The Good Liar
The Good Liar Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 12, 2026
Movie Overview: The Good Liar
| Movie | The Good Liar |
| Release Year | 2019 |
| Director | Bill Condon |
| Genre | Crime |
| Runtime | 109 minutes (1h 49m) |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Good Liar (2019) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.7/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Crime.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in The Good Liar are led by Helen Mirren . The supporting cast, including Ian McKellen and Russell Tovey , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
The Good Liar stands out as a strong entry in the Crime genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.
- Compelling performances from the main cast
- Strong visual storytelling and direction
- Well-structured Crime narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, The Good Liar has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Crime fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: The Good Liar
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2019, The Good Liar is a Crime film directed by Bill Condon, written by Jeffrey Hatcher. The narrative dives into the criminal underworld with a grounded sense of realism and complex morality. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Helen Mirren as Betty McLeish.
What Is the Story of The Good Liar?
The title 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.
How Is The Good Liar Structured?
- Opening Hook: The Good Liar establishes its world and central conflict efficiently, with Bill Condon introducing Helen Mirren as Betty McLeish in the opening act, and over its 109-minute runtime, the pacing proves deliberate.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Helen Mirren's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The climax brings the narrative threads together, with Helen Mirren's arc reaching resolution. Bill Condon's handling of the finale provides adequate resolution.
Ending Explained: The Good Liar
The Good Liar Ending Explained: Career con man Roy sets his sights on his latest mark: recently widowed Betty, worth millions. Directed by Bill Condon, this 2019 crime film stars Helen Mirren (Betty McLeish), alongside Ian McKellen as Roy Courtnay, Russell Tovey as Steven, Jim Carter as Vincent. With a 6.7/10 rating, the ending has divided audiences.
What Happens at the End of The Good Liar?
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.
Bill Condon's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Helen Mirren (Betty McLeish)'s journey. And he means to take it all.
How Does Helen Mirren (Betty McLeish)'s Story End?
- Helen Mirren: Helen Mirren's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
- Ian McKellen (Roy Courtnay): Ian McKellen's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Russell Tovey (Steven): Russell Tovey's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of The Good Liar Mean?
The Good Liar's ending attempts to resolve the major plot threads, though some narrative elements involving Helen Mirren may feel rushed. Bill Condon's final act has been both praised for its ambition and criticized for its execution. Based on 1,264 audience ratings, the consensus is that the ending is adequate but divisive.
The Good Liar Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is The Good Liar Based on a True Story?
Yes, The Good Liar draws from real criminal cases and investigative records. Directed by Bill Condon and starring Helen Mirren, this crime film explores how real events have been adapted into a dramatic narrative.
Real Story vs Movie Version of The Good Liar
The film takes creative liberties to strengthen its narrative. Certain scenes are likely dramatized to enhance emotional impact.
While inspired by real events, the narrative focuses more on storytelling than strict historical accuracy.
Accuracy Assessment: The Good Liar uses real-life inspiration as the foundation for a dramatized narrative. The film prioritizes thematic storytelling over strict documentary accuracy.
Who Should Watch The Good Liar?
Age Advisory: Rated R — not suitable for younger viewers.
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Crime films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Helen Mirren or the director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Box Office Collection: The Good Liar
| 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.
Where to Watch The Good Liar Online?
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Apple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeThe Good Liar Parents Guide & Age Rating
2019 AdvisoryWondering about The Good Liar age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Good Liar (2019) is 109 minutes (1h 49m). Directed by Bill Condon, the film runs for 109 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.7/10, and global performance metrics, The Good Liar is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2019 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Good Liar worth watching?
The Good Liar is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies. It has a verified rating of 6.7/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Good Liar parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Good Liar identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of The Good Liar (2019)?
The runtime of The Good Liar (2019) is 109 minutes (approximately 1h 49m).
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
