The Hating Game (2021)

The Hating Game is the kind of rom-com that reminds you why the genre works in the first place: it turns petty workplace warfare into a flirtation you can’t stop watching, all while keeping its heart in the right place. Lucy Hale and Austin Stowell have that crucial spark—equal parts irritation and inevitability—so every clipped exchange and lingering glance feels like a step closer to something neither wants to admit. Director Peter Hutchings keeps the tone bright and snappy, letting the story’s charm do the heavy lifting as it glides from enemies-to-lovers tension into genuine sweetness without getting bogged down. It’s definitely a glossy, formula-friendly ride (and it is R-rated for language and some sexual content), but if you like your romance served with sharp banter and real chemistry, this one goes down easy.

The Hating Game wants to be a frothy enemies-to-lovers office rom-com with enough bite to feel modern, and you can see the appeal in the setup and the clear attempt to bottle that romcom “sparring equals flirting” energy. The problem is it often plays like a formula you’ve already watched a dozen times, with a sugary tone that sandpapers down the sharp edges and makes the workplace rivalry feel more cute than convincing. Some of the gender dynamics can feel dated, so if you’re sensitive to romance built on power games and prickly behavior being treated as sexy, this may grate more than it charms. Still, Lucy Hale is likable and the leads do have moments of chemistry, so if you just want an easy, mildly steamy comfort watch and don’t need the story to surprise you, it’ll do the job.