An Unserious Conversation about ‘Verity’

Few things are more irresistible than a story that asks you to pick a side. Is she telling the truth? Is he hiding something? And, perhaps most importantly, would you know who to believe if you were in the room with them?

That’s the deliciously twisted premise at the heart of Verity, the new psychological thriller starring Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, and Josh Hartnett. Based on the bestselling novel by Colleen Hoover, it follows struggling writer Lowen Ashleigh (Johnson), who is hired to complete the unfinished books of acclaimed author Verity Crawford (Hathaway) after a devastating family tragedy. She arrives at the Crawford home expecting to dig through notes, but finds something far more disturbing: a secret manuscript that could change everything she thinks she knows about the family.

From there, things get messy. There’s murder, manipulation, questionable decisions, simmering chemistry, and enough secrets to make you wonder whether anyone in this house should be trusted. And just when you think you’ve figured out what’s really going on, Verity has another trick up its sleeve.

But does all that chaos actually lead to a good thriller? And after everything unfolds, whose version of the truth are we supposed to believe? We certainly have our opinions… Here, BURO Malaysia’s Writer, Stephanie Wong, and Editorial Assistant, Aliz Azman, get into the film’s nooks and crannies, and of course, that divisive ending.

[Warning: major spoilers ahead!]

PLOT

Stephanie Wong (SW): So… Verity. Where do we even begin?

Aliz Azman (AA): It was super interesting. I haven’t read the book, so this was my first time experiencing Verity, and I had no idea what to expect. Have you?

SW: I read it a few years ago, so Verity isn’t something new to me, and I feel like I’ve been waiting a long time for it to be adapted. It’s just so creepy, and I’ve never gotten scared from reading a book, but this one was different. It’s surreal seeing it on the big screen now because I remember imagining certain scenes while reading.

AA: Which do you prefer, the book or the movie?

SW: I’d still say the book because it was much more detailed. Of course, you can’t expect an hour-and-a-half-long movie to include everything from its source material, but I’d say it did a pretty good job. 

AA: I agree. The pacing was a little slow at first, but once the twists started coming, everything picked up really quickly. I was hooked by the second half.

SW: That’s what makes a thriller so addictive. Were you genuinely surprised that Verity wasn’t actually paralysed?

AA: Yes! At no point did I suspect that anything was wrong. Lowen had been taking medication throughout, so I thought she was hallucinating. I was shocked when Verity moved and realised Lowen had been right all along.

SW: I think seeing it unfold on screen was so bizarre, especially with how they shot the scene. When the camera focused on Verity in her wheelchair, it felt like they were taunting us before she finally moved. And when she did, and the whole cinema gasped at the same time, that was such an experience.

CHARACTERS

AA: Honestly, I think Josh Hartnett was great as Jeremy because he’s kind of mysterious. I really loved him in Trap, where he plays a serial killer. At first, you think there’s something about this guy, but he has such a kind face. Then you realise he’s actually evil. He’s really good at deceiving the audience.

SW: I agree! I’ve seen some discourse online from people who weren’t happy with his casting because, in the book, Jeremy is described as a very charming man. Kind of like Theo James.

AA: Okayyy.

SW:  But Josh Hartnett is good-looking. And putting looks aside altogether, I think he does well at playing the bad guy in disguise. The issue I had with the casting was more with Dakota Johnson, but maybe that’s because I’m not the biggest fan of her acting style. I feel like other actresses could have given Lowen a bit more substance.

AA: Yeah, I think she could’ve done better. Sometimes, I do find Dakota’s delivery a little monotonous. Anne Hathaway though… she’s still the best casting of the movie for me.

SW: Definitely! Verity reminds me so much of Amy Dunne from Gone Girl, and I always had Rosamund Pike in my head when I was reading the book. So, to see Anne Hathaway take on this character, it makes so much sense. She’s had such a good film run this year, so it feels like she’s closing it out on a strong note.

AA: Hot take, but I’m actually Team Verity. 

SW: *gasps*

AA: I mean… Lowen is a stranger coming into their marriage, and she’s already telling Jeremy to do this and that. She even told Verity she wanted to steal her husband and her job. If she genuinely feels like Verity has done something wrong, she should send her to the police. Verity may not be completely innocent, but Lowen had no right to interfere in their relationship like that.

SW: Did you think Lowen and Jeremy’s chemistry was good?

AA: It was overall, but at some points it was a little hard to say because they cut certain scenes from the movie.

SW: I think so too. I feel like if you need those more intimate scenes to really see the tension between two characters, it means the chemistry between them isn’t quite strong enough on its own. So, in that sense, it could have been a lot better, but I wouldn’t say they had the worst chemistry. I think all three characters had their own dynamics going on, and it was a very interesting dynamic to watch.

VISUALS

SW: Personally, I think the isolated house and how big it was really helped convey how creepy and mysterious everything felt. I also really liked that it was snowing because, I don’t know, winter just adds this sense of mystery around everything.

AA: And the dark visual tone they used throughout the film, too.

SW: Would you want to live there?

AA: Yeah, no. I don’t think I’d ever want to live in that house. I’m a really scared person and I get spooked easily, so I don’t think I could survive there. I’d probably be hallucinating or something.

SW: Nothing about that house feels warm, which is why I think it’s so interesting that they portrayed it as this really beautiful space, especially when Lowen first enters her room. Verity’s office is so beautiful, too, but then so many bad things happen inside that house. I really like that contrast.

TEAM MANUSCRIPT VS. TEAM LETTER

SW: And now, the long-awaited question… are you Team Manuscript or Team Letter?

AA: I’m Team Letter! I know Verity is manipulative, but why would she write an apology letter to her husband and keep it hidden? Maybe she really wanted to get away from him. I feel like there’s something about Verity’s relationship with Jeremy that makes her do all of this. You know, like fake her paralysis or something. If Jeremy is really such a good guy, then why would she go to such lengths to fake being paralysed?

SW: That’s a good point, but I’m definitely Team Manuscript. I don’t think a mother can come up with all that about her children and be so hateful towards them, even if it was supposedly just a writing exercise. I don’t know… I feel like if I had a kid and came up with something like that about them, I wouldn’t be able to. She said some really horrible things about her children, and I just think that’s so bizarre coming from a mother.

AA: Okay, now I feel like I need to read the book just to see if I change my mind.

SW: I feel like the book favours Team Manuscript, but the movie leans more towards Team Letter. So if you’ve only watched the movie, go read the book and maybe you’ll have a different view!

FINAL VERDICT

AA: I would give it a solid 8/10. It was mind-blowing.

SW: It’s a 7.5/10 for me. If you’re looking for a psychological thriller that will have you questioning everyone and everything, this one is worth a watch. And if you love Anne Hathaway, it’s a no-brainer.

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