IMDb 6.2 2021 HD

The Hating Game

The Hating Game

2021
Comedy Drama Romance
102 min R USA
7.3 / 10
6.2 IMDB

Resolving to achieve professional success without compromising her ethics, Lucy embarks on a ruthless game of one-upmanship against cold and efficient nemesis Joshua, a rivalry that is complicated…

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director Peter Hutchings
Starring
Lucy Hale / Austin Stowell / Corbin Bernsen / Sakina Jaffrey / Damon Daunno / Yasha Jackson / Shona Tucker / Kathryn Boswell

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

charming witty predictable enjoyable romantic fun chemistry sweet light engaging pleasant familiar

Reviews

C
Chloe Davies
Apr 1, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

In 'The Hating Game', Lucy Hale and Austin Stowell are tasked with selling a familiar enemies-to-lovers narrative, and they largely succeed. Hale is effervescent as the ambitious Lucy, while Stowell offers a cool counterpoint as Joshua. The film's…

T
Thomas Ashton
Apr 1, 2026
4.5 / 5
4.5

For fans of the novel, 'The Hating Game' is likely to be a deeply satisfying adaptation. The chemistry between Lucy Hale and Austin Stowell is palpable, transforming their antagonistic relationship into something genuinely compelling. Hale brings a vibrant…

I
Isabelle Dubois
Apr 1, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

While 'The Hating Game' boasts a likeable lead in Lucy Hale, the film struggles to inject genuine surprise into its well-worn romantic comedy formula. The supposed 'ruthless game' between Hale's Lucy and Austin Stowell's Joshua often feels more…

M
Marcus Bellweather
Apr 1, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

This adaptation of 'The Hating Game' successfully captures the electric tension of its source material. Lucy Hale is perfectly cast, embodying Lucy's ambition and vulnerability with infectious energy. Austin Stowell plays Joshua with a compellingly cool demeanour that…

E
Eleanor Vance
Apr 1, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

Lucy Hale leads with a feisty charm in 'The Hating Game', a workplace rom-com that thrives on its central, simmering animosity. Her clashes with Austin Stowell's stoic Joshua are the film's engine, generating sparks that belie their professional…

FAQs

The film's plot summary indicates a 'ruthless game of one-upmanship' between Lucy and Joshua, suggesting their rivalry is indeed quite intense. This competitive spirit is central to their dynamic, driving much of the conflict and humour. However, this intensity is also framed as the very thing that complicates their developing attraction, implying a push-and-pull that keeps the audience invested in their evolving relationship.