Unveiling Details of Michael Showalter’s “Verity”
Fresh insights into Michael Showalter‘s upcoming film, Verity, have emerged alongside its highly anticipated release date announcement.
CinemaCon Presentation Highlights
The thrilling preview of “Verity,”which took place during the Amazon MGM Studios showcase at CinemaCon—held at the iconic Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on Wednesday evening—featured both a cast video message and an exclusive trailer. In his introduction, Showalter characterized the film as a gripping psychological thriller. The video also included appearances by cast members Anne Hathaway, Josh Hartnett, and Dakota Johnson, who each shared details about their characters alongside Colleen Hoover, the author of the original novel.
The Storyline
At the heart of Verity is the narrative of Lowen Ashleigh (played by Johnson), a struggling writer who embarks on a ghostwriting project for the famous author Verity Crawford (portrayed by Hathaway) under enigmatic circumstances. As the plot unfolds, Lowen discovers unsettling autobiographical notes that hint at dark family secrets. The line between fiction and reality starts to blur, particularly with Verity’s husband, Jeremy (Hartnett), entwined in the narrative.
Trailer Insights
The trailer opens with a romantic encounter between Hathaway and Hartnett’s characters in a bar, seemingly marking the beginning of their relationship. The action transitions to Johnson’s character arriving at a strikingly designed mansion, where she questions Verity’s state, discovering that her subject is immobilized in a wheelchair. “You’re the only writer who can do this,” Jeremy persuades Lowen, emphasizing the gravity of the task ahead.
The following scenes unveil the storyline’s darker elements, including a passionate moment where Lowen, adorned in a satin nightgown, kisses Jeremy but then realizes her connection to Verity. Tension escalates as a shot shows Lowen with blood on half her face, and another reveals her gazing up at the mansion, spotting Verity observing her from a window. In a pivotal moment, police question Lowen, inquiring, “Are you by chance working on the next Verity book?” Her confident response? “It will be the best one yet.”
Production Team and Release Date
The screenplay for Verity was adapted by Nick Antosca, with contributions from writers including Hoover, Lauren Levine, Hillary Seitz, Angela LaManna, Will Honley, and April Maguire. The production team includes Showalter and Antosca, along with producers Alex Hedlund, Stacey Sher, Jordana Mollick, Hathaway, and Hoover, while executive producers include Dakota Johnson, Lauren Levine, and Kerry Orent. Notable production houses involved in the film are Eat the Cat, Semi-Formal Productions, Shiny Penny, Somewhere Pictures, and Heartbones Entertainment.
Mark your calendars: Verity is slated for theatrical release on May 15, 2026. Originally self-published by Hoover in 2018, the book was later acquired by Grand Central Publishing in 2021 and has since achieved the status of a New York Times bestseller.
CinemaCon 2023
CinemaCon, an annual gathering of cinema owners and Hollywood producers, is organized in Las Vegas by the newly rebranded Cinema United, previously known as the National Association of Theatre Owners. This year’s event spans from March 31 to April 3.