Is The Good Liar Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, The Good Liar is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies.
It features a runtime of 109 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to mature audiences.
The Good Liar Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2019, The Good Liar emerges as a significant entry in the Crime domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of Career con man Roy sets his sights on his latest mark: recently widowed Betty, worth millions. Unlike standard genre fare, The Good Liar attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Crime is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Good Liar features a noteworthy lineup led by Helen Mirren . Supported by the likes of Ian McKellen and Russell Tovey , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Good Liar (2019) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.7/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
The Good Liar Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: The Good Liar is a Crime film that delves into the criminal underworld with gritty realism and moral complexity. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The film presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. Career con man Roy sets his sights on his latest mark: recently widowed Betty, worth millions. And he means to take it all. But as the two draw closer, what should have been another simple swindle takes on the ultimate stakes. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The film establishes its world and central conflict efficiently in the opening act.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The climax brings together the narrative threads, providing resolution while staying true to the established tone.
The Good Liar Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: The Good Liar concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to crime resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the crime themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Good Liar reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
The Good Liar Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
The Good Liar incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a crime film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: The Good Liar adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch The Good Liar?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Crime films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want solid genre entertainment
The Good Liar Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $10.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $33.9M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
The Good Liar Budget
The estimated production budget for The Good Liar is $10.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
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Full Cast & Crew of The Good Liar
- Helen Mirren – Betty McLeish
- Ian McKellen – Roy Courtnay
- Russell Tovey – Steven
- Jim Carter – Vincent
- Mark Lewis Jones – Bryn
Top Highlights
Helen MirrenBetty McLeish
Ian McKellenRoy Courtnay
Russell ToveySteven
Jim CarterVincent
Mark Lewis JonesBryn
Laurie DavidsonHans Taub (1948)
Phil DunsterRoy Courtnay (1948)
Lucian MsamatiBeni
Jóhannes Haukur JóhannessonVlad
Tunji KasimMichael
Where to Watch The Good Liar Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
JioHotstar🎟️ Rent on
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Amazon Video🏷️ Buy on
Apple TVGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeParents Guide & Age Rating
The Good Liar is rated R. Parents should be aware that it contains mature themes, violence. It is intended for mature audiences only.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.7/10, and global collection metrics, The Good Liar stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2019 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Good Liar movie hit or flop?
The Good Liar has received mixed reviews with a 6.7/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is The Good Liar worth watching?
The Good Liar is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Crime movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch The Good Liar online?
The Good Liar is currently available for streaming on JioHotstar. You can also check for it on platforms like JioHotstar depending on your region.
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Critic Reviews for The Good Liar
If you enjoy reading my Spoiler-Free reviews, please follow my blog @ https://www.msbreviews.com Exquisite performances from two all-time greats: Ian McKellen and Helen Mirren. They carry the whole film on their shoulders, and it's mostly due to their extremely captivating displays that I genuinely enjoyed this movie. Unfortunately, its screenplay lacks believability and some creativity since the key components of the story are predictable from the get-go. Rating: B
Great performances from both McKellan and Mirren which isn't surprising, but the final act with the reveal of the twist might've been unpredictable, but I like my mystery-thrillers to throw in some clues leading up to it, which this one was out of left field. For the performances might be worth checking out, but the plot almost undid all that was working up until the reveal. **2.75/5**
movieMx Verified
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
