Introduction
In 2021, Peter Hutchings directed The Hating Game, a romantic comedy film based on Sally Thorne’s novel of the same name. It stars Lucy Hale and Austin Stowell as two office competitors trapped in a game of hatred turned love.
Set in the cut-throat world of corporate publishing, The Hating Game features an enemies-to-lovers trope in the context of modern office politics, sharp wit, and emotional depth. The film showcases old-school rom-com charm with sharp banter and a sizzling chemistry between the leads, offering a treat to romance enthusiasts.
Plot Summary
In the movie, Lucy Hutton (Lucy Hale) works as an executive assistant in a publishing company called Bexley & Gamin, with an upbeat and warm demeanor. The company formed as a result of a merger between two starkly different companies, Gamin, a progressive and literary minded firm and Bexley, a corporate driven profit focused publisher. Lucy represents the Gamin side: artsy, passionate, and people-oriented. Her office rival, Joshua Templeman (Austin Stowell), is her complete opposite: serious, emotionally distant, and highly analytical, embodying everything Bexley stands for.
Their desks are side by side, but they are as good as a world apart, loathing each other and sharing nothing but icy stares and sarcasm. Their rivalry has become the stuff of legend, and now it’s a daily battle of passive-aggressive “games,” culminating in what is now known as “The Hating Game,” where neither party dares to shatter professional boundaries, but both make it their business to get under the other’s skin.
Both Josh and Lucy’s worlds shatter when they are both in line for the same promotion. Now the rivalry crosses both personal and professional boundaries, time only seems to make it worse, and the slow burn of their already intense relationship starts rapidly escalating. However, as they begin to spend more time together—and to learn about each other’s struggles—their simmering enmity unravels to reveal a confusing and conflicting attraction.
In Lucy’s case, this means to learn that as cold as Josh comes across, he is dealing with his own struggles. For Josh, learning more about Lucy means outright admiring her fierce, sharp, yet tender and emotional nature. Their physical flirtation evolves without warning into a passionate romance, leaving both of them shocked and unprepared.
But problems come up. For Lucy, her own uncertainty, workplace dynamics, and a romantic competitor in the form of Danny, a charming coworker who also likes her, pose problems for the budding relationship. The emotional climax of the story features emotional revelations and a decision between raking the risk of being vulnerable, or choosing emotional safety. Lucy has a decision on whether to trust her feelings, and for Josh, it means lowering his defenses to show that love isn’t a game—it’s a risk worth taking.
Characters and Performances
Lucy Hutton (Lucy Hale)
With her Lucy Hale brings charm, wit, and emotional depth to a character who could have been a one note romantic comedy character, and thus shines in the role. Her Lucy is quirky but not caricatured, and headstrong but not overbearing. She is balanced, a mixture of vulnerable and salty, and uses her face and comedic skills to bring joy to the screen.
Joshua Templeman (Austin Stowell)
Stowell portrays Josh with a reserved intensity that is the perfect compliment to Hale’s vivacity. He starts off the story as a rigid and unemotional character, but in a gradual process, he sheds the layers to show a sensitive and loyal man trapped behind a fortress of perfectionism. Along with Hale, he has a chemistry that is at the same time, both steamy and affectionate, which makes their back and forth dialogue delightful.
Danny (Damon Daunno)
Danny is the stereotypical “nice guy” as opposed to Josh; he is sweet, safe, and charming. While he offers warmth to Josh’s brooding persona, he ultimately fails to capture the emotional depth needed to compete for Lucy’s affections.
Themes and Analysis
- Enemies to Lovers
The Hating Game embraces the popular “enemies to lovers” trope and runs with it. It showcases how people tend to disguise deeper emotional turmoil and suppressed affection with hatred. The gradual unveiling of Lucy and Josh’s feelings for one another is a blend of laughter, sexual tension, and genuine emotional development.
- Perception vs. Reality
The juxtaposition of how people view each other and how they actually are serves as the overarching focal point of the film. Josh views Lucy as a frivolous, overly-emotional person and Lucy sees Josh as a cold-hearted robot. Both eventually lowering their defenses, come to accept that their impressions of each other were a result of their own vulnerabilities.
- Ambition and Identity
The workplace rivalry between Lucy and Josh serves as a backdrop for the exploration of ambition, professional identity, and self-worth. Amidst this competition, the two are driven by the same goal—a shared promotion, exposing their hidden insecurities and revealing personal growth.
- Trust and Vulnerability
In The Hating Game, the kisses between Lucy and Josh are not the focus of the tension. The real challenge is whether the couple can fully open up to each other. The movie highlights how concealing oneself behind masks of sarcasm or professional personas brings about solitude.
Direction and Style
Peter Hutchings, the director, makes the film entertaining to watch as it maintains a breakneck speed and focuses on character-driven storytelling. The film is shot and edited to reflect the modern romantic comedy genre, with colorful and clean office spaces, sharp and polished outfits, and the intimate scenes showcase the couple and their growing chemistry.
The traditional style of direction allows the characters to be the center focus instead of artificial distractions, and there are no surrealist flourishes, or overly stylized sequences. The focus is on the dialogue and pacing, on the evolution of the emotional current between Lucy and Josh.
Reception and Audience Reaction
Critics and viewers praised The Hating Game, with particular rejoicing from the book’s readers. Lucy Hale received accolades for her acting, while their chemistry, alongside Austin Stowell’s, was praised for bringing to life a well-known plot.
Film critics appreciated how the movie stayed true to the source material. While some critics considered it too conventional for the genre, others praised it for its charm and sincerity.
The film has gained a dedicated following among romance fans, particularly for its clever dialogue and emotional depth, which sets it apart from other recent romantic comedies.
Conclusion
The Hating Game showcases a delightful combination of intelligence and sensuality blended with the traditional romantic comedy form. It illustrates how the rom-com genre can be refreshing and inventive when approached with skill, chemistry, and affection. Starring Lucy Hale and Austin Stowell, the film beautifully depicts the complex interplay of rivalry, romance, and the fragile boundary between love and hate.
The Hating Game goes beyond the flirtation and office banter by asking what it means to truly know someone. It invites the audience to consider what it looks like to surpass appearances, expectations, and insecurities, and fall in love with the individual hidden beneath. It’s a satisfying cinematic experience for fans of the genre, providing emotional and romantic fulfillment.
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