Verity Review: Sizzling chemistry between two top actresses, intimate scenes, and chilling secrets… so, where did ‘Verity’ fail?

Entangled relationships involving a wife in a coma, her mysterious husband, and a writer… Does Dakota Johnson and Anne Hathaway’s Verity deliver suspense, or is it merely bold drama? Find out in the Verity review.

Reading a book is different from watching its film adaptation. A book lets your imagination run wild alongside the author’s, while a film shows you exactly what the director envisioned. Something similar has happened with Colleen Hoover’s famous novel, Verity. Director Michael Showalter has brought a story rich in mystery, passion, betrayal, and complex relationships to the screen. Unfortunately, however, the resulting thriller often feels more like a B-grade suspense drama. Despite the presence of Dakota Johnson and Anne Hathaway, the film fails to cast its spell.

Blood, mystery, and a terrifying house

The story revolves around Lowen Ashleigh (Dakota Johnson), a struggling writer. One day, she gets splattered with blood during a street accident. Amidst this, she meets Jeremy Crawford (Josh Hartnett), who helps her by offering his shirt. It is later revealed that Jeremy is the husband of the famous author Verity Crawford (Anne Hathaway). Verity has been in a coma following an accident, and Jeremy wants Lowen to complete her unfinished book.

When Lowen arrives at their lavish home, she discovers an unfinished autobiography by Verity. It reveals secrets about her obsessive relationship with Jeremy and her hatred toward her twin children—secrets that steer the story in a dark and dangerous direction. Now, the question remains: are Verity’s words the truth, the product of a sick mind, or part of a sinister game?

An attempt to scare in the name of suspense

The film makes a commendable attempt to set the mood right from the start. Through background music, abrupt editing, and eerie visuals, the director aims to evoke the feel of a psychological thriller. However, the effort feels so forced that it comes across as contrived rather than genuinely frightening.

While the story holds an element of mystery, the characters’ state of mind and the depth of their relationships are missing. Voiceovers have been used to explain several key events; consequently, the audience ends up merely listening to the story rather than truly connecting with the characters. The psychological tension upon which the film hinges fails to materialise effectively on screen.

There is boldness, but where is the story?

‘Verity’ is presented as a dark, twisted, and erotic thriller. However, at times, the boldness in the film seems to take precedence over the story itself. Scenes such as Lowen repeatedly bathing or changing clothes, and the camera lingering excessively while she eats, can distract you from the narrative rather than thrill you.

The blossoming romance between Jeremy and Lowen also feels awkward at times. Occasionally, something as trivial as having pudding on one’s lips is made the basis for romance, while at other times, serious scenes become so melodramatic that they provoke laughter. Even Verity’s wheelchair becomes a source of unintentional humour in certain scenes.

Even the chemistry between Dakota and Anne couldn’t save the film

Dakota Johnson struggles to convey the necessary restlessness and insecurity of her character. While her somewhat impassive screen presence could be seen as part of the film, at times it comes across more as a lack of acting depth than a reflection of the character’s inner turmoil. One expected a mysterious and commanding presence from Anne Hathaway, yet her character, too, fails to fully come into its own. Josh Hartnett also falls short of providing the film with the strength it requires.

The film’s biggest gamble lies in its climax and final twist. While the story does succeed in keeping the audience guessing for a while, a great deal has already transpired by then to dilute the film’s overall impact. Ultimately, the line between truth and falsehood remains blurred, yet one is left wondering: was this elaborate exercise really worth just that?

‘Verity’ is a film that had all the ingredients for success—an intriguing story, a strong cast, and ample scope for suspense. However, a weak screenplay, contrived romance, and an overly sensationalized treatment spoiled the experience. Even fans of the book might find the lack of character depth and narrative nuance disappointing.

If you are planning to watch the film because of Dakota Johnson and Anne Hathaway, keep your expectations in check. And if you are looking for a suspense story that keeps your mind racing until the very last minute, you might be better off looking to Vijay Salgaonkar’s Drishyam: The Conclusion. Ultimately, the truth about Verity is that while its central mystery is intriguing, the way it is brought to the screen is equally disappointing.

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