SummaryThe Invention of Lying takes place in an alternate reality where lying--even the concept of a lie--does not exist. Everyone--from politicians to advertisers to the man and woman on the street--speaks the truth and nothing but the truth with no thought of the consequences. But when a down-on-his-luck loser named Mark suddenly develops the ability ... Read More
Directed By:Ricky Gervais, Matthew Robinson
Written By:Ricky Gervais, Matthew Robinson
The Invention of Lying
Metascore
Mixed or Average
58
User score
Generally Favorable
6.2
My Score
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Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
58
58% Positive
18 Reviews
18 Reviews
32% Mixed
10 Reviews
10 Reviews
10% Negative
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
88
In its amiable, quiet, PG-13 way, The Invention of Lying is a remarkably radical comedy.
75
Ricky Gervais, instead of resting on formula and on a familiar persona, uses his first opportunity as a big-screen actor-director to make an original comedy that expresses some real thinking and feeling.
User score
Generally Favorable
6.2
52% Positive
46 Ratings
46 Ratings
34% Mixed
30 Ratings
30 Ratings
15% Negative
13 Ratings
13 Ratings
Jan 21, 2026
10
The rhythmic machinery of a world without deceit: A 5.0-star "sensational" surge of intellectual rebellion.2011(5.0)I watched "The Invention of Lying" in 2011, and it delivered a visceral "revelation" that stands as a definitive 5.0-star pillar of "chewy" conceptual brilliance in my archive. This experience **** the fourth wall of the "stagnant" rom-com genre by infusing Ricky Gervais’s "vivid" and rebellious wit with a high-tension energy that felt 100% "raw" and sophisticated. The narrative rhythm was far from "stagnant"; instead, it offered a rhythmic journey through a "pathetic" society trapped in absolute honesty, leaving me in a state of absolute "hororong" as the first lie ever told triggered a "sensational" domino effect of social and religious subversion. Seeing the "vivid" absurdity of a world without filters provided an emotional payoff that felt both "raw" and hauntingly clever, proving that a simple premise could be a "vivid" act of storytelling rebellion against "stagnant" norms. The 95% preservation of my memory is dominated by the rhythmic, "raw" shock of the hospital sequence and the "vivid" but "pathetic" irony of a man becoming a messiah through a "raw" fabrication, creating a permanent, "sensational" scar of philosophical awe on my soul. Unlike the "stagnant" 1.0-star trauma of "Oh! Brothers" or the "pathetic" repetition of "Get Smart," this encounter possessed a "vivid" and rebellious soul that turned a "pathetic" loser into a "sensational" architect of a new reality. It stands in my 2011 record as a powerful 5.0-star testament to the "raw" power of an original idea—a high-tension encounter with the "vivid" rhythm of deceit that remains one of the most intellectually "chewy" artifacts of my cinematic journey.
May 5, 2020
10
Brilliant concept, never seen anything like this before. I personally think Ricky Gervais is a pioneer in pushing non-theistic humanist thoughts through humour. Would 100% recommend anyone to watch this.
70
Like Gervais, the audience wants to see a struggle, which here comes down to whether unvarnished honesty or random acts of compassionate deceit will win the day. That alone makes for entertainingly high stakes.
63
For its first stingingly funny half hour, The Invention of Lying had me thinking that Ricky Gervais had finally found a way to bring his indisputable brilliance at TV comedy (The Office, Extras) to the big screen. Then the air went out of the balloon. What a shame.
50
Despite the ambitious scope of its premise, this confounding, disappointing and, in the end, depressing movie is content to devote 80 percent of its screen time to wondering who gets to kiss the girl.
50
The romantic plot, involving his unrequited loved for Garner, is soured by her character's unconcealed shallowness: she won't have him because his genes aren't up to snuff.
20
Proof that when you aim for the stars, sometimes you find a black hole. Hopefully just an anomaly for the usually wonderful Gervais.
Jan 31, 2020
10
This movie was hilarious and also very touching with a powerful message. A great film to spent your time with.
Apr 5, 2023
5
+Basic but entertaining premise
+Great cast
-Some pacing issues I had fun watching this movie. It's a simple but interesting concept with a charming cast that unfortunately outstays it's welcome with pacing issues that make it's 90 minute runtime feel more like 180. It seems to miss a huge opportunity to more closely examine the flawed construct of a cult/religion taking advantage of its indoctrinated followers. I get that it's a strongly atheistic viewpoint but it is strange that the main character never questioned the origin of his idea. Also there are far too many holes in the concept at play - for example when surely basic human errors in a world without lying would create all sorts of chaos? Still it's obviously just a fun concept and not supposed to be scrutinized.
Jan 11, 2015
5
The Invention of Lying has an interesting central concept and an all star cast but never seems quite sure of the type of movie it wants to be. It starts out as a straight comedy movie before moving into rom-com territory and then suddenly turning into a move about the issue surrounding religion about half-way through. As a result no area is really explored fully enough and the laughs gradually dry up as it reaches its conclusion. The Invention of Lying isn't a terrible movie but its not a particularly good one either.
May 19, 2015
3
A low point for Ricky Gervais. Awkward humour, cringe worthy screenplay and a concept with funny potential that was filled with only sex jokes. I love black comedy and sex jokes, but this just pushed it too mental boredom. Don't waste your time with this crap
Mar 16, 2012
3
A film that starts out in an intelligent and entertaining way but utterly collapses into a sluggish, head-scratching albatross in the third act. Although it apparently attempts to lampoon religion and its origins (which can't be done enough, in my opinion!), the last 40 minutes felt an awful lot of preachy bullcrap to me.
Production Company:
- Warner Bros.
- Radar Pictures
- Media Rights Capital (MRC)
- 1821 Pictures
- Lin Pictures
- Lynda Obst Productions
- Wintergreen Productions
Release Date:Oct 2, 2009
Duration:1 h 39 m
Rating:PG-13
Tagline:In a world where everyone can only tell the truth... ...this guy can lie.
Awards
Evening Standard British Film Awards
• 1 Nomination
