The Love Hypothesis

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1:47

The Love Hypothesis

R

2026

1h 50m

Romance

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

74%

Tomatometer

65 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

Based on the New York Times best-selling novel by Ali Hazelwood, The Love Hypothesis follows Olive (Lili Reinhart), a brilliant Ph.D. candidate focused on her future in academia. But when she realizes her best friend Anh (Rachel Marsh) has fallen for her crush Jeremy (Nicholas Duvernay), Olive impulsively kisses intimidating professor Adam Carlsen (Tom Bateman) to prove she’s moved on. What begins as a desperate act of friendship spirals into a fake relationship with rules, boundaries, and a mutually beneficial agreement. When their arrangement begins to blur the lines between performance and reality, Olive is forced to test her most daunting hypothesis yet: that love might actually be worth the risk.

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Critics Consensus

The Love Hypothesis follows a familiar rom-com formula, but its healthy dose of humor and palpable chemistry between Lili Reinhart and Tom Bateman make it a satisfying comfort watch.

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Geordie Gray

The Australian

4 days ago

2.5/5

This is a naff, cloying and really, really silly movie. It contains some of the clunkiest dialogue ever committed to film

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Linda Holmes

Pop Culture Happy Hour (NPR Podcast)

Sep 29, 2026

There is so much here that I wanted to be able to enjoy. I think Lili Reinhart has something, but I think there's not enough kind of oomph in this character maybe.

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Jared Richards

The Age (Australia)

Sep 28, 2026

3/5

It’s as fun, fluffy and forgettable as a straight-to-DVD 2000s romcom, which is meant as a compliment!

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Archi Sengupta

LeisureByte.com

1 day ago

3/5

The Love Hypothesis is a charming but predictable romantic comedy elevated by Lili Reinhart and Tom Bateman’s chemistry, while Olive and Anh’s friendship adds heart.

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Alex Berry

Radio Times

1 day ago

3/5

The chemistry between the two leads isn’t the only thing fizzing away in this science-flavoured romcom.

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Mae Abdulbaki

Pajiba

1 day ago

It’s a rom-com I would rewatch in a heartbeat. It’s sweet and funny, with excellent character dynamics that underscore a layered story.

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Caroline B

@RT21936901 6 hrs ago

I review almost nothing but felt inclined here to write something about this movie. It is as others say "clunky" and "awkward" but I think that’s why I like it. The characters are meant to be that way and whilst the storyline isn’t particularly original it did move me in parts of the movie so job well done I reckon!! And a few butterflies in the love seasons too! I’d def watch again.

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Karen F

@foster.karen 13 hrs ago

It’s cute. Mostly because of Lili

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Dean W

@aznpikapi 15 hrs ago

Watched this last night. Cute chick flick to wind down and watch. Tom Bateman is fine 🔥

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Sabina C

@RT00050796 22 hrs ago

A lovely movie! ❤️ The Love Hypothesis beautifully illustrates the importance of friendship through Olive and Anh’s relationship. Their bond is full of support, loyalty, encouragement, and genuine care. At the same time, Adam and Olive’s love story shows how love can grow from unexpected beginnings into something genuine and beautiful, built on trust, understanding, and the little things that reveal how deeply two people care for each other.

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Diego sebastian C

@dchacon288 1 day ago

A romantic comedy that isn't funny and lacks romance. The couple isn't endearing and doesn't make you want to root for them. The male lead looks like he was pulled straight out of a teen girl's blog. The story is interesting, but I couldn't find much romance or any memorable scene or line. I never fell for the couple, and only one joke made me laugh.

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Taya S

@RT75316046 2 days ago

This movie has become my new comfort entertainment. In certain ways it does not represent the book well but overall the movie turned out fantastic. I’d recommend watching if you’re looking for a light hearted, happy ending, cinematic masterpiece!

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Claire Scanlon

Director

Lili Reinhart

Olive Smith

Tom Bateman

Adam Carlsen

Rachel Marsh

Ahn

Nicholas Duvernay

Jeremy

Jaboukie Young-White

Malcolm

The Love Hypothesis: Trailer 1

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The Love Hypothesis: Teaser Trailer

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Synopsis

Based on the New York Times best-selling novel by Ali Hazelwood, The Love Hypothesis follows Olive (Lili Reinhart), a brilliant Ph.D. candidate focused on her future in academia. But when she realizes her best friend Anh (Rachel Marsh) has fallen for her crush Jeremy (Nicholas Duvernay), Olive impulsively kisses intimidating professor Adam Carlsen (Tom Bateman) to prove she’s moved on. What begins as a desperate act of friendship spirals into a fake relationship with rules, boundaries, and a mutually beneficial agreement. When their arrangement begins to blur the lines between performance and reality, Olive is forced to test her most daunting hypothesis yet: that love might actually be worth the risk.

Director: Claire Scanlon
Producer: Elizabeth Cantillon, Jonathan Golfman
Screenwriter: Sarah Rothschild
Distributor: Prime Video
Production Co: Amazon MGM Studios
Rating: R
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 23, 2026
Runtime: 1h 50m

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