Can true love come from hate? “The Hating Game” plays with the age-old question as it explores a young woman’s quest to make it in the business world. Its rom-com format comes from Sally Thorne’s book of the same name, with a screenplay adaptation by Christina Mengert. Thorne’s bestselling book made a splash after its debut in 2016, even being named one of the year’s top romance novels by The Washington Post. Director Peter Hutchings is taking on his first directorial outing since 2018’s “Then Came You.” ‘Game’ isn’t his only adaptation in the pipeline. He’ll next helm another novel adaptation — Vanessa Diffenbaugh’s “The Language of Flowers” — a project he also contributed to as screenwriter.
Lucy Hale stars as the irrepressible Lucy Hutton. The actress, best known for “Pretty Little Liars,” builds on her TV experience to transition into the pivotal role. Additionally, Hale is taking on an executive producer credit for the project. Austin Stowell joins her as the surprising adversary Joshua Templeton. Stowell’s credits include appearances in the Apple TV’s “Amazing Stories” reboot and HBO’s “The White Lotus.” With appearances by Sakina Jaffrey and Corbin Bernsen, Damon Daunno, Yasha Jackson, and Sean Cullen, the project boasts a lot of old and new names. Both Jaffrey and Bernsen come with an expansive set of credits ranging from Jaffrey’s work on “House of Cards” to Bernsen’s role in “Major League.”
The film’s official synopsis:
Based on the best-selling book, The Hating Game tells the story of ambitious good girl Lucy Hutton and her cold, efficient work nemesis, Joshua Templeton. Committed to achieving professional success without compromising her ethics, Lucy ultimately embarks on a ruthless game of one-upmanship against Josh, a rivalry that is increasingly complicated by her mounting attraction to him.
Business and romance turn out to be strikingly similar in “The Hating Game.” The film opens in select theaters and On Demand December 10. Get your first look at the trailer below.