Ali Hazelwood’s The Love Hypothesis, a quirky, heartwarming STEM romance, took the world by storm in 2021. Now, the beloved book-to-movie adaptation is officially in the works, sending fans into a frenzy of anticipation.
Whether you’re a longtime fan of Adam and Olive or just discovering this academic love story, here’s everything you need to know about The Love Hypothesis movie, including casting announcements, expected release timeline, and how closely the film will follow the book.
What is The Love Hypothesis About?
The Love Hypothesis follows Olive Smith, a PhD candidate in biology, who impulsively kisses the aloof and intimidating professor Dr. Adam Carlsen to convince her best friend she’s dating someone. What begins as a fake dating arrangement turns into something real as their chemistry grows, leading to unexpected vulnerabilities, academic rivalries, and swoon-worthy moments.
The book quickly became a BookTok favorite, especially among fans of STEMinist romance, and solidified Hazelwood as a modern romance icon.
Official Cast Revealed
Lili Reinhart (best known from Riverdale) has been officially cast as Olive Smith, announced July 16. She will also serve as executive producer on the film.
Then on July 17, Tom Bateman (notably from Murder on the Orient Express) was confirmed as Dr. Adam Carlsen, the brooding professor opposite Olive.
A delightful twist: Bateman is married to Daisy Ridley, who played Rey—and The Love Hypothesis originally began as Reylo fan fiction.
🎥 Behind-the-scenes creative team:
- Director: Claire Scanlon (Set It Up, Abbott Elementary)
- Producers: Elizabeth Cantillon (Bisous Pictures), alongside Ali Hazelwood, Lili Reinhart, and Catherine Hagedorn
- Screenplay: Sarah Rothschild
When Will The Love Hypothesis Movie Be Released?
As of mid-2025, no official release date has been announced. However, insiders suggest it will likely be a 2025 or early 2026 release, possibly through a major streaming platform like Netflix or Amazon Prime.
Will the Movie Be Different from the Book?
Book-to-movie adaptations often come with changes, but Hazelwood has confirmed in interviews that she is working with the screenwriters to retain the essence of Olive and Adam’s story. Some scenes may be condensed, but the film is expected to preserve:
- The power imbalance discourse
- Olive’s science-driven worldview
- The strong female friendships
Final Thoughts: Will the Movie Live Up to the Book?
It’s always a risk adapting a well-loved book, especially one with such a passionate fanbase. But with Ali Hazelwood’s creative input, a promising cast, and a screenplay that seems to honor the book’s balance of humor, love, and vulnerability, there’s good reason to be excited.
Whether you’re new to The Love Hypothesis or re-reading it in anticipation, the upcoming movie promises to deliver a romantic, witty, and smart take on love in academia.
