The Hating Game

Lucy Hutton works hard to rise in her publishing company without bending her ethics. She plays by the book and believes integrity matters as much as ambition. Her daily routine collides with Joshua Templeman, her office nemesis, who meets every conference room with cool efficiency and a laser focused glare. They are trapped in a longstanding competition that makes even routine tasks feel like strategic moves. They swap clever tactics, exchange barbed comments, and try to gain ground in the cramped, brightly lit world of deadlines and drafts. Yet as the clash wears on, the lines between rivalry and attraction begin to blur. A spark grows amid the snappy banter, tipping the balance between work and desire. Their competition becomes a mirror for what they want in life beyond work.

Directed by Peter Hutchings, the film adapts The Hating Game by Sally Thorne with Christina Mengert handling screenwriting. It delivers Lucy Hale and Austin Stowell in the leads, infusing fast dialogue, witty physical humor, and palpable on screen tension into the romance.

Box office data is not provided here, so I can't share domestic or worldwide numbers. The movie is generally treated as a cute mid range romantic comedy that prioritizes character dynamics over blockbuster spectacle.

There are no widely reported major awards or nominations for this title. It tends to be discussed in the context of light hearted romance adaptations rather than awards circuits. The performances, especially Hale and Stowell, receive praise for lively chemistry, timing, and the way they navigate the material.

Reception centers on witty banter and warm mood, with critics noting the film's emphasis on ethics and boundaries in a workplace romance. It treats affection as earned, pairing humor with small emotional beats rather than heavy drama, making it accessible while still delivering a satisfying payoff.