The Invention of Lying

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The Invention of Lying

PG-13

2009

1h 39m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

55%

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184 Reviews

39%

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250,000+ Ratings

Mark Bellison is a down-on-his-luck writer who lives in a world where falsehoods are completely unknown. When Mark suddenly develops the ability to lie, the notion that "honesty is the best policy" goes out the window, and he uses his newfound skill for personal gain.

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Critics Consensus

It doesn't quite follow through on its promise, and relies too heavily on shopworn romantic comedy tropes, but The Invention of Lying is uncommonly sly and funny.

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

Aug 30, 2018

Not funny or surreal enough to distract you from its shortcomings and not subversive enough, if at all, to actually have something to say.

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Giles Hardie

Sydney Morning Herald

Feb 6, 2018

1/5

Somewhere between a great concept and an awful script The Invention of Lying got lost in its own truth gimmick. But the truth is, it starts bad and just gets worse.

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Ed Koch

The Atlantic

Jan 17, 2018

I kid you not when I say I sat there wondering is there nothing more to this film? Am I overlooking something? I don't think so, and I couldn't wait for the lights to go up.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Sep 1, 2025

2.5/4

I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t worth your time.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Aug 30, 2023

3.5/4

[An] instantly original and at times ingenious for purporting moral and social discourse, as through the guise of a typical rom-com it confronts the audience with the very core of their beliefs and behaviors.

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Jason Best

Movie Talk

Nov 27, 2020

The Invention of Lying has some good gags... But the flat direction becomes wearisome and the story runs out of steam before it even reaches a romcom ending that is more sentimental than subversive.

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jerklaw T

@RT50699618 Oct 7, 2026

This movie was charming. Not the greatest thing I have ever seen but I don’t think it was meant to be. I think people assume with the religious plot that it’s meant to be in some way thought-provoking but I don’t think that’s the case at all.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 13, 2026

This movie = a *2* star Movie...

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Jul 12, 2026

The worldwide gross is $32,406,507.00 over a production budget of $18,500,000.00. Almost 2 times more than the costs of movie tickets.

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Vivienne G

@RT56324379 Jun 28, 2026

Not funny at all, no plot at all, tried WAY too hard to make it funny, awkward, only laughed because it was so bad. don't watch it i couldn't even finish the movie, im saving you the cost and time.

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Mike O.

@meosborne54 Mar 19, 2026

Unfunny. Couldn’t wait for it to end.

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Arvin C

@ArvinClass Jan 7, 2026

It's great. Watch it.

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Director

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Synopsis

Mark Bellison is a down-on-his-luck writer who lives in a world where falsehoods are completely unknown. When Mark suddenly develops the ability to lie, the notion that "honesty is the best policy" goes out the window, and he uses his newfound skill for personal gain.

Director: Ricky Gervais, Matthew Robinson
Producer: Lynda Obst, Oliver Obst, Ricky Gervais, Dan Lin
Screenwriter: Ricky Gervais
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Radar Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (Language|A Drug Reference|Some Sexual Material)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 2, 2009, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 1, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $18.4M
Runtime: 1h 39m

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