Lie with Me Arrête avec tes mensonges ) is a 2022 French romantic drama film directed by Olivier Peyon
. The film is an adaptation of the autobiographical 2017 novel of the same name by Philippe Besson
. It tells the story of a successful novelist, Stéphane Belcourt, who returns to his hometown after 35 years and is forced to confront memories of his first love—a clandestine teenage affair—after meeting the son of his former lover. Quick Facts Original Title: Arrête avec tes mensonges (literally "Stop with your lies"). Release Date:
Premiered on August 27, 2022, at the Angoulême Francophone Film Festival; wide French release on February 22, 2023. Olivier Peyon Guillaume de Tonquédec (Stéphane), Victor Belmondo Jérémy Gillet (Young Stéphane), and Julien de Saint Jean Running Time: 98 minutes.
Won the Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature and Best Screenplay at the 2023 KASHISH Pride Film Festival. Themes and Narrative The film has been described by critics from The Guardian
as a "French Brokeback Mountain," focusing on the enduring impact of a secret first love. The Guardian
Verified Review / Synopsis – Lie with Me (2022)
Director: Olivier Peyon
Based on: The novel by Philippe Besson
Starring: Guillaume de Tonquédec, Victor Belmondo, Jérémy Gillet, Guilaine Londez
Logline: A celebrated author returns to his hometown for a Cognac sponsorship and is forced to confront a buried 35-year-old secret when he meets the son of his first great love. lie with me film 2022 verified
Verified Take: Far from a standard coming-out-later-in-life story, Lie with Me is an elegant, devastating French drama about class, shame, and the lies we tell to survive. The film moves between two timelines—the passionate, secretive 1980s affair between young Thomas and Philippe, and the present day, where older Philippe (now a famous writer) meets Lucas, the son he never knew existed.
What makes it exceptional: The performances. Victor Belmondo (as young Thomas) radiates a heartbreaking mixture of bravado and fear, while Guillaume de Tonquédec captures the quiet collapse of a man who built his entire adult identity on denial. The final 15 minutes are devastating in a way that feels earned, not manipulative.
Verdict: A must-watch for fans of Call Me by Your Name or God’s Own Country. Elegant, sad, and ultimately hopeful about the truth’s late arrival. 4.5/5
First, let’s verify the basic facts. Lie with Me is a French-language romantic drama directed by Olivier Peyon, based on the autobiographical novel Arrête avec tes mensonges by acclaimed author Philippe Besson. The film had its world premiere at the Angoulême Francophone Film Festival in August 2022 before a wider theatrical release in France in early 2023.
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The film is not related to the 2005 Canadian film of the same name starring Lauren Lee Smith. It is an entirely separate, verified production.
The film is not sentimental. It shows that returning to your past is rarely healing. The beautiful Cognac landscapes are shot with a cold, melancholic lens—beautiful but unreachable.
You might wonder why so many people search for "lie with me film 2022 verified." There are two verified reasons: Lie with Me Arrête avec tes mensonges )
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Film Title: Lie with Me Release Year: 2022 Genre: Drama, Romance Director: Rachel Winter Starring: Poppy Jack, Tom Cullen, Emily Carey, and Alex Ferns
Plot Summary: "Lie with Me" is a drama romance film that tells the story of a complex and intense relationship between two characters, Poppy and Tom. The movie explores themes of love, trauma, and vulnerability.
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Cast and Crew:
Critical Reception: The film received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising the performances of the lead actors and others criticizing the pacing and predictability of the storyline.
Availability: "Lie with Me" (2022) is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu, and other digital platforms.
If you're interested in watching the film, I recommend checking it out on a platform of your choice! Verified Review / Synopsis – Lie with Me
A succinct, spoiler-light summary: the film follows a protagonist entangled in deceit and psychological manipulation after a disruptive encounter, leading to blurred lines between truth and perception. (If you want a full spoiler synopsis, say so.)
Example: If promotional materials say the central twist involves unreliable memory, confirm by comparing festival reviews and interview quotes from the director discussing narrative intent.
Logline: A celebrated author returns to his provincial hometown for the first time in decades, only to be confronted by the son of his secret first love—forcing him to finally exhume a buried, passionate teenage romance that shaped his entire life.
Beyond critics, verified audience reviews from Letterboxd, IMDb (rating 7.5/10), and Reddit threads reveal common reactions:
“I sobbed for 20 minutes after it ended. It’s not sad in a melodramatic way. It’s sad because it’s real.” “Victor Belmondo is mesmerizing. The scene where he reads his father’s letter… I will never forget it.” “This film does what Call Me By Your Name tried to do, but with more honesty about the damage left behind.”
The film has become a touchstone for queer audiences, particularly older gay men who recognize the trauma of growing up in the 1980s AIDS-era closet.
"Lie With Me" (2022) is a psychological thriller film; this feature compiles verified facts, plot context, production details, themes, reception, and viewing guidance so a reader can quickly understand the film, its reliability (verification of facts), and its cultural or critical standing. Examples illustrate how verification was applied and how to evaluate claims about films in general.