Amazon MGM has released the debut trailer for *Verity*, a psychological thriller starring Academy Award-winner Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, and Josh Hartnett, according to movieweb.com.
Directed by Michael Showalter, the film is an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel and is scheduled for a theatrical release on October 2.
The plot follows struggling writer Lowen Ashleigh, played by Johnson, who is hired by Jeremy Crawford (Hartnett) to complete the remaining manuscripts of his wife’s successful book series. Hathaway portrays the titular Verity Crawford, a celebrated author left incapacitated following a mysterious accident. The trailer establishes a dark, suspenseful tone, focusing on the shifting domestic tensions between the three central characters.
This production marks the fifth film featuring Hathaway to be released in 2026. Her prolific year includes roles in *Mother Mary*, *The Devil Wears Prada 2*, Christopher Nolan’s *The Odyssey*, and *The End of Oak Street*. Originally slated for a May debut, distributors delayed *Verity* to October to capitalise on the autumn horror season and avoid scheduling conflicts with Hathaway’s other summer projects.
The film represents the fourth major adaptation of Hoover’s work, following the commercial success of *It Ends with Us*, *Regretting You*, and *Reminders of Him*. The project reunites Hathaway with Showalter, who previously directed the actress in the Amazon MGM romantic drama *The Idea of You*.
Industry analysts suggest the film is positioned to emulate the performance of previous literary thrillers, such as *The Housemaid*, which earned $399 million globally last year. Produced by a team including Hathaway, Stacey Sher, and Nick Antosca, *Verity* is expected to be a significant contender at the autumn box office.
The film arrives amidst a surge in Hollywood adaptations of “BookTok” favourites. Colleen Hoover remains a dominant force in the publishing industry, and the transition of her bibliography to the screen has become a central strategy for studios seeking established audiences and high-yield returns.
•Featured image: Anne Hathaway/Amazon MGM
