Anne Hathaway’s Verity has landed a mixed critic score ahead of its release. The upcoming movie already has a massive built-in awareness among BookTok and general readers, thanks to Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel. And from the very beginning, industry analysts and box office trackers have predicted a strong box office hit as well. However, a movie making a lot of money and a movie being loved by critics are driven by completely different metrics.

As far as critics are concerned, Verity has had a mixed reception, despite its cast featuring Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson.

Verity fails to win over critics

Verity recently landed a critic score of 46% on Rotten Tomatoes. That is more bad than good. However, it is still not considered a disaster. This would be Anne Hathaway’s fifth movie release this year and the only one to receive a “rotten” score.  Early reviews from outlets like Variety and The Hollywood Reporter have also panned it as a “dud.”  

As for the box office, Verity could still have a strong run thanks to the huge readership behind the book. There was some doubt earlier because the film was about to compete with Tom Cruise’s Digger. However, with Digger also receiving a dismal critical response, the competition may not be as daunting anymore. The suspense may not be Verity’s strongest box-office weapon either since fans of the novel already know the major twists. That puts the focus squarely on the film’s execution, which critics say is where it falls short.

But for those who have not read the book, the premise of this 2026 thriller could be enough to draw them to theaters.

Verity could be the creepiest thriller of 2026

Verity centers on a struggling writer, Lowen Ashleigh, played by Dakota Johnson, who is hired by Jeremy Crawford, played by Josh Hartnett, to ghostwrite the remaining books in a highly successful series written by his wife, Verity Crawford, Anne Hathaway’s character. 

As Lowen settles into the secluded Crawford estate to prepare Verity’s work for writing, she finds something far more disturbing than scattered notes. Hidden inside the chaotic home office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never wanted anyone to read.

What do you think about Verity’s critical response? Let us know in the comments!