Hoover and Showalter Reveal How Hathaway and Johnson Elevated 'Verity' Erotic Thriller

Key points

• Colleen Hoover and Michael Showalter discussed the adaptation of 'Verity' in a Variety interview, noting that they added back erotic aspects of the story that were missing from earlier script drafts.
• Showalter credits Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson for improvising a scene where Johnson’s character, Lowen, transitions from a hug with Josh Hartnett’s character to a kiss with Hathaway’s character, Verity, which he described as a transgressive and erotic moment.
• The film removed a subplot from the book where Lowen is a sleepwalker to maintain narrative momentum, a change that Hoover supported as it improved the pacing.
• Hoover noted that 'Verity' has a larger male following than her other books, and she expressed excitement for the film's release, contrasting it with the drama surrounding the 'It Ends with Us' adaptation.
• The film 'Verity' is set to open in theaters on October 2, 2026.

Background

This interview follows earlier coverage of Dakota Johnson's preparations for 'Verity' and Anne Hathaway's busy 2026 schedule, which includes multiple blockbusters. The film is the latest adaptation of a Colleen Hoover novel, following the successful 'It Ends with Us,' which grossed over $350 million but faced post-release controversy.

How outlets are covering it

Variety's interview with Hoover and Showalter emphasizes the collaborative process and the actors' contributions to the film's erotic tone. Yahoo's secondary source, while largely obscured by code, suggests a focus on a specific book detail that had to be kept or changed, aligning with the Variety discussion of script changes. Both sources highlight the significance of the adaptation but from different angles: Variety focuses on the creative process and actor improvisation, while Yahoo seems to focus on specific plot details.

Why it matters

The adaptation of 'Verity' signals a potential return of the erotic thriller genre to mainstream cinema, a genre that has largely disappeared in recent years. The success of 'It Ends with Us' and the anticipation for 'Verity' indicate strong audience demand for these adaptations, and the collaborative approach between author and director may set a new standard for book-to-film adaptations.

What to watch

The film 'Verity' will open in theaters on October 2, 2026. The success of the film could influence future adaptations of Colleen Hoover's works and the broader trend of erotic thrillers in cinema.