Summary (tl;dr)

The film adaptation of Ali Hazelwood's hit novel "The Love Hypothesis," starring Lili Reinhart and Tom Bateman, is currently trending following its release on Prime Video, captivating fans of the popular "BookTok" romance.

Essential Background

"The Love Hypothesis" originated as a widely popular fanfiction inspired by the "Star Wars" characters Rey and Kylo Ren, later rewritten as an original novel by Ali Hazelwood and published in September 2021. The book quickly became a New York Times bestseller and a "BookTok" sensation, garnering a massive following for its "fake-dating" trope set in a STEM academic environment. The story follows PhD student Olive Smith and intimidating professor Dr. Adam Carlsen as they enter a mutually beneficial fake relationship that eventually leads to real feelings. Amazon MGM Studios announced its film adaptation, with Lili Reinhart cast as Olive Smith and Tom Bateman as Dr. Adam Carlsen in July 2025.

The Full Story

"The Love Hypothesis" movie officially debuted on Prime Video on September 23, 2026, leading to a surge in searches for the film, its cast, and related details. Tom Bateman's casting as the male lead, Dr. Adam Carlsen, has especially garnered attention due to a unique real-world connection: Bateman is married to actress Daisy Ridley, who played Rey in the "Star Wars" sequel trilogy. This connection is particularly notable given the novel's origins as "Reylo" fanfiction, with Bateman's character, Adam, named in homage to Adam Driver, who portrayed Kylo Ren. The film, directed by Claire Scanlon, has been highly anticipated by fans of the book and the broader romance genre, with filming taking place throughout summer 2025 in Montreal, Canada.

Why It Matters

The trending status of "The Love Hypothesis" highlights the growing influence of "BookTok" and fanfiction on mainstream entertainment, as popular online narratives are increasingly being adapted into major film and television productions. The movie's release also marks another significant entry in Prime Video's expanding lineup of young adult book adaptations. The meta-casting of Tom Bateman, married to the actress who inspired the novel's original fanfiction protagonist, adds a layer of intriguing real-world context that has further fueled public interest and discussion around the film. The film has received positive critical reviews, with an 80% Rotten Tomatoes score, which is considered quite good for the genre.

Geographic Location

• Montreal, Quebec, Canada (principal photography for the film)
• Virtual/Online (streaming release on Prime Video)