Love Hypothesis Review: Is the STEM Romance Adaptation Worth It?

Do you remember creating elephant toothpaste during your science experiments? You would mix water, yeast, soap, hydrogen peroxide, and food coloring, watching a vibrant foam tower erupt from a beaker. Eventually, the foam would fade, leaving behind only soapy water and the delightful memories of a brief but exciting chemistry adventure.

Experiencing The Love Hypothesis feels quite similar.

Based on Ali Hazelwood’s popular novel, which gained traction on BookTok, The Love Hypothesis explores the fake dating romance between biology PhD student Olive Smith (played by Lili Reinhart) and her professor, Adam Carlsen (portrayed by Tom Bateman). The film brims with chemistry, both in terms of relationships and the scientific kind, providing a lively spectacle that will leave you feeling exhilarated. despite the enjoyable moments and strong performances from the leads, The Love Hypothesis lacks a crucial element that would elevate its narrative: genuine yearning.

Experience the Magic of The Love Hypothesis, BookTok’s Beloved Fake Dating Story

Much like Hazelwood’s original work, which was inspired by her Reylo fanfiction, The Love Hypothesis cleverly incorporates various cherished romance tropes set against the backdrop of STEM academia, with fake dating being the most prominent.

Olive, a cheerful Stanford PhD candidate, is as sweet as the sugary coffees she adores. She is passionate about her research on pancreatic cancer and deeply values her friendships with fellow students Anh (Rachel Marsh), Jeremy (Nicholas Duvernay), and Malcolm (Jaboukie Young-White). Although Olive harbors feelings for Jeremy, she realizes he is interested in Anh, who, in turn, is hesitant to date Jeremy to avoid hurting Olive. To navigate this tricky situation, Olive decides to pretend to date someone else to convince Anh she has moved on from Jeremy.

Olive’s deception escalates when she kisses the first man she encounters in front of Anh, and that man is none other than the brilliant yet intimidating Dr. Adam Carlsen. Known for his demanding demeanor and a bluntness that borders on rudeness, he has earned the nickname “Dr. Evil.” His penchant for dressing exclusively in black only enhances his supervillain persona. (One musical cue associated with Adam humorously echoes “The Imperial March,” nodding to The Love Hypothesis‘s Star Wars roots.)

What could have been a recipe for disaster turns into an unexpected alliance when Adam agrees to assist Olive with her faux relationship. (Importantly, he was never her professor, which allows The Love Hypothesis to sidestep potential power dynamic issues.) This arrangement provides a chance for Anh and Jeremy to connect, while also benefiting Adam, who faces the risk of losing funding for his research due to concerns that he may leave Stanford. If the administration believes he is in a serious relationship, they might reconsider their decision. begins the journey of Olive and Adam’s faux romance, which, as is customary in romantic comedies, transforms into something more genuine.

For fans of The Love Hypothesis, you’ll be pleased to discover that the film, directed by Claire Scanlon (Set It Up), successfully captures many beloved aspects of the book, including Olive’s quirky unicorn socks during her and Adam’s memorable first night together, famously known as Chapter 16. You will also appreciate how Reinhart and Bateman bring the Olive-Adam chemistry to life. Reinhart fits seamlessly into the lineage of memorable romantic leads, balancing Olive’s endearing clumsiness—she tends to sweat profusely—with her deeper aspirations of proving herself and establishing a supportive community, needs shaped by her challenging experiences in the foster care system. Bateman, in contrast, delivers his lines with sharp precision, making his softer moments around Olive stand out even more.

The duo shines brightest during classic fake dating moments, where they must convincingly feign their love for one another. A hilarious coffee shop outing leads to delightful cringe-worthy moments, highlighted by Olive’s exaggerated attempts to fake laugh and flirt with a bewildered Adam. Yet, despite these entertaining early “dates” and the anticipation surrounding the infamous Chapter 16, the romantic tension in The Love Hypothesis begins to wane.

What’s Missing in The Love Hypothesis Is a Deeper Sense of Yearning

Tom Bateman and Lili Reinhart in “The Love Hypothesis.” Credit: Prime Video

Yearning is a fundamental element in any fake dating narrative, particularly when characters realize they may have developed genuine feelings for each other (think of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before). This moment brings an emotional weight and a delicious tension, as they grapple with the fear that acting on their feelings could jeopardize the authentic bond they’ve built. Unfortunately, The Love Hypothesis falls short in delivering this crucial aspect.

The film depicts Olive and Adam drawing closer through heartfelt conversations about Olive’s late mother, alongside a series of playful fake dates and Adam’s assistance with an important presentation. Yet, it seldom provides insight into their true emotions, failing to offer either character a moment of self-reflection regarding their growing romance. (This omission is particularly noticeable considering Hazelwood’s book immerses us in Olive’s thoughts throughout.)

Instead, the film seems to presume that viewers will make the emotional leap based on their familiarity with fake dating tropes. “He’s starving,” Malcolm quips, observing Adam’s passionate farewell kiss to Olive. that level of romantic hunger is difficult to find elsewhere in the film. By the time we reach Chapter 16, Olive and Adam’s intimate moment feels like a foregone conclusion rather than a hard-earned milestone. The same applies to their declarations of love in the film’s chaotic third act, which includes a jarring twist that may leave viewers feeling disoriented.

While The Love Hypothesis may not fully achieve its intended impact, it still exudes charm through the comedic chemistry displayed in Olive and Adam’s early “dates.” Much like the elephant toothpaste experiment, we will always cherish those explosive initial moments, even if we ultimately find ourselves with only the diluted remnants.

The Love Hypothesis premieres on September 23 on Prime Video.

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