Taylor Swift’s ‘Patient Zero’ Music Video Has Fans Asking: Is It Connected to ‘Verity’?
The music video's twist ending has viewers convinced it previews the buzzy book-to-film thriller
Key Takeaways
- Taylor Swift’s “Patient Zero” music video sparked fan theories about a connection to ‘Verity.’
- Dakota Johnson’s starring role in both projects is fueling the speculation.
- There’s no confirmation that “Patient Zero” will appear in ‘Verity’—yet.
The music video for “Patient Zero” by Taylor Swift premiered at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) and fans are already speculating about what it means and which Easter eggs were in it. One theory that’s gaining traction claims that Swift’s new song will appear in the new book-to-screen adaptation of Verity, the bestselling thriller by Colleen Hoover, and we have to say the evidence is pretty convincing. To learn more, keep scrolling!
First, what is ‘Patient Zero’ about?
“Patient Zero” was released on Friday, September 25. It was part of Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore edition and had more than 13.7 million streams globally on Spotify on the day of its release.
“About a year ago, you guys did a truly unfathomable thing. Something that completely blew my mind… You gave The Life of a Showgirl the biggest first week for an album in history. I took a trip to Sweden to celebrate with Max [Martin] and Shellback, my two collaborators on this album. Really we just wanted to reflect and take in how grateful we were for the moment we were in, but there was a studio there and we did what we do when we feel anything at all: We wrote more songs,” Swift said of the album. “I hope you love them, because they were born out of pure gratitude for your exuberance for and celebration of the album we made.”
Following that, the Grammy Award-winning singer announced she would be releasing a music video for “Patient Zero” starring A-list actors Dakota Johnson and Colin Farrell, and that it would air for the first time at the VMAs, where Swift won Best Direction for her music video “Opalite,” Video of the Year for “The Fate of Ophelia” and the first-ever Artist Director Honors, which was presented to her by Johnson.
“I want to thank Dakota Johnson and Colin for trusting me with their time, taste, and talent (Giggling with your friend because you’re twinning for an entire shoot was a new and truly delightful experience). And Colin’s turn as a villain is even more impressive when you get to be around him. He’s an absolute light and as kind as they come,” Swift wrote on Instagram. “With the Patient Zero video, I got to explore the cinematic and literary genres I love so much. I wanted to incorporate elements of gothic ghost stories, true crime, psychological thrillers all in a setting I hadn’t really shot in much. The house was a metaphor for the coldness of a relationship that’s faded and atrophied.”
Why fans think ‘Patient Zero’ will be in the ‘Verity’ movie
Following the release of the music video, readers and Swift fans began to speculate that the “Patient Zero” song would be in the Verity movie.
Verity is based on Hoover’s bestselling book of the same name. It follows Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer who is hired to finish a book series by bestselling author Verity Crawford, who is incapacitated due to a car accident. Upon arriving at Verity’s office, Lowen discovers an unpublished manuscript written by Verity that details what exactly happened during that tragic death of her children. The movie will star Johnson as Lowen and Anne Hathaway as Verity. Josh Hartnett also appears in the film as Jeremy Crawford, Verity’s husband and Lowen’s love interest.
So, what does all of that have to do with the music video? In addition to the fact that Johnson stars in both the video and the film, the two have a few other similarities as well. Both feature two women who fall for the same toxic man and the first woman tries to warn the second.
“Why do I feel like this song is going to play in the Verity movie? Dakota Johnson being in the music video wasn’t a coincidence—or am I just crazy?” One TikTok user wrote.
Another said, “Okay, but this video is SO Verity-coded. Not to mention Dakota Johnson (who is in Verity) is in it. Is it connected somehow or just a VERY similar plot?! I’m mind blown.”
So, what’s the truth? As of publication, there is no news on whether “Patient Zero” will be in the Verity movie, but since the movie releases in theaters this Friday, we won’t have to wait that long to find out.
Prior to this, Swift has released a variety of other songs for movies, including “Safe and Sound” for The Hunger Games, “Carolina” for Where the Crawdads Sing, “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” for Fifty Shades Darker and “I Knew It, I Knew You” for Toy Story 5.
Ready for more? Subscribe to our YouTube channel for video podcasts, health tips and uplifting stories designed for women 40, 50, 60 and beyond.
Conversation
All comments are subject to our Community Guidelines. Woman's World does not endorse the opinions and views shared by our readers in our comment sections. Our comments section is a place where readers can engage in healthy, productive, lively, and respectful discussions. Offensive language, hate speech, personal attacks, and/or defamatory statements are not permitted. Advertising or spam is also prohibited.
