The new film adaptation of ‘The Love Hypothesis’, a romantic comedy based on the popular BookTok novel by Ali Hazelwood, has premiered on Amazon Prime Video. Starring Lili Reinhart as Olive Smith and Tom Bateman as Dr. Adam Carlsen, and directed by Claire Scanlon, the movie has received varied responses from critics and has sparked discussion among fans of the original book regarding its fidelity to the source material.
While The Guardian characterised the film as lacking spark and relying on predictable tropes, Nine.com.au presented a contrasting view, suggesting the movie improves upon the book precisely because it deviates from it. This difference in opinion highlights the challenges of adapting beloved online content for the screen, particularly when changes are made to the original narrative.
The film joins a growing number of BookTok adaptations, with its release triggering a debate about how faithfully a screen version should adhere to its literary counterpart. Directed by Claire Scanlon, known for Netflix’s 2018 romcom wave, the screenplay was penned by Sarah Rothschild.
Creative Liberties and Critical Reception
According to The Guardian, ‘The Love Hypothesis’ comes across as ‘artlessly, almost lazily by the numbers’, citing a ‘faltering chain of tropes’ and stock characters. The outlet specifically pointed to one of the ‘flimsiest fake-dating plots’ in recent memory, describing the setup as somewhat convoluted and rushed, involving Olive’s quest to convince her friend Anh that she is in a relationship.
Despite these criticisms, The Guardian praised Lili Reinhart’s performance, describing her as the film’s ‘ace’. Reinhart, who plays biology PhD student Olive Smith, is noted for her ‘impressively expressive eyes’ and ability to portray a character who is both nerdy and conventionally beautiful, masking an underlying steeliness. However, the review suggested that the chemistry between Reinhart and Tom Bateman, who plays the brusque Dr. Adam Carlsen, was largely absent, describing Bateman’s portrayal as oscillating between an ‘unfeeling automaton and swoonworthy romantic hero’.
Conversely, Nine.com.au offered a more positive assessment, arguing that the movie is ‘actually better than Ali Hazelwood’s book because it commits what some readers would consider a cardinal sin: it doesn’t stay true to the novel’. The publication lauded director Claire Scanlon and writer Sarah Rothschild (with Hazelwood also credited as a writer on Nine.com.au’s report) for modifying key moments, such as replacing the ‘cringe-worthy lap scene’ and altering parts of the finale, which Nine.com.au believes made the film more ‘grounded and realistic’. Nine.com.au also retracted its initial skepticism about Bateman’s casting, praising his ‘utter perfection as Adam’ for capturing the character’s cold exterior and eventual tender heart.
From Fanfiction to Global Screen
The journey of ‘The Love Hypothesis’ from online fanfiction to a major motion picture reflects a significant trend in contemporary entertainment. The novel, a ‘BookTok sensation’, originated as Star Wars fanfiction known as ‘Reylo’, centered around Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), set in a university environment. This background is crucial for an international audience to understand the novel’s immense popularity and the passionate ‘digital fandoms’ surrounding such content, which increasingly influences what content major streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Video choose to adapt.
This phenomenon underscores the evolving landscape of content creation, where narratives born from individual creators and online communities can gain global traction, shaping the ‘streaming wars’ and the types of stories that resonate with diverse audiences. The material highlights that the film is part of a broader ‘wave of BookTok adaptations’, from ‘CoHo movies’ to ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’, signifying a cultural shift in how content is sourced and consumed worldwide.
Nine.com.au suggested that understanding the book’s fanfiction origins can help viewers appreciate the film’s ‘silly’, ‘unbelievable’, and ‘painfully Millennial’ aspects, which contribute to its charm. Despite the changes, the film aims to deliver the tenderness of a classic 90s romantic comedy, while still acknowledging its 2026 Prime Video Original identity and retaining beloved elements like the ‘famous Chapter 16’ from the novel.
As ‘The Love Hypothesis’ navigates its debut on Amazon Prime Video, its reception will likely serve as another case study in the ongoing discussion about book-to-screen adaptations and the expectations of dedicated fanbases. The industry will be watching how this movie, born from digital fandoms, performs with a global audience, influencing future decisions by streaming platforms in greenlighting projects from similar origins.
Image: The Guardian
Sources consulted
- The Guardian: The Love Hypothesis review – hit BookTok romcom lacks spark on screen
- Nine.com.au: This movie just committed a ‘cardinal sin’, and it’s going to divide viewers
- 9Now: Watch TODAY – Season 2026 – The Love Hypothesis’ gets screen adaptation
Livia Dorne covers film, television, music, and pop culture with a keen editorial perspective. She delivers engaging commentary, reviews, and behind-the-scenes insights that keep readers connected to the entertainment world. Her style blends critique with storytelling.
