Veteran actress, producer, and impressionist Anne-Marie Johnson continues to captivate audiences with her latest project, The Addiction of Hope. With a career spanning over four decades in television and film, Johnson’s ability to embody complex characters shines brighter than ever in this emotional and deeply human story.

Opening theatrically on Friday, November 14, 2025, The Addiction of Hope will have a seven-day run at the Laemmle Theatres across Los Angeles. The feature film—written and directed by Martin A. Gottlieb—has already garnered critical acclaim, including Best Feature at the 2025 Santa Fe Film Festival.

At its core, The Addiction of Hope explores the universal themes of age, race, gender, family, and the difficult choices people make in pursuit of happiness. Johnson stars as Joanne Stock, an aging actress forced to confront her past decisions and the true meaning of family when her sister, Lynnie (played by Harley Jane Kozak), falls ill.

When asked how she prepared for such a deeply emotional role, Johnson reflected on the experience:

“It’s interesting because some people who have seen the film ask me if it’s autobiographical, and I tell them, no, it’s not. Yes, a lot of experiences and situations that happen in the film have happened to me, but Jo is not me—I’m playing a character. The character’s journey through life is so familiar, so relatable, not just to me but to everyone. So it was kind of easy to get there with the character, although painful, because she goes through some challenging times. The writing was so good, I didn’t have to struggle to find the Jo in me.”

Unlike many Hollywood dramas, The Addiction of Hope dares to slow down and reflect, focusing on authenticity rather than spectacle. Johnson noted what makes the film stand apart:

“To be blunt, it features a woman of color who is not young. We don’t get those opportunities that often. That’s rare in this industry. There’s no violence and no sex—it’s a film about redemption and finding peace.”

For Johnson, the film’s message is both timely and timeless.

“It’s never too late to reevaluate where you are in life,” she shared. “It’s never too late to make significant changes in your life in order to find some happiness. It’s never too late to make decisions on your own terms and not let other people dictate what they think you should be doing.”

When asked, does she recall one of the film’s most emotionally powerful moments?

“Yes, there’s a scene where Jo finds out the truth about a mother’s love. Jo has to deal with the death of her mother,” she said.

Balancing her dual role as both producer and lead actress, Johnson embraced the opportunity as a test of endurance and faith in her own abilities.

“Working as a producer and the star of this film eliminated the fears that I used to have—could I handle a film, could I handle being number one on the call sheet, could I do that and produce at the same time? I had a lot of anxiety prior to filming, but I did it,” she explained. “I had to have more hope in my ability to handle things. I learned that I have a high tolerance for patience and empathy. I found my strength.”

The Addiction of Hope has been acquired by Random Media and will see a wider release in early 2026, but audiences in Los Angeles can experience it first from November 14th through November 20th.

For more information and ticket details, visit the film’s official Instagram page @theaddictionofhope.

With The Addiction of Hope, Anne-Marie Johnson not only delivers a tour de force performance but also reminds audiences of something profoundly simple yet powerful—it’s never too late to find peace, purpose, and hope.

#AnneMarieJohnson #TheAddictionOfHope #RedemptionStory

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