[Review] The Lie(2020) {5.5/10}

Written and Directed by Veena Sud, the film stars Joey King (Kayla), Peter Sarsgaard (Jay), Mireille Enos (Rebecca), Devery Jacobs (Brittany) and Cas Anvar (Sam Ifrani). The film is a remake of the 2015 German Film 'We Monsters'. Jason Blum serves as a producer under his Blumhouse banner.

The plot revolves around Jay (Peter Sarsgaard) and his daughter Kayla (Joey King) who are on their way to a dance camp. On the way, Kayla spots her friend Brittany (Devery Jacobs) waiting at a bus stop and Kayla insists that Jay stops to give her a ride. As they drive down a desolate country road, Brittany asks to stop so she can urinate. Both Kayla and Brittany go into the woods. After sometime, Jay hears a scream. He finds Kayla at a bridge and she tells her father that she just pushed Brittany off the bridge to her death. Jay tells Kayla's mother Rebecca (Mireille Enos) about the incident and the two work together to cover-up the crime and protect Kayla at any cost. Brittany's father begins to come around asking the whereabouts of his missing daughter and police detectives begin to grow increasingly suspicious of Jay and Rebecca.

The Lie has some moments that are incredibly difficult to turn away from but each plot point is more ludicrous than the next, all leading up to an ending that should rank among the all-time great fake-outs. There is plenty that's working--- the acting, the eerie, cold mood evoked by the direction but the deeper the story goes, the more slow and ridiculous it becomes. It all builds up to a conclusion that is so deranged and twisted that it almost, almost makes everything else worthwhile. The screenplay is weak which makes the movie slow. It would have been better if the story was a little bit fast-paced. While engaging at some moments, this movie's sum does not equal it's parts.

The Lie is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.