Lying and Stealing (2019)

Lying and Stealing is the kind of sleek, retro-tinged heist movie that knows the pleasure of watching smart people lie well, move fast, and improvise when the plan inevitably wobbles. It plays like a sunny L.A. noir with a mischievous grin—part crime caper, part romantic sparring match—powered by Theo James’ cool, controlled charm and Emily Ratajkowski’s confident, game-for-anything energy. The film doesn’t pretend to be a grand, twisty masterpiece; it’s a brisk, agreeable diversion that keeps the pace up, the banter light, and the stakes just sharp enough to matter. If you like your crime stories stylish and fun rather than gritty and heavy, this one makes an easy case for your time.

Lying and Stealing is aiming for a slick, sexy LA caper about two attractive messes trying to con their way to freedom, and on paper that’s a perfectly watchable “one last job” setup. The problem is it plays like a highlight reel of familiar heist beats without the cleverness, tension, or character depth needed to make you care when the plan inevitably wobbles. The pacing can feel oddly low-energy for a crime-comedy, and the motivations and logic often land more “convenient” than convincing, which makes the whole thing a bit glossy-and-forgettable. If you’re mainly here for stylish vibes, attractive leads, and light criminal escapism, it’ll pass the time; if you want a sharp, twisty heist or genuinely funny banter, you’ll likely feel shortchanged.