Dakota Johnson and Anne Hathaway star in the upcoming thriller Verity, based on the novel of the same name by Colleen Hoover. It promises many spicy moments between the two leads, with Johnson teasing a few of the sapphic scenes.

The film follows ghostwriter Lowen Ashleigh (Johnson), who is tasked with finishing famous author Verity Crawford’s (Hathaway) book series after a car crash leaves her paralysed. Hired by Verity’s husband Jeremy Crawford (played by Josh Hartnett), the ghostwriter is forced to move in with the couple to get a better understanding of the series. 

Lowen discovers what appear to be Verity’s autobiographical notes, leading her to wrestle between fact and fiction, dream and reality. As seen in the trailer, some of these “dreams” include Lowen and Verity becoming quite intimate with one another.

 

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Johnson spoke to OUT magazine about the scenes in question. She told the publication, “Spicy sapphic scenes! I love that! That’ll be on my tombstone. It was very technical, but obviously incredibly enjoyable. I got to make out with the two of them for a few hours! One of them would be under me, one would slide out, and then another would slide in. It was very technical and that is art.”

Both actors are no strangers to the world of queer on-screen relationships. Johnson starred as the lead in the romantic comedy Am I OK?, while Hathaway appeared in both Mother Mary, a psychological drama, and Eileen, a psychological thriller. Both contain strong queer undertones. 

Verity’s trailer highly suggests a diabolically twisted love triangle between Johnson, Hathaway and Hartnett’s characters. Hartnett credits the close friendship the three actors built on set as a major factor in creating compelling, passionate scenes. “The chemistry in the film is palpable. It comes from mutual respect and understanding,” the actor says.

While Verity is sure to explore some dark themes and complicated relationships, Colleen Hoover’s work has come under some scrutiny for her depictions and discussions of domestic violence, particularly with her 2016 book It Ends With Us. The author has said the novel is inspired by her own experiences growing up in a household where domestic violence took place.

Verity releases in Irish cinemas on Friday, October 2.