The Lie

Only real reason I'm writing this is to counter everyone else's absurdly angry reviews. This was a decent story, well acted, and no I didn't know where it was going. I went along with the ride. People are mad at the plot because the parents did stupid things... well, people do stupid things. Isn't that the point? Also, if a movie inspired a reaction from you... isn't that also the point?

The Lie is one of those movies that makes you question everything you just saw. The plot kicks off with a simple premise: a teenage girl does something terrible, and her parents get caught up in a web of lies trying to cover it up. But it goes way beyond that, dragging you into darker places as the story unfolds. You keep thinking you know where things are headed, but then the movie throws twists that make you wonder if you really know any of these characters. It's a slow-burn, for sure, but if you like thrillers that dive into family secrets and push people's morals, this one has some strong, tense moments. It's definitely a movie you end up talking about afterward.

I've got three teenagers, and by experience, you don't need a movie to remind you that they can be obnoxiously rebellious and unpredictable. "The Lie" takes that to an extreme where the parents make very stupid decisions to cover up their daughter's misdeeds.

The majority of the movie is protecting that lie to harrowing results. The finale is a face-palm moment where you think, as a potential parent, that "I would've done that so different!" Or maybe not?

I find it hard to rate a movie when the first ~90% of the film is excellent, well-acted and extremely watchable. I also get very angry when so much effort is made to produce a great film only to ruin it with an ending that's so far-fetched that it feels a troll wrote it.

I was drawn to this film because the premise looked good and one of the leads was Mireille Enos (who I absolutely adore: have seen her work in 'The Killing', 'Hanna', 'Good Omens' and 'World War Z').

Enos, Peter Sarsgaard and Joey King were brilliant and compelling in their performances. The first ~90% of the film was easily an 8 rating. The atrocious ending which lasted (if I recall) about 10 minutes was a 1 rating. The final actions of the daughter were inline with the plot. I didn't have an issue with this and I think most viewers would agree when they really think about it. The entire premise is built around the choices a teen makes...

It is the actions of the parents during the final minutes that leave you questioning the worth of this film.

Should you watch this? I think yes (though my overall rating is a 5 but the first 90% of the film is an 8). The drama is superb, Enos & Sarsgaard were incredible, and out of a 90 minute film - I'm certain you'll love (and be glued into) the first 80 minutes of it. Just be prepared for the crash and burn landing.

A load of rubbish. From the beginning it's one unrealistic thing after another. The parents act in unbelievably stupid ways. The girl acts in unbelievably stupid ways. That's it.