Dakota Johnson Transforms into Lowen Ashleigh on the Set of Verity, Filming Intense and Bloody Scene with Josh Hartnett
Dakota Johnson is fully stepping into the thrilling world of Verity, embodying her character, Lowen Ashleigh, as production for the highly anticipated Colleen Hoover adaptation continues.
The 35-year-old actress was spotted on set in New York City on March 12, dressed in character as the struggling young writer Lowen Ashleigh, who becomes entangled in a chilling mystery after being hired to complete a bestselling author’s unfinished manuscript.
Dakota Johnson Filming Intense Scenes in Verity
In the behind-the-scenes photos, Dakota is seen wearing a long beige peacoat, orange pants, and black boots, accessorized with over-the-ear headphones. In one candid shot, the Fifty Shades of Grey star appears to be smoking a vape, her face set in a contemplative and slightly concerned expression—perhaps reflecting the eerie psychological tension of the storyline.
But it was another startling image that truly caught fans’ attention: Dakota’s face splattered with fake blood, as she walks across the street alongside Josh Hartnett, who plays Jeremy Crawford, Verity’s husband. This dramatic moment hints at the dark and unsettling tone of the film, which is expected to be one of the most chilling adaptations of Hoover’s work.
First Look at Verity: Anne Hathaway and Josh Hartnett’s Scene Teased
Dakota’s on-set appearance comes just weeks after the first official look at Verity was released, offering a glimpse of Josh Hartnett and Anne Hathaway in their respective roles as Jeremy and Verity Crawford.
In the first-look images, Josh wears a loosely buttoned tuxedo, while Anne dons a strapless red gown paired with silver heels. In a scene that appears to be a romantic flashback, the two actors are seen running hand in hand down a dimly lit street, smiling at each other—possibly a moment from the novel’s early “meet-cute” scene.
What Verity Is About: A Dark and Twisted Psychological Thriller
Unlike Colleen Hoover’s first major film adaptation, It Ends With Us, which had a romantic and emotional tone, Verity is a dark, psychological thriller packed with suspense, secrets, and spine-chilling twists.
The novel follows Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer who lands the opportunity of a lifetime—to finish the remaining books of the wildly popular author Verity Crawford, who has been left catatonic after a horrific car accident.
Upon arriving at Verity’s secluded home, Lowen is welcomed by Jeremy Crawford, Verity’s husband, and their young son, Crew. However, as she settles into the house, Lowen stumbles upon a hidden manuscript—an unpublished autobiography written by Verity that reveals shocking, sinister secrets about the Crawford family.
As Lowen struggles to distinguish truth from lies, she begins to feel an unsettling presence lurking in the house, questioning whether Verity is as incapacitated as she appears. The tension escalates into a haunting psychological battle, making Verity one of Hoover’s most intense and disturbing stories.
Meet the Team Behind Verity
The upcoming film adaptation of Verity is being directed by Michael Showalter, known for his work on critically acclaimed dramas and thrillers. This will be the second Colleen Hoover novel to be adapted for the big screen, following 2024’s It Ends With Us starring Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, and Brandon Sklenar.
Unlike It Ends With Us, Verity promises a completely different cinematic experience, one that leans heavily into suspense, psychological horror, and shocking revelations.
