The Love Hypothesis

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1:47

The Love Hypothesis

R

2026

1h 50m

Romance

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

73%

Tomatometer

66 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

Oct 6, 2026

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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Andrea Thompson

A Reel of One's Own

1 day ago

D

For a movie written and directed by women, it seems to miss the unspoken theme of its source material, and what drives many a female fantasy - a person in power who is unequivocally on your side.

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Archi Sengupta

LeisureByte.com

4 days 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

5 days 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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Pedro Henrique C

@Pedro2005 1 day ago

The Love Hypothesis (2026) We can say that this romance is quite simple and enjoyable, but like all films, it leaves the final resolution rushed until the very last minute.

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Annie M

@AnnieRayM 1 day ago

Cute and fun romance movie

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Howard M

@RT16604671 2 days ago

Different take on the “fake relationship” trope. Leads had great chemistry with Tom Bateman a real standout. Supporting cast was exceptional.

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John S

@LoneJohnny5 3 days ago

I haven't read the book, but I think the movie is very well done. Acting, screenplay and character believability are all very good.

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Caroline B

@RT21936901 3 days 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 3 days ago

It’s cute. Mostly because of Lili

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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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