Summary (tl;dr)

The highly anticipated film adaptation of Ali Hazelwood's bestselling romance novel, "The Love Hypothesis," starring Lili Reinhart and Tom Bateman, premiered globally on Prime Video on September 23, 2026.

Essential Background

"The Love Hypothesis," a contemporary STEM romance novel by Ali Hazelwood, gained immense popularity after its publication in September 2021, becoming a New York Times bestseller and a sensation on BookTok. The book tells the story of PhD student Olive Smith and intimidating professor Adam Carlsen, who enter a fake relationship that evolves into genuine affection. Interestingly, the novel originated as "Star Wars" fan fiction, specifically focusing on the "Reylo" pairing of Rey and Kylo Ren. In October 2022, the film adaptation was announced, with Lili Reinhart and Tom Bateman officially cast in July 2025 as Olive and Adam, respectively.

The Full Story

The film adaptation of "The Love Hypothesis" made its global debut on Prime Video on September 23, 2026, featuring Lili Reinhart as Olive Smith and Tom Bateman as Dr. Adam Carlsen. Lili Reinhart also took on an executive producer role for the movie. A notable and ironic detail that has garnered attention is the casting of Tom Bateman, who is married to Daisy Ridley, the actress who portrayed Rey in the "Star Wars" franchise, given the book's fan fiction origins. The film's principal photography took place in Montreal, Canada, during the summer of 2025. Since its release, the movie has been generally well-received by critics and audiences, with particular praise for the lead actors' chemistry.

Why It Matters

The release of "The Love Hypothesis" movie is a significant event for fans of the beloved novel and the broader romance genre, especially those who engaged with the book through platforms like BookTok. This adaptation underscores the growing trend of popular online fan fiction and bestselling independent novels transitioning into major film and television productions. The unique casting of Tom Bateman, the real-life husband of Daisy Ridley, adds a compelling layer of meta-narrative, resonating particularly with fans aware of the book's "Star Wars" fan fiction roots. The film's successful premiere further enhances Prime Video's expanding collection of young adult and romance adaptations.

Geographic Location

• Montreal, Quebec, Canada (principal photography for "The Love Hypothesis" film)
• Virtual/Online (global film release on Prime Video)