Dakota Johnson says 'Verity' tests truth and trust at London premiere

London saw the UK debut of the psychological thriller Verity on Thursday, with its story built around questions of truth and trust, actor Dakota Johnson said. The movie adapts Colleen Hoover's best-selling novel and follows a struggling writer named Lowen Ashleigh, portrayed by Johnson, who is hired to finish a series of books for famed author Verity Crawford after an accident renders the latter unable to write. The job leads Lowen into the isolated Crawford estate where she discovers what appears to be Verity's personal manuscript, a document that blurs the line between fact and fiction. Johnson called the experience 'thrilling' and 'sexy', adding that viewers must constantly decide who is honest and who is not, much like real life. The cast also includes Academy Award winner Anne Hathaway as Verity and Josh Hartnett as her husband Jeremy. Hartnett said the film's refusal to give clear answers attracted him, likening the plot to a choose-your-own-adventure about identifying the villain. He hopes the open ending will spark debate among audiences. Johnson said the dark tone of Verity makes her eager to play more villainous roles. Director Michael Showalter, previously an actor, said he was drawn to the 'darkly seductive' world Hoover created and wanted to make a mainstream picture that trusts viewers to handle uneasy ideas. He noted that the story leans into erotic themes and that Hoover remained involved, even appearing in a cameo. Showalter stressed that commercial Hollywood can still tackle difficult subject matter. Verity joins other Hoover adaptations such as Justin Baldoni's It Ends With Us and will begin its worldwide theatrical release on 30 September.