'Tell Me Lies': A Review

Sex and manipulation go hand-in-hand in Hulu's 'Tell Me Lies'

Hope Cryer
16th February 2023
Image: @IMDB
Tell Me Lies is a perfectly crafted guilty pleasure. Adapted from Carola Lovering’s 2018 novel, the Hulu drama consists of ten, 1 hour-long episodes, and a steady stream of twists and turns makes it the perfect candidate for your next binge. 

Stephen DeMarco (Jackson White) and Lucy Albright’s (Grace Van Patten) toxic love story is introduced at a friend’s engagement party, eight years after its beginning. Lucy, and the audience alike, are warned to avoid falling into the “Stephen rabbit hole”, which we unwillingly fall down the minute they lock eyes before the opening credits. This serves as a warning for what is to come, and what follows is an introduction to the world of the elitist American College experience.

Tell Me Lies teeters on the edge of glorifying toxic relationships

A freshly single Lucy arrives on campus at Baird College in 2007. The private liberal arts college in leafy, suburban New York is a breeding ground (quite literally) for very beautiful people. From the trailer, it’s clear that sex is at the centre, with over half showing bare skin and nudity. Don’t expect it to be relatable, though; the sex is very stylised- a far cry from the raw intimacy of a show such as Normal People. He and Lucy use sex to get back at each other. There’s a deep-rooted fear of commitment between characters, with most sexual acts appearing to be no-strings-attached, and it is used as a tool by Stephen in a power play. It’s a cruel game which is frustrating at times but enjoyable at others. 

If you love knowing the ins and out of a show and the actors cast in it, there is just as much drama off-screen as there is on. Firstly, rumours are still swirling around whether White and Van Patten are dating in real life, appearing at various events, and teasing on social media. They sent fans' tongues wagging in a plea to Hulu for a season two on Instagram in November.

Image: @IMDB

White’s casting also plays an interesting part in the recent nepotism baby debate. His onscreen mother, Nora, is portrayed by his real-life mother, Katey Sagal, who is best known for her role as Peg Bundy in the 80s sitcom ‘Married with Children’. Nora is hinted at but not introduced until halfway through the series in episode five. Her relationship with Stephen provides a critical backstory vital in redeeming his character and getting the audience back onside. In an article for The Independent, showrunner Meaghan Oppenheim reveals that she didn’t think to cast Sagal until she’d cast White - seeking his permission beforehand: “I felt I had to ask Jackson before anyone else. So I texted him. I said, ‘How would you feel if your mom played Norah?’ And he didn’t respond for a while and then he was like, ‘I love it. Let’s talk to her.’”. 

The audience are warned to avoid falling into the “Stephen rabbit hole”

Overall, Tell Me Lies teeters on the edge of glorifying toxic relationships, with Stephen’s manipulation stretching to the audience. This makes it an addictive watch, leaving you with only the slightest sense of guilt. All episodes are available now to stream on Disney+.

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