Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson Star in Colleen Hoover's 'Verity' Trailer, Promising October Box Office Hit

Key facts

• Amazon MGM released the trailer for 'Verity' in March 2025.
• The film opens in theaters on October 2, 2025.
• Anne Hathaway plays author Verity Crawford; Dakota Johnson plays Lowen Ashleigh.
• Josh Hartnett, Brady Wagner, Asel Swango, and Daniel Echevarria also star.
• Michael Showalter directs; he previously worked with Hathaway on 'The Idea of You'.
• Hoover's prior adaptations—'It Ends With Us' (2024), 'Regretting You' (2025), and 'Reminders of Him' (2025)—all succeeded at the box office.
• Amazon MGM's 'Project Hail Mary' has grossed $600 million worldwide.
• The teaser features a cover of Kylie Minogue's 'Can't Get You Out of My Head'.

A Twisted Thriller Set for October Release

Amazon MGM has unveiled the first trailer for 'Verity,' an adaptation of Colleen Hoover's 2018 psychological thriller. The film is scheduled to hit theaters on October 2, 2025, and marks the author's fourth novel to be adapted for the big screen in two years. The trailer opens with Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling novelist played by Dakota Johnson, prowling the Crawford family home in a silk robe. Verity Crawford, portrayed by Anne Hathaway, lies bedridden after an accident that has left her unable to complete her latest manuscript. Lowen is hired to finish the book, but soon discovers a disturbing unfinished manuscript that raises questions about Verity's mental stability.

A Kiss That Turns Sinister

In the official teaser, Lowen strikes up a romance with Verity's husband, Jeremy Crawford, played by Josh Hartnett. As the two kiss, Lowen notices blood on her mouth and realizes she is not kissing Jeremy but Verity herself. She recoils in horror as Verity hints, 'Darkness ahead.' The sequence suggests a narrative steeped in psychological manipulation and unreliable perspectives, echoing themes from works like 'Rebecca' and 'The Yellow Wallpaper.' The teaser is cut to a creepy cover of Kylie Minogue's 'Can't Get You Out of My Head,' amplifying the eerie tone.

Michael Showalter's Directorial Turn

The film is directed by Michael Showalter, known for his work on 'The Big Sick,' 'The Eyes of Tammy Faye,' and 'The Idea of You,' the latter also starring Anne Hathaway. Showalter's background in comedy—he co-wrote 'Wet Hot American Summer' and 'They Came Together'—brings an unexpected sensibility to Hoover's dark material. Showalter's adaptation of Robinne Lee's 'The Idea of You' was well-received, raising expectations for his handling of 'Verity.' The director's ability to balance tension and character depth will be tested in this psychological thriller.

Hoover's Box Office Streak Continues

Colleen Hoover's previous film adaptations have all performed strongly at the box office. 'It Ends With Us' (2024), 'Regretting You' (2025), and 'Reminders of Him' (2025) have demonstrated a sustained demand for female-focused stories. 'Verity' seems poised to continue that trend, especially given the built-in audience from Hoover's best-selling novel. Amazon MGM, which is in its first year with a full theatrical slate, has had a mixed start. After the underperformance of 'Mercy,' 'Crime 101,' and 'Melania' in January and February, the studio scored a major win with 'Project Hail Mary,' which has grossed $600 million worldwide. 'Verity' could provide another much-needed hit.

Anne Hathaway's Banner Year

2025 has become the year of Anne Hathaway as a movie star. She appears in 'Mother Mary' (already in theaters), 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' (opening Friday), 'The Odyssey' (due in July), 'The End of Oak Street' (August), and now 'Verity' in October. 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' and 'The Odyssey' are expected to be major box office draws, with 'The Odyssey' potentially becoming one of the year's biggest films. Notably, the 'Hathahate' phenomenon that once dogged the actress has subsided. The culture has embraced her earnestness and enthusiasm, allowing her to thrive without the backlash that characterized her earlier career. This shift has been a decade in the making.

Cast and Upcoming Amazon MGM Slate

Rounding out the 'Verity' cast are Brady Wagner, Asel Swango, and Daniel Echevarria. Before the film's October release, Amazon MGM will debut 'The Sheep Detectives,' the Nicholas Galitzine-led 'Masters of the Universe,' and 'How to Rob a Bank' from director David Leitch of 'John Wick' fame. The studio's theatrical strategy is still evolving, but the success of 'Project Hail Mary' and the anticipation around 'Verity' suggest a growing confidence in its film slate.

A Psychological Thriller That Transcends Its Source

Early reactions to the trailer suggest that 'Verity' may rise above typical Colleen Hoover adaptations. The teaser's visual style and atmospheric tension have drawn comparisons to classic psychological thrillers, with some observers noting that it looks so good it will be easy to forget it is based on a Hoover novel. Whether the film can sustain that promise remains to be seen, but the combination of a strong director, a proven source material, and a cast led by Hathaway and Johnson positions 'Verity' as one of the most anticipated releases of the fall season.

The bottom line

• 'Verity' opens in theaters on October 2, 2025, with a teaser released in March.
• Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson lead a cast that includes Josh Hartnett.
• Director Michael Showalter brings a nuanced touch to the psychological thriller genre.
• Colleen Hoover's adaptations have a strong box office track record, with three previous hits.
• 2025 is a landmark year for Anne Hathaway, with multiple high-profile releases.
• Amazon MGM is betting on 'Verity' to continue its theatrical momentum after 'Project Hail Mary'.