Lili Reinhart revealed that she looked to ’90s rom-coms for inspiration while method dressing for The Love Hypothesis. If there is one genre that is easy to watch and always leaves one with giggles and butterflies, then it is rom-coms. If there is one genre that is effortlessly charming and always leaves viewers with giggles and butterflies, it is the rom-com. The charm only grows when a beloved book makes its way to the screen.

With BookTok fueling the popularity of fictional romances and book boyfriends, more love stories are finding new life in film adaptations. That is exactly where The Love Hypothesis comes in, bringing Ali Hazelwood’s beloved romance to the big screen with Reinhart stepping into the role of Olive Smith. As the film takes shape, Reinhart has found a way to channel the romantic comedies that helped define the genre.

And for Reinhart, dressing the part meant looking back at the rom-coms that came before.

In a world where fans are done with seeing rom-com actors setting the pretense of them dating each other, Lili Reinhart and Tom Bateman are doing just the opposite with The Love Hypothesis promotions. And Reinhart has been slaying the same with her looks which are perfect ode to the 90s queens of the rom-coms.

Appearing recently on HitsRadio, Reinhart was asked to explain the thought behind donning one iconic look after another. And her intent here was nothing but to pay homage to those who came before Olive Smith, the ones she grew up seeing and adoring.

"I really wanted to pay homage to iconic leading ladies of romance and rom-coms of the 1990s and early 2000s when so many incredible ladies were leading these films that I grew up watching," she said.

She explained that every look has involved months and months of planning with her designer, Abe, before she hit the promotions. From a Jawbreaker-inspired cardigan-and-mini-skirt look to Kate Hudson’s iconic yellow dress from How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Reinhart has turned the tour into a rom-com rewind. She also channeled Drew Barrymore’s Ever After and Keira Knightley’s emerald Atonement gown, making each appearance another cinematic homage.

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And while Reinhart’s references come from the rom-coms of the past, Bateman’s connection to The Love Hypothesis comes from somewhere far less expected.

While speaking with ELLE, Tom Bateman opened up about the rather unexpected Star Wars connection surrounding his casting in The Love Hypothesis. The actor admitted that he was unaware the novel had originated as Reylo fan fiction, inspired by Daisy Ridley’s Rey and Adam Driver’s Kylo Ren, when he was offered the role of Dr. Adam Carlsen.

Director Claire Scanlon was the one who eventually pointed out the connection to him, which became even more amusing given that Bateman is married to Ridley. Bateman later told his wife about the book, only to discover that she was not aware of its origins either.

“I can see now, looking back, where the inspiration comes from. But no, I didn’t know,” he said.

Based on Ali Hazelwood’s bestselling novel, The Love Hypothesis follows Olive Smith (Lili Reinhart), a Ph.D. candidate who impulsively kisses intimidating professor Adam Carlsen (Tom Bateman) and ends up agreeing to a fake relationship with him. As the trailer and promotional appearances have rolled out, fans have particularly responded to Reinhart and Bateman’s chemistry and the adaptation’s recreations of beloved book moments. The rom-com is set to premiere globally on Prime Video on September 23, 2026.

With its ’90s rom-com nods, unexpected Reylo connection, and much-anticipated cast, The Love Hypothesis is shaping up to be a love story steeped in pop-culture nostalgia.

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What do you think about Lili Reinhart homage to the 90s rom-com ladies? Let us know in the comments below.