The Good Lie
7.4
The Good Lie fingerprint
Big heart, strong craft, low-key.
Energy
Calm and low-key
- Tension4
- Fast Pace4
- Adrenaline3
Heart
Deeply moving and hopeful
Much of it is about family and growing up.
- Pathos9
- Family Dynamics9
- Hopefulness8
Humor
Some sharp wit
Not a comedy at heart.
- Wit & Wordplay5
- Situational Comedy4
- Cringe Humor2
World
Everyday modern life, a real life story, and family
Lived-in and easy to get lost in.
- World Immersion8
- Dialogue Centrality8
- Rewatchability7
Craft
Standout performances, characters, and direction
- Acting9
- Character Depth9
- Direction8
Style
Standout cinematography
- Cinematography8
- Editing7
- Music Composition7
Energy
LowCalm and low-key
The Good Lie is calm and low-intensity.
All energy traits
- Tension4Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
- Fast Pace4Quick tempo and momentum.
- Adrenaline3High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.
- Spectacle3Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Violence2Physical conflict and intensity.
- Scare0Frightening moments and scares.
Related traits
- Slow Burn6Gradual build with payoff.
- Warfare6Battles, strategy, and conflict.
Heart
HighDeeply moving and hopeful
Much of it is about family and growing up.
Emotionally, it's deeply moving, hopeful, and cathartic. Much of it is about family and growing up.
All heart traits
- Pathos9Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
- Family Dynamics9Relationships and generational ties.
- Hopefulness8Optimism and uplifting resolve.
- Catharsis8Emotional release and payoff.
- Coming of Age8Personal growth and self-discovery.
- Wholesome7Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
- Melancholy7Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
- Wonder6Awe, discovery, and amazement.
- Romance3Love stories and emotional connections.
- Nostalgia1Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
Related traits
- Character Depth9Rich, complex characterization.
- Philosophical6Ideas about life and existence.
- Spiritual5Faith, meaning, and transcendence.
All humor traits
- Wit & Wordplay5Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
- Situational Comedy4Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.
- Cringe Humor2Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.
- Physical Comedy1Slapstick and visual gags.
- Satire & Parody1Sharp critique and playful imitation.
- Dark Humor1Humor from taboo or grim topics.
- Absurdist Humor0Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
Related traits
- Wholesome7Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
World
MediumEveryday modern life, a real life story, and family
Lived-in and easy to get lost in.
Its world is built around everyday modern life, a real life story, and family. The setting feels lived-in and easy to get lost in.
All world traits
- World Immersion8Depth and sensory richness of setting.
- Dialogue Centrality8Stories driven by conversation.
- Rewatchability7Invites repeat viewing.
- Novelty5Fresh ideas and invention.
- Ambiguity3Open-endedness and uncertainty.
Related traits
- Contemporary Realism9Modern, grounded storytelling.
- Biographical9Lives of notable figures.
- Social Commentary8Perspectives on society and norms.
- Psychological7Inner worlds and mind games.
- Warfare6Battles, strategy, and conflict.
- Class & Capitalism6Wealth, power, and inequality.
Craft
HighStandout performances, characters, and direction
The performances, characters, and direction stand out.
All craft traits
- Acting9Performance craft and presence.
- Character Depth9Rich, complex characterization.
- Direction8Vision and command behind the camera.
- Dialogue Quality8Sharp writing and memorable lines.
- Narrative Structure7Story architecture and form.
- Intrigue6Curiosity and investigative pull.
- Complexity5Layered plots and ideas.
- Non-linear Narrative1Time-shifts and structure play.
- Meta Narrative0Stories about storytelling.
Related traits
- Philosophical6Ideas about life and existence.
- Slow Burn6Gradual build with payoff.
- Novelty5Fresh ideas and invention.
- Educational5Informative and instructive.
Style
HighStandout cinematography
Look and sound: the cinematography stand out.
All style traits
- Cinematography8Visual composition and camera work.
- Editing7Pacing and structure through cuts.
- Music Composition7Score and musical identity.
- Music Centrality6The score or soundtrack shapes the emotional experience.
- Sound Centrality5Sound design as core element.
- Visual Stylization4Distinctive aesthetic signature.
Related traits
- Dialogue Centrality8Stories driven by conversation.
Who it's for
Find more like it
Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.
About
Miracles are made by people who refuse to stop believing.
Actors
Crew
Titles like The Good Lie
You are here: The Good Lie
Tap a poster to move
You are herePreview
vscompared with The Good Lie
The Good Lie2014
Point at a poster to compare itHold a poster to compare it
A chip fills to its level. Tap a full one for titles without that trait, a low one for titles with it.
Open a page:12th Fail (2023)Wonder (2017)The Ron Clark Story (2006)Awakenings (1990)The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (2019)Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story (2009)Freedom Writers (2007)Boots (2025)The Sky Is Pink (2019)A Street Cat Named Bob (2016)Stand and Deliver (1988)The Way (2010)The Straight Story (1999)Move to Heaven (2021)A Million Miles Away (2023)Wadjda (2012)Manjhi: The Mountain Man (2015)Front of the Class (2008)Lorenzo's Oil (1992)Taali (2023)Flee (2021)Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl (2020)Whale Rider (2003)Penguin Bloom (2021)Boy Erased (2018)Srikanth (2024)My Left Foot: The Story of Christy Brown (1989)I Swear (2025)Ordinary Angels (2024)I Can Only Imagine (2018)Early Summer (1951)Joy (2015)The Ultimate Gift (2007)The Glass Castle (2017)Boyhood (2014)Tanvi the Great (2025)Like Stars on Earth (2007)Queen of Katwe (2016)The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)Hichki (2018)The Life of Chuck (2025)Nil Battey Sannata (2016)Music of the Heart (1999)Breathe (2017)The Way He Looks (2014)Breakthrough (2019)Will & Harper (2024)The Fundamentals of Caring (2016)The Farewell (2019)Sandeep Bhaiya (2023)The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio (2005)Holding the Man (2015)In America (2003)Central Station (1998)C'mon C'mon (2021)The Great Indian Kitchen (2021)Captain Fantastic (2016)Beginners (2011)Land (2021)The Hundred-Foot Journey (2014)Under the Same Moon (2007)Finding Forrester (2000)Megan Leavey (2017)Minari (2021)
Sequels and Prequels
Media
Questions about The Good Lie
Quick answers from GoodWatch data.
Is The Good Lie worth watching?
Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 75/100 (IMDb 7.4, Rotten Tomatoes 85%, and Metacritic 65). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.
What is The Good Lie rated?
It's rated PG-13 in the United States.
How long is The Good Lie?
1 h 50 min
The Good Lie runs 1 h 50 min.
Is The Good Lie based on a true story?
Yes. It's based on real events or a real person's life.
Do critics and audiences agree on The Good Lie?
Yes. Critics average 75 and audiences 76 out of 100, so both groups see The Good Lie much the same way.
Was The Good Lie a box office hit?
No. It cost about $20 million to make and earned $3 million worldwide, 17% of its budget.
What language is The Good Lie in?
It was made in English. Produced in India, Kenya, United States.
In how many countries can I watch The Good Lie?
+40GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Good Lie in 54 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.