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The Invention of Lying

Play trailer Poster for The Invention of Lying PG-13 2009 1h 39m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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56% Tomatometer 186 Reviews 39% Popcornmeter 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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The Invention of Lying

The Invention of Lying

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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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Critics Reviews

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Deborah Ross The Spectator 08/30/2018
Not funny or surreal enough to distract you from its shortcomings and not subversive enough, if at all, to actually have something to say. Go to Full Review Giles Hardie Sydney Morning Herald 02/06/2018
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. Go to Full Review Ed Koch The Atlantic 01/17/2018
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. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Sep 1
2.5/4
I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t worth your time. Go to Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review 08/30/2023
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. Go to Full Review Jason Best Movie Talk 11/27/2020
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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Stephen C @bob25009 Jul 12 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. See more Vivienne G @RT56324379 Jun 28 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. See more Mike O. @meosborne54 Mar 19 Unfunny. Couldn’t wait for it to end. See more Arvin C @ArvinClass Jan 7 It's great. Watch it. See more Michael H @RT92357546 08/15/2025 I think too many of the negative reactions to this witty and original little movie are motivated by the fun he pokes at religion, which is easy to mock. The roles of lying, truth telling, credulity, and religious authority, are woven together nicely in this entertaining film. See more Leaf L @RT77668409 07/04/2025 Goofy lil movie. dont knock it till you try it 70/100 See more Read all reviews
The Invention of Lying

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Cast & Crew

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Ricky Gervais

Director

Matthew Robinson

Director

Ricky Gervais

Mark Bellison

Jennifer Garner

Anna McDoogles

Jonah Hill

Frank

Louis C.K.

Greg

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The Invention of Lying

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Movie Info

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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