The Verity trailer is finally here, and if you’re wondering if it’s as dark as the book, the answer is a resounding yes—this is a hard-R psychological thriller that earns every bit of its "disturbing" label, making it a definite "skip" for the middle school crowd despite how much it's blowing up on their feeds.
TL;DR: The Verity movie adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s smash-hit novel stars Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson in a psychological thriller packed with graphic sexual content, child endangerment, and extreme moral ambiguity. While "BookTok" has made it a viral sensation among teens, Screenwise rates this content for ages 17+ due to its traumatic themes. For parents of younger teens craving a mystery, we recommend A Good Girl's Guide to Murder or The Inheritance Games instead.
The trailer introduces us to Lowen Ashleigh (Dakota Johnson), a struggling writer who gets the gig of a lifetime: finishing the remaining books in a successful series written by Verity Crawford (Anne Hathaway), who is incapacitated after a mysterious accident.
As Lowen moves into the Crawford estate to go through Verity’s notes, she finds a hidden manuscript—an autobiography that details horrifying secrets about Verity’s life, her marriage to Jeremy Crawford, and the deaths of her daughters. The trailer leans heavily into the "is she or isn't she?" suspense, showing glimpses of Hathaway looking genuinely terrifying as the titular character.
If you feel like you've heard the name "Verity" a thousand times over the last two years, you aren't imagining it. This book is the undisputed queen of BookTok, the corner of TikTok where readers share recommendations.
The "Verity" obsession isn't just about the plot; it’s about the "Team Manuscript vs. Team Letter" debate that has divided the internet. It’s the kind of story designed to be discussed, dissected, and reacted to on camera. Even though Colleen Hoover’s books are technically written for adults, her massive presence on Instagram and TikTok has funneled her work directly into the hands of 13- and 14-year-olds who want to be part of the cultural conversation.
Let’s not pull any punches: the source material for this movie is incredibly dark. If the film is even 50% faithful to the book, we are looking at themes that go way beyond a typical "scary movie."
Graphic Sexual Content
Colleen Hoover is known for "spicy" romance, but Verity takes it to a more explicit, often uncomfortable level. The manuscript Lowen reads contains graphic descriptions of sexual encounters that are central to the plot’s psychological manipulation.
Child Endangerment and Trauma
This is the big one. The core of the mystery involves the deaths of children and descriptions of child abuse. There is a specific scene involving a "test" of a child's safety that is notoriously difficult to read, and the trailer hints that the movie won't be shying away from these disturbing visuals.
Psychological Gaslighting
The entire story is built on the idea that you cannot trust what you see or read. For younger teens whose brains are still developing their "BS detectors," the level of gaslighting and moral depravity in this story can be more than just "entertaining"—it can be genuinely upsetting.
If your teen is begging to see Verity because they love a good "whodunnit" or a twisty thriller, there are plenty of options that provide the adrenaline rush without the R-rated trauma.
- A Good Girl's Guide to Murder: This is the gold standard for YA thrillers right now. It’s smart, twisty, and features a protagonist who actually uses her brain.
- The Inheritance Games: Think Knives Out but for the TikTok generation. It’s all about riddles, secret passages, and a massive fortune.
- One of Us Is Lying: Often described as The Breakfast Club with a murder mystery, this is a great bridge for teens who want more "mature" themes without the graphic content of a Hoover novel.
- Knives Out: A perfect family movie night choice that proves you can have a world-class mystery without being "edgy" for the sake of it.
Check out our full guide on the best mystery books for teens
If your kid is already deep in the Verity fandom, "forbidding" the movie might just make them want to sneak-watch it more. Instead, try a conversation that focuses on their readiness for the themes.
- Ask about the "Hype": "I see everyone talking about the Verity trailer. What's the big deal with the book? Why is everyone so split on the ending?"
- Discuss Content Thresholds: "I’ve read that this movie deals with some pretty heavy stuff involving kids and some very graphic scenes. Is that something you’re actually interested in, or do you just want to see it because everyone else is?"
- The "Wait and See" Approach: Suggest waiting until the movie actually drops and the parent reviews come in. Screenwise will have a full breakdown of every "trigger warning" once the film is released.
Q: Is the Verity movie appropriate for 13-year-olds?
No, Screenwise generally recommends Verity for ages 17 and up. The story contains graphic sexual violence, themes of child abuse, and intense psychological horror that are intended for an adult audience.
Q: Why is Verity rated R?
While the official MPA rating might still be pending in some regions, the content includes explicit sexual scenes, pervasive "mature" language, and disturbing images related to violence and death. It follows the "New Adult" genre, which is a step above Young Adult.
Q: Is Verity a horror movie or a romance?
It’s a psychological thriller. While it has elements of a dark romance, the trailer makes it clear that the film is leaning into the "horror of the mind" aspect. It’s much closer to Gone Girl than it is to It Ends With Us.
Q: What are the trigger warnings for Verity?
Major triggers include infant/child death, child abuse, attempted murder, graphic sexual content, and self-harm. It is a very "heavy" watch that can be triggering for anyone sensitive to themes of parental neglect.
The Verity trailer is a masterclass in building hype, and with Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson attached, it’s going to be a massive cultural moment. But just because something is "trending" doesn't mean it's appropriate for your middle or high schooler.
This isn't "brain rot" like some of the weird stuff on YouTube; it's high-quality, high-intensity adult drama. If your teen is dead-set on a thriller, steer them toward the YA alternatives we mentioned and save Verity for your own parent's night out (or in).