He’s the one she loves to hate.|Dec. 09, 2021|United States|102 Min.|R
Genre: Comedy;Romance
Description: “The Hating Game” is a 2021 American romantic comedy directed by Peter Hutchings, based on Sally Thorne’s novel of the same name. Starring Lucy Hale and Austin Stowell in the lead roles, the film was released in theaters and on video on demand on December 10, 2021, by Vertical Entertainment. It received generally positive reviews from critics.
The story centers on Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman, two executive assistants who are forced to work together after their publishing companies merge. Despite their polar opposite personalities, their rivalry escalates when they compete for the same promotion: managing director. Determined to succeed professionally without compromising her principles, Lucy engages in a competitive game of one-upmanship with Josh. However, things take an unexpected turn when a seemingly innocent elevator ride sparks a romantic connection. As Lucy’s attraction to Josh deepens, she begins to reconsider her feelings, blurring the line between love and hate.
The film was announced in May 2019, with Lucy Hale initially paired with Robbie Amell. Due to scheduling conflicts, Amell was replaced by Austin Stowell, and filming took place in New York City from November 21 to December 23, 2020. “The Hating Game” had a limited theatrical release and was also made available on various VOD platforms. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 71% approval rating based on 21 professional reviews, with praise focused on the chemistry between the lead actors.
Cast director: Peter Hutchings
Cast actor: Lucy Hale, Austin Stowell, Yasha Jackson, Sakina Jaffrey, Corbin Bernsen, Kathryn Boswell
Original name: The Hating Game