The cast is using their star power to drive engagement for Colleen Hoover’s bestseller, positioning themselves as relatable bookworms amidst the film’s box office dominance.
While they claim to love literary fiction, the fact that Josh Hartnett’s primary recommendation source is a former US President who loves the same niche thrillers says something about the Hollywood echo chamber.
Dakota Johnson stated the book makes you question 'Your sexuality.' Anne Hathaway praised the Man Booker Prize shortlist. Josh Hartnett cited Barack Obama’s favorite, 'The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny.'
It’s a clever cross-promo that hides the fact that these A-listers are just reading what the algorithm—and the Obamas—tell them to.
If you thought the twists in Colleen Hoover’s 'Verity' were enough to keep you up at night, wait until you hear what the cast has to say about their own reading habits. With the film adaptation currently dominating theaters and poised to top the box office charts, Dakota Johnson, Josh Hartnett, and Anne Hathaway sat down with Amazon News for a rapid-fire Q&A that was less about method acting and more about curating the perfect thriller stack.
The exclusive clip, shared with Variety on October 3, 2026, reveals that these stars are fully aware of the psychological warfare they’re waging on their audience. The most provocative takeaway comes straight from Johnson, who plays Lowen Ashleigh in the film. When asked what the story will have viewers questioning, she didn’t hesitate: 'Your sexuality.' It’s a bold claim for a promotional segment, but it aligns with the film’s twisted love triangle involving her character, Jeremy Crawford (Hartnett), and the comatose author Verity Crawford (Hathaway).
Johnson’s admission suggests that the on-screen chemistry—and the underlying tension—is designed to shake up the audience’s own perceptions, not just the plot. Anne Hathaway, meanwhile, brought a more intellectual angle to the table. She explained that a great book villain requires 'a great inner monologue,' noting that even if you disagree with the character, 'you want to listen to them.' This mirrors her role as Verity, a woman whose manuscript reveals dark secrets while her body lies in a coma.
Hathaway also dropped a high-brow recommendation, citing the Man Booker Prize shortlist as a trusted source, specifically pointing to Susan Choi’s 'Flashlight,' which was shortlisted in 2025 and deals with generational trauma and cultural identity. But it’s Josh Hartnett who provided the most interesting glimpse into the celebrity reading ecosystem. While he joked that 'Verity' might make you question your partner, his actual literary guru is none other than Barack Obama.
Hartnett mentioned a 'good friend who always knows me' and 'knows things,' leading to his recommendation of 'The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny.' The book, a New York Times 10 Best Books of 2025 selection, was notably listed as a favorite by the former president. It’s a neat little receipt showing that even in Hollywood, if you want to know what’s next, you just check what the Obamas are reading.
