Verdict: 3/5
The latest Colleen Hoover adaptation, ‘Verity’, fits perfectly into the genre I’m calling “watch it and forget it”. These movies, think ‘It Ends With Us’, are emotive, dramatic and often explore dark themes that leave audiences with plenty to think about but don’t linger.
The premise follows Lowen Ashleigh (Dakota Johnson), who is hired to ghostwrite the remaining book in a series after its famous author, Verity Crawford (Anne Hathaway), becomes catatonic following a car accident. However, things take a darker turn when Lowen discovers a hidden manuscript in Verity’s office, forcing her to question everything she thinks she knows about the author.
‘Verity’ is a thriller that relies heavily on perspective. We experience the story entirely through Lowen’s eyes, meaning the audience is naturally inclined to trust her interpretation of events. It is a fun plot device. While it is not quite the classic unreliable narrator, it sits somewhere just below it, encouraging viewers to question what they are seeing without completely losing their footing.
I won’t go into too much detail about the plot because I genuinely believe this is a movie best experienced going in blind. I knew very little about the story beyond the ghost-writing element, and I enjoyed trying to piece together the twists as they unfolded. There is something satisfying about sitting in a cinema and allowing a story to surprise you.
I think audiences sometimes dismiss movies too quickly when they are not obvious awards contenders. However, there is a certain magic in a film that simply allows people to switch off, get invested in a story and enjoy a few hours on a Friday night. ‘Verity’ won’t win any major awards, and there are elements of the plot that, on reflection, made me question its logic. Yet, in the moment, the twists and tension make it an entertaining watch.
Beyond the thriller elements, the movie raises some interesting questions. Does an author who writes about disturbing themes reveal something about their own character? Can someone write incredibly dark stories without being a bad person in real life? Should we judge people based on what they create, and where exactly is the line between an author’s work and their identity? These are questions audiences may find themselves pondering after leaving the cinema which I think is the point of any movie.
The critics might not be celebrating ‘Verity’, but my advice is see it and decide for yourself. It will entertain you and it might even raise your heartbeat a little.
See this movie at Hoyts Penrith.
