even makes a cameo appearance. While the movie stays largely faithful to the novel, the director acknowledged a stronger emphasis on erotic themes, stating, “We are sexual creatures and this story explores that.” He emphasized his goal of delivering a mainstream film that trusts audiences to engage with uncomfortable ideas, adding, “We can handle things that don’t feel everyday. I think that’s important…in commercial film and Hollywood film, to take on difficult subject matter.”
“Verity” begins its global cinematic rollout on September 30.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
