Netflix is quietly counting down the clock on one of its most irresistible thrillers—and fans are scrambling to spread the word before it vanishes from the platform. The Good Liar (2019), a sleek, London-set psychological cat-and-mouse game starring the legendary duo of Ian McKellen and Helen Mirren, has quietly become a cult favorite among subscribers who crave intelligent suspense over bombastic action. With its razor-sharp dialogue, simmering tension, and masterful performances from two of Britain’s greatest living actors, the film delivers a slow-burn thrill that lingers long after the credits roll. Now, as word spreads that it’s facing removal from Netflix, viewers are racing against time to experience—or revisit—this understated gem before it’s gone.
Directed by Bill Condon (Gods and Monsters, Dreamgirls), The Good Liar adapts Nicholas Searle’s 2015 novel of the same name. The story centers on Roy Courtnay (McKellen), a seasoned, silver-tongued con artist in his twilight years who’s still pulling off elaborate scams with the help of his longtime partner Vincent (Jim Carter). Roy’s latest mark is Betty McLeish (Mirren), a recently widowed Oxford history professor with a substantial nest egg and a trusting demeanor. What begins as a calculated romance hatched on an online dating site for mature singles quickly evolves into something far more complicated—and dangerous—than either anticipates.
The film’s genius lies in its restraint. There are no car chases, no gunfights, no over-the-top set pieces. Instead, Condon and screenwriter Jeffrey Hatcher build suspense through glances, pauses, and the weight of unspoken truths. Every conversation feels loaded; every shared meal or quiet evening at home carries an undercurrent of menace. London itself becomes a character—its rainy streets, elegant townhouses, and historic landmarks providing a sophisticated backdrop that mirrors the characters’ polished exteriors hiding darker intentions.
At the center of it all are McKellen and Mirren, sharing the screen for the first time in a feature film. Their chemistry is electric, a blend of charm, suspicion, and unexpected tenderness. McKellen, with his trademark velvet voice and piercing gaze, embodies Roy as a man who’s spent a lifetime lying so convincingly that the truth has become foreign to him. He’s charming yet chilling, a predator who masks his ruthlessness behind gentlemanly manners and feigned vulnerability (a bad knee becomes a clever ploy to gain entry into Betty’s life). Mirren, in turn, is luminous as Betty—warm, intelligent, seemingly fragile after her husband’s death, but with a quiet steel that hints at depths Roy never quite anticipates.
Critics and audiences alike have praised the duo’s performances as a masterclass in acting. Variety called their interplay “an elegant waltz of affection and deception,” while fans on platforms like IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes describe it as “sublime” and “mesmerizing.” One reviewer noted that McKellen’s work here ranks among his best since his Oscar-nominated turn in Gods and Monsters—also directed by Condon—while Mirren brings the same commanding presence she’s shown in roles from The Queen to Woman in Gold. Together, they elevate what could have been a standard con-artist thriller into something profoundly human: a story about deception, regret, revenge, and the masks we all wear.
The plot unfolds with deliberate pacing, layering revelations that keep viewers guessing. Roy and Vincent’s scheme involves siphoning Betty’s fortune through investment ploys and false pretenses, but as Roy embeds himself deeper into her life—staying at her home, sharing stories, even meeting her grandson Steven (Russell Tovey)—cracks appear in his carefully constructed facade. Betty isn’t the easy mark she appears; her own past holds secrets that intersect with Roy’s in unexpected ways. The film flashes back to wartime Berlin, adding historical weight and moral complexity that elevates the stakes beyond mere financial gain.
What makes The Good Liar so gripping is its exploration of truth and lies in later life. Roy and Betty are both in their later years, facing mortality, loneliness, and the consequences of choices made decades earlier. The con becomes more than a heist—it’s a mirror held up to their souls. As one twist leads to another, the audience is forced to question who is truly deceiving whom, and whether redemption is possible when trust has been shattered.
The supporting cast adds texture: Jim Carter’s Vincent is loyal yet weary, a man who’s seen too many schemes go sideways; Russell Tovey’s Steven provides a younger, more idealistic counterpoint; and smaller roles from actors like Mark Lewis Jones and Lucian Msamati bring authenticity to the criminal underworld Roy inhabits.
Cinematographer Tobias A. Schliessler captures London’s dual nature—its beauty and its shadows—with elegant framing. The score by Carter Burwell underscores the tension without overpowering it, letting silence and dialogue do much of the heavy lifting. The film’s R rating comes not from violence (though there are moments of brutality) but from its mature themes and unflinching look at human frailty.
Upon release in 2019, The Good Liar received mixed-to-positive reviews—critics noted it occasionally telegraphs its twists—but audiences embraced it as a smart, adult thriller. It grossed a modest $33 million worldwide against a $10 million budget, but its real legacy has grown through streaming. On Netflix (particularly in regions like the UK where it’s been available), it’s found a second life, with viewers discovering or rediscovering it during late-night binges. Social media buzz often calls it “underrated,” “a hidden gem,” and “one of the best thrillers you’ve never seen.”
Now, that window is closing. Netflix periodically rotates its library due to licensing agreements, and The Good Liar—available in certain markets including the UK—has been flagged for removal (reports from late 2025 indicated an October exit date in some regions, though availability can vary by country and may have shifted). Fans are sounding the alarm: posts on forums, Twitter (now X), and Facebook urge others to watch before it’s gone, turning a quiet favorite into a must-see event. “Don’t sleep on this one—McKellen and Mirren are phenomenal,” reads one viral comment. Another: “If you like smart thrillers like The Talented Mr. Ripley or Gone Girl but with older leads, this is it. Hurry!”
The urgency feels fitting for a film about time running out. Just as Roy’s scheme has a ticking clock, so does the film’s stay on Netflix. In an era of endless content, it’s easy for even excellent films to slip away unnoticed. The Good Liar deserves better—it’s a reminder that thrillers can be cerebral, character-driven, and deeply satisfying without relying on spectacle.
Whether you’re a longtime fan revisiting the twists or a newcomer drawn by the star power, this is your cue. Stream it soon, savor the performances, let the tension build, and prepare for an ending that flips expectations while delivering emotional payoff. In a streaming world that moves fast, some stories are worth pausing for—and The Good Liar is one of them.
Before the platform pulls the plug, dive into this London-set masterpiece. You might just find yourself lying awake afterward, pondering the lies we tell ourselves—and others.
