Overview
The Hating Game is a romantic comedy that came out on December 10, 2021, and was directed by Peter Hutchings. The film is based on the bestselling novel by Sally Thorne, and the screenplay was written by Christina Mengert. The movie features Lucy Hale as Lucy Hutton and Austin Stowell as Joshua Templeman, who also are executive producers. The film brings to life the classic enemies-to-lovers trope set within a competitive corporate publishing environment.
Plot Summary
Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman are executive assistants to the co-CEOs of a recently merged publishing house. While Lucy is warm, quirky, and optimistic, Josh is serious, meticulous, and emotionally guarded. Their personalities clash instantly creating a tense workplace rivalry characterized by passive aggressive encounters, games, and heated gazes.
Their dynamic intensifies when both are being considered for the same promotion. In a wager, they agree that the loser must quit their job. What begins as a professional battle turns romantic when Josh kisses Lucy in an elevator. This marks a turning point in their relationship and interactions where it becomes evident that their animosity is the result of harboring deeper feelings towards each other.
During a corporate retreat, Lucy becomes ill and is cared for by Josh, who takes her to his home. While there, she meets his brother and learns about the difficult family dynamics Josh is dealing with. These closer interactions are chipping away at their emotional barriers. Lucy and Josh begin to go out together more frequently and shift towards deepening trust and vulnerability.
As his date, Lucy attends his brother’s wedding with him. Although the weekend is filled with deeper emotional revelations, he also expresses his insecurity regarding being overshadowed by his brother. In support of Josh, Lucy assists him by confronting his father in a tense encounter, clearly demonstrating affectionate support.
Unfortunately, Lucy overhears something that convinces her that Josh has been romanticizing their relationship as a strategy to distract himself from the promotion race. Betrayed, she goes back to confront him and switch focus on her career. Queue the promotion announcement… Josh has resigned after accepting another position to stop “competing” with her and, in his words, stepping aside to avoid impacting her success.
The movie concludes with Lucy finding Josh and professing her feelings to him, which leads to a romantic reunion. They share a kiss as they embrace their love for each other, finally choosing partnership over rivalry.
Cast and Characters
Lucy Hale as Lucy Hutton: An idealistic people pleaser, Lucy is energetic and ambitious and learns to manage both her professional and emotional life. Hale gives charm and relatability to the character.
Austin Stowell as Joshua Templeman: Joshua is stoic, highly intense, and extremely competitive. Stowell gives dimension to his character as he reveals vulnerability in addition to the strength with which he initially portrays him.
Damon Daunno as Danny: A friendly coworker who briefly dates Lucy, Danny helps to contrast with Josh’s character.
Nicholas Baroudi as Pat Templeman: Pat is Josh’s older brother whose successful and charismatic persona accentuates Josh’s internal insecurities.
Supporting Cast: Includes Corbin Bernsen, Sakina Jaffrey, and Yasha Jackson, all of whom add to the film’s work and family settings.
Production and Direction
The film was first announced in 2019 with Lucy Hale and Robbie Amell. Austin Stowell took over from Amell. Filming occurred in late 2020 in upstate New York under strict COVID-19 guidelines.
Hutchings Peter’s direction has a distinct visual flair, and his subtle handling of the emotional romance tension underscores the stark contrast between the rigid formality of the office and the warmth of personal intimacy. The screenplay preserves much of the witty exchanges and the introspective monologues from the novel, remaining largely true to its plot points.
The cinematography merges the sleek, minimalistic corporate environment with intimate, romantic settings. Supportive of both humorous and sincere moments, the film’s score reinforces its emotional tempo.
Reception and Reviews
The Hating Game has received mostly favorable reviews, especially about the chemistry between Hale and Stowell. Critics praised the film for its capacity to convey the book’s tension through visual and emotional cinematic techniques. Hale was praised for her sincere performance, while Stowell was recognized for his portrayal of the brooding yet emotionally available character as multi-dimensional.
Some blame the film’s lack of innovation on overusing elements associated with a specific genre. Fans of romantic comedies and book adaptations valued the film’s charm and comfort, while those seeking originality felt it was overly formulaic.
Critics and audiences viewed the movie with moderate to mild appreciation, with the audience score slightly surpassing the critical view. The film garnered special attention from novel enthusiasts due to its fidelity to the source material and the captivating chemistry between the lead characters.
Box Office and Release
The film was released simultaneously on video-on-demand and in select theaters. Domestically, the film performed modestly, earning a little over $5,000, while international revenues raised the total to roughly $1.5 million. These figures are indicative of the film’s independent status as well as its release strategy amidst a global pandemic.
Despite not achieving commercial blockbuster status, the film did experience success through digital sales and streaming services, particularly among sappy romance fans. The film also started becoming a recurring feature in rom-com playlists.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
Outstanding chemistry between the actors.
Entertaining and faithful adaptation of the novel.
Balanced mix of humor, flirting, and emotion.
Well-developed character arcs, especially for Josh.
Weaknesses:
Predictable and formulaic plot.
Underdeveloped supporting cast.
Pacing problems, especially in the second half.
Themes and Takeaways
The key themes for the film include:
Competition vs. Connection: Lucy and Josh learn that true intimacy is impossible when one is vying for a competitive edge. They evolve by choosing surrender over control.
Perception vs. Reality: Hatred stems from miscommunication and underlying affection. Love often hides under conflict, waiting to be discovered.
Self-Worth: Insecurity defines the characters’ struggles. The romance flourishes upon discovering independence from external validation.
Final thoughts
The film offers engaging dialogue, endearing characters, and authenticity, making the romantic comedy pleasurable. The film does not change the genre, but delivers what is promised in the enemies-to-lovers formula.
Returning The Hating Game fans will enjoy the film’s faithful adaptation version; however, new audiences will appreciate the humor, romance, and workplace intrigue blend. The film is a modern romantic comedy featuring workplace satire alongside genuine sentiment, buoyed by memorable performances by Lucy Hale and Austin Stowell.
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