Colleen Hoover’s ‘Verity’ by Amazon MGM Studios, Set for May 2026 Release Date

Who’s up for a new movie based on one of Colleen Hoover’s books? Verity is coming to theaters next year!

A psychological romance thriller is directed by Michael Showalter and stars big names like Anne Hathaway, Josh Hartnett, and Dakota Johnson. Amazon MGM Studios will release it in the United States on May 15, 2026, through Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

The story follows Lowen Ashleigh, played by Dakota Johnson, a struggling writer who gets a unique job offer. Jeremy Crawford, portrayed by Josh Hartnett, hires her to finish a book series for his wife, Verity Crawford, a famous author acted by Anne Hathaway. Verity can’t write anymore because of a strange accident. While working at the Crawfords’ home, Lowen stumbles across a hidden manuscript. What she reads makes her question Verity’s mental state and how it ties to her books.

The cast also includes Ismael Cruz Córdova, Brady Wagner, Irina Dvorovenko, K. K. Moggie, and Michael Abbott Jr., though their roles haven’t been revealed yet. The film promises a mix of suspense, romance, and dark secrets.

We also have a few images from the set of the movie:

Work on adapting Hoover’s novel started years ago. Nick Antosca, who also wrote the final screenplay, teamed up with Alex Hedlund and their company Eat the Cat to bring the story to life. Early script drafts came from April Maguire and Will Honley before 2020.

Later, Amazon MGM Studios picked up the project in May 2024, with Hilary Seitz refining the script. Angela LaManna also contributed before Antosca finalized it in November 2024. That’s when Showalter signed on to direct, and Hathaway joined as Verity. Soon after, in December 2024, Hartnett and Johnson were added to the lineup.

Filming kicked off in February 2025. Scenes with Hathaway and Hartnett were shot in New York City. Johnson started her part in March. The production involves several companies, including Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Semi-Formal Productions, and Heartbones Entertainment, with producers like Showalter, Hathaway, and Hoover herself.

“Lowen Ashleigh gets hired by Jeremy Crawford to ghostwrite novels for his bestselling author wife Verity, who’s unable to finish after an accident,” reads the official synopsis. It adds, “Lowen uncovers Verity’s disturbing truths while residing at the Crawfords’ home to work.”

Verity looks like it could be a gripping watch. The blend of a troubled writer, a mysterious accident, and hidden secrets sounds like a recipe for tension. Hathaway as a potentially unstable author and Johnson as the outsider digging into her life could make for some intense scenes. It will be curious how the romance angle will play out amid all the thriller elements.

What do you think about this story? Will it deliver the chills and surprises it promises? Share your thoughts in the comments below!