Review: 'Verity' Offers Sleek but Predictable Thrills with Hathaway and Johnson

The latest adaptation from Colleen Hoover's popular novels, "Verity," starring Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson, delivers a visually polished thriller that ultimately proves too predictable and slow to generate significant suspense. Directed by Michael Showalter, the film follows a familiar formula of seemingly perfect couples with hidden secrets, a trend that has seen commercial success with titles like "A Simple Favor" and "The Housemaid."

Dakota Johnson plays Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling New York author who, after a jarring encounter on the street, is hired by Jeremy (Josh Hartnett) to finish the remaining books in a contract held by his wife, renowned mystery author Verity Crawford (Anne Hathaway). The arrangement requires Lowen to move into the Crawford's opulent home. Upon arrival, Lowen discovers Verity is severely incapacitated, confined to a wheelchair and unable to communicate.

While ghostwriting, Lowen uncovers a manuscript draft on a thumb drive, a personal memoir detailing Verity's life and marriage with often dark revelations. However, the review notes that despite the potentially sinister content, these discoveries are neither truly surprising nor gripping, causing the film's middle section to drag. Lowen also develops a connection with Jeremy, a development the review labels as an inevitability.

Johnson's performance as Lowen is described as alluring and unflappable, though perhaps a bit too cool, even when she suspects she is in a dangerous situation. Hathaway, as Verity, is largely confined to flashbacks and narration, with her voice being highlighted as a notable asset. The review suggests that while Hathaway's narration is captivating, it's frustrating not to see the actress in a more dynamic role. Her performance is compared to her characters in "The Devil Wears Prada" and "The Dark Knight Rises."

The film's direction is characterized as pleasant and visually smooth, though not suited to the thriller genre. The overall aesthetic is noted for its "squeaky-cleanness" and prim acting, which contribute to a sense of dramatic flatness. The ending, while aiming for debate, is considered shaky but less certifiably insane than some of its genre predecessors.

The review suggests that for those seeking a more compelling thriller featuring Hathaway, "Eileen" might be a better choice, though it diverges significantly in tone and subject matter from Hoover's typical fare. "Verity" is ultimately seen as a movie that, while aesthetically pleasing and featuring strong performances, fails to deliver the tension and originality expected of the genre, catering more to fans of Hoover's established literary style than to seasoned thriller enthusiasts.