Everything We Know About The Love Hypothesis Movie Starring Lili Reinhart

Piners, yearners, and lovers, rise up. After what has felt like a centuries-long romantic dry spell, it appears we’re finally entering a rom-com renaissance. A flurry of YA book-to-television adaptations is filling our screens — and our hearts — proving that studio execs may have finally cracked the code for what makes a swoon-worthy love story. The latest gem in this resurgence? The Love Hypothesis. Adapted from Ali Hazelwood’s best-selling novel, it follows Olive Smith — a third-year PhD candidate with a fiercely guarded heart — and young professor, Dr Carlsen, as they embark on a fake relationship that challenges both their theories and their scepticism in love. From what began as fanfiction based on the Star Wars characters Rey and Kylo Ren, the final story was adapted into a modern tale, with rounds of casting taking place in July 2025. Here’s everything we know about The Love Hypothesis so far. When will The Love Hypothesis be released? Prime Video has just confirmed The Love Hypothesis will be released on September 23, 2026. You will be able to watch it on Prime Video. What is The Love Hypothesis about? Dubbed by #BookTok as a STEM romance, the film centres around Olive Smith (Lili Reinhart), a third-year PhD candidate at Stanford University, who begins a fake relationship with brooding yet brilliant professor, Dr Adam Carlsen (Tom Bateman), in a bid to prove to a friend that she’s over her ex. As their trope-filled arrangement unfolds, their fake feelings begin to develop into something real, and the pair are forced to face their vulnerabilities, feelings, and undeniable attraction, throwing everything they thought they knew about love into disarray. Who will be in The Love Hypothesis movie? In mid-2025, Deadline announced that beloved Riverdale alum Lili Reinhart would be stepping into the shoes of Olive Smith, while also serving as an executive producer on The Love Hypothesis. Since then, Reinhart has been dropping some behind-the-scenes teasers and first-look content on her TikTok, keeping fans on their toes. Joining her as the brooding Dr Adam Carlsen is Tom Bateman (Death on the Nile). The film will be directed by American filmmaker Claire Scanlon, with Ali Hazelwood herself lending her world-building expertise as an executive producer. Is there a trailer for The Love Hypothesis? While no official trailer has been released for the film adaptation of Ali Hazelwood’s The Love Hypothesis, Prime Video recently released a teaser alongside some first-look footage in a sizzle reel showcasing the streaming platform’s upcoming releases. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Prime Video (@primevideo) Want more? Sign up for our newsletter to get the best of Refinery29 Entertainment straight to your inbox. Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?Off Campus Is Steamy & Surprisingly SensitiveEverything We Know About Off CampusThe ACOTAR & BlackMilk Collab Is A Dream Come True

Jun 12, 2026 - 21:04

Everything We Know About The Love Hypothesis Movie Starring Lili Reinhart

Piners, yearners, and lovers, rise up. After what has felt like a centuries-long romantic dry spell, it appears we’re finally entering a rom-com renaissance. A flurry of YA book-to-television adaptations is filling our screens — and our hearts — proving that studio execs may have finally cracked the code for what makes a swoon-worthy love story. The latest gem in this resurgence? The Love Hypothesis. Adapted from Ali Hazelwood’s best-selling novel, it follows Olive Smith — a third-year PhD candidate with a fiercely guarded heart — and young professor, Dr Carlsen, as they embark on a fake relationship that challenges both their theories and their scepticism in love.

From what began as fanfiction based on the Star Wars characters Rey and Kylo Ren, the final story was adapted into a modern tale, with rounds of casting taking place in July 2025.

Here’s everything we know about The Love Hypothesis so far.

When will The Love Hypothesis be released?

Prime Video has just confirmed The Love Hypothesis will be released on September 23, 2026. You will be able to watch it on Prime Video.

What is The Love Hypothesis about?

Dubbed by #BookTok as a STEM romance, the film centres around Olive Smith (Lili Reinhart), a third-year PhD candidate at Stanford University, who begins a fake relationship with brooding yet brilliant professor, Dr Adam Carlsen (Tom Bateman), in a bid to prove to a friend that she’s over her ex.

As their trope-filled arrangement unfolds, their fake feelings begin to develop into something real, and the pair are forced to face their vulnerabilities, feelings, and undeniable attraction, throwing everything they thought they knew about love into disarray.

Who will be in The Love Hypothesis movie?

In mid-2025, Deadline announced that beloved Riverdale alum Lili Reinhart would be stepping into the shoes of Olive Smith, while also serving as an executive producer on The Love Hypothesis. Since then, Reinhart has been dropping some behind-the-scenes teasers and first-look content on her TikTok, keeping fans on their toes. Joining her as the brooding Dr Adam Carlsen is Tom Bateman (Death on the Nile). The film will be directed by American filmmaker Claire Scanlon, with Ali Hazelwood herself lending her world-building expertise as an executive producer.

Is there a trailer for The Love Hypothesis?

While no official trailer has been released for the film adaptation of Ali Hazelwood’s The Love Hypothesis, Prime Video recently released a teaser alongside some first-look footage in a sizzle reel showcasing the streaming platform’s upcoming releases.