The Hating Game is a 2021 romantic-comedy film based on the novel of the same name by Sally Thorne. The movie follows Lucy Hutton, a quirky and cheerful executive assistant at a publishing company, who finds herself in direct competition with her arch-nemesis Joshua Templeman, a stern and efficient executive at the same company.
As the two compete for a promotion, they engage in a series of playful but intense games to outdo each other, including bizarre bets and escalating pranks. However, as Lucy starts to see Joshua in a new light, she struggles to reconcile her growing attraction to him with their cutthroat rivalry.
Despite their differences, Lucy and Joshua share a past that connects them more than they realize, and they must confront their deepest fears and insecurities to move forward in both their personal and professional lives.
The Hating Game stars Lucy Hale as Lucy Hutton, Austin Stowell as Joshua Templeman, and Gina Torres as their boss, Helene. The film was directed by Peter Hutchings and features a screenplay by Christina Mengert and Vanessa Gardenia.