Lies We Tell

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2:19

Lies We Tell

2023

1h 29m

Mystery & Thriller

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

15 Reviews

72%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

Ireland, 1864. Newly-orphaned heiress MAUD RUTHYN becomes ward of her notorious uncle, SILAS RUTHYN. Maud, grief-struck and proud, rejects support from her two trustees, Dr. BRYERLY and CAPTAIN ILBURY, and welcomes Silas, his children EMILY and EDWARD, and governess MADAME to her isolated manor. But the arrival of Maud's estranged family is in fact a malign home invasion. Silas plans to secure her inheritance for himself, and compel Maud to forfeit her position by marrying her cousin Edward--or dying. Threatened, betrayed, and outnumbered by Silas and his allies, teenaged Maud now has to fight for her birthright. Instead of breaking her, the escalating danger sparks gambit after gambit against her charming, dangerous uncle---and a final, murderous showdown. A subversive take on J.S. Le Fanu's gothic sensation novel: our Maud is anything but a victim.

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Donald Clarke

Irish Times

10/13/2023

3/5

The film feels brighter and bolder than would best suit the material. Happily, O’Casey’s strong presence offers much compensation.

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Leslie Felperin

Guardian

10/11/2023

4/5

It insightfully reworks some classic feminist literary notions, filtered through a very 21st-century approach to period material with its unsettling score, jittery editing and nods to horror tropes.

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Fionnuala Halligan

Screen International

07/19/2023

A singular performance by young talent Agnes O’Casey in the lead role gives this pretty period piece a serrated edge.

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Graeme Tuckett

The Post NZ

05/21/2025

4/5

A smart and acerbic piece of writing, beautifully put together and performed.

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Kevin Harley

Radio Times

01/30/2025

4/5

O'Casey delivers a compelling twist on the Victorian heroine, projecting controlled survivalist instincts in every withering stare.

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Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

09/17/2024

Though it remains within the bounds of old-fashioned period melodrama, Lies We Tell is pretty strong stuff…maybe a little too strong for those who expect something comparatively cozy...

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Julie C

@RT81239458 Jul 17

Brilliant. Emotionally accurate testament to the brutalities of womanhood under patriarchy.

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Ned N

@Nedskape Jul 9

The villains are all overplayed and the supposed heroine is underplayed. Like a block of wood, she sleeps while villains creep, apparently so brain-dead she does not realize she's being mentally and physically groped by uncle and cousin. No reaction whatever to seeing the other two couples fornicating in her house. So proper. So properly daft. If this is the standard for riveting entertainment in 2026 then the film world has slipped a cog in its moral values. Good night and good luck. Did not watch after the rape.

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Noel F

@RT75607646 Jun 21

Great concept for a thriller but feels anticlimactic given how much the main character is made to endure.

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Boast A

@RT99507563 Jun 12

I had to stop it part way through, as it's quite traumatic. However, so extremely well done, I watched it all. Fantastic.

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Jovana M.

@J_loves_movies May 22

What a tragic family drama full of suspense! Great watch - Ending was quite satisfying.

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SUSAN Z

@rokitlady May 17

When I saw this short movie had a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, I was compelled to watch it. UGH! I don't understand how such a devious plot could run out of energy during the second half of the movie. Our heroine is orphaned by her father's death. but that leads her to become the captive victim of an unscrupulous Uncle (her father's brother) and his two obnoxious children and their Nanny. The larceny and greed that is thrust upon her is sickening. But, she seems to accept the poor treatment as if she deserves it. Until she doesn't.

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Lisa Mulcahy

Director

Agnes O'Casey

Maud

David Wilmot

Silas

Chris Walley

Edward

Holly Sturton

Emily

Grainne Keenan

Madame

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Lies We Tell: Trailer 1

2:19

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Synopsis

Ireland, 1864. Newly-orphaned heiress MAUD RUTHYN becomes ward of her notorious uncle, SILAS RUTHYN. Maud, grief-struck and proud, rejects support from her two trustees, Dr. BRYERLY and CAPTAIN ILBURY, and welcomes Silas, his children EMILY and EDWARD, and governess MADAME to her isolated manor. But the arrival of Maud's estranged family is in fact a malign home invasion. Silas plans to secure her inheritance for himself, and compel Maud to forfeit her position by marrying her cousin Edward--or dying. Threatened, betrayed, and outnumbered by Silas and his allies, teenaged Maud now has to fight for her birthright. Instead of breaking her, the escalating danger sparks gambit after gambit against her charming, dangerous uncle---and a final, murderous showdown. A subversive take on J.S. Le Fanu's gothic sensation novel: our Maud is anything but a victim.

Director: Lisa Mulcahy
Producer: Ruth Carter
Screenwriter: Elisabeth Gooch, Sheridan Le Fanu, Elisabeth Gooch
Distributor: Quiver Distribution
Production Co: Blue Ink Films, Fís Éireann/Screen
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 13, 2024
Runtime: 1h 29m
Aspect Ratio: Digital 2.39:1