Long before charming audiences in The Thursday Murder Club, Helen Mirren headlined Netflix’s razor-sharp thriller opposite Ian McKellen. What starts as a perfect con — a veteran swindler targeting a wealthy widow — twists into a deadly game where every lie hides another betrayal. As their bond deepens, the deception turns darker, leading to a jaw-dropping climax that proves this isn’t just a con, but a battle for survival.

The Good Liar Review: Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen Turn a Deceptive Con Into a Masterclass in Suspense

Bill Condon’s The Good Liar is not just another thriller — it’s a film crafted entirely for adults, one that thrives on restraint, slow-burn tension, and powerhouse performances from Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen. In a genre filled with flashy heists and fast-paced scams, this movie stands apart by leaning into character, atmosphere, and the unsettling reality that not everything — or everyone — is as they seem.

A Mature Thriller Built on Lies and Revelations

From its opening scenes, The Good Liar builds unease with quiet precision. Con artist Roy Courtnay (McKellen) sets his sights on wealthy widow Betty (Mirren), believing her to be the perfect mark. But what unfolds is far more layered than a typical con story. Condon and screenwriter Jeffrey Hatcher know how to pull the audience into the trap — revealing just enough to keep viewers suspicious, then twisting the knife with every revelation.

The result is a thriller that never indulges in overexplanation or spectacle, but instead uses silence, subtext, and calculated reveals to create tension. Every look between Mirren and McKellen feels like a battle of wills.

A Cautionary Tale Rooted in Real-Life Inspiration

Though The Good Liar isn’t based on a true story, Nicholas Searle’s novel was inspired by real events. In 2016, Searle revealed that an elderly relative had been targeted by an online con man, whose compulsive and inconsistent lies became the foundation for Roy’s character.

“I came across a man who became the model for Roy,” Searle told The Huffington Post. “A distant relative of mine met this man through an online dating service for older people. He charmed her greatly and had moved into her home by the time I met him. I was both fascinated and horrified.”

While Betty herself is not based on Searle’s relative, this kernel of reality grounds the story in a relatable fear: how easily trust can be weaponized in an increasingly digital world.

Book vs. Film: Why the Movie Surpasses the Novel

Searle’s original novel earned a spot on the Sunday Times Top 10 Bestsellers list, but Condon’s adaptation sharpens the edges, streamlining the story while elevating the suspense.

In the book, Roy’s story is punctuated by flashbacks stretching from his childhood to adulthood. These extended diversions slow the pacing and dilute the central con. The film wisely trims these, instead focusing on Roy’s present-day schemes and moral unraveling, with only a few flashbacks used to devastating effect.

Similarly, Betty’s intelligence and hidden strength — largely delayed until late in the novel — are allowed more presence onscreen, making her reveal all the more satisfying. By tightening structure and leaning into the Mirren–McKellen dynamic, the film becomes less about exposition and more about psychological warfare.

Mirren and McKellen: A Duel of Legends

What truly elevates The Good Liar is its cast. Ian McKellen infuses Roy with charm, menace, and fleeting moments of remorse, making him both terrifying and strangely human. Helen Mirren, meanwhile, crafts a masterclass in subtlety — starting as a seemingly gentle widow before peeling back layers of resilience, intelligence, and quiet rage.

Together, their performances turn what could have been a straightforward con story into a chess match, every move calculated, every word laced with double meaning.

The Verdict: A Taut Thriller With Bite

At just 110 minutes, The Good Liar is lean, elegant, and surprisingly devastating. While its source material laid the foundation, Condon’s adaptation cuts away the excess, sharpens the twists, and lets two legendary performers play at the height of their powers.

More than just a tale of scams and secrets, it’s a cautionary story about the dangers of misplaced trust — and a reminder that even the best liars eventually face their truth.