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Crime drama

Lying and Stealing (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Lying and Stealing (2019) movie poster

Lying and Stealing is a 2019 crime drama directed by Matt Aselton, starring Theo James as Ivan Warding, Fred Melamed and Emily Ratajkowski. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes and earned $641,509 worldwide on a $3 million budget. Critics gave it 58% on Rotten Tomatoes and 50 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.5/10.

IMDb rating
5.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
58%
worldwide gross
$641.5K
Echo Score
50
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Lying and Stealing (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 40m (100 min)
Director
Matt Aselton
Genres
Drama , Crime
Original language
English
Budget
$3M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Lying and Stealing About?

The premise of Lying and Stealing without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A skilled art thief, seeking a chance at redemption, finds an unlikely partner in a seductive con artist. Together, they embark on one final, daring heist, navigating a complex web of deception and danger. As they delve deeper into their plan, they face treacherous moral challenges and must confront the true cost of their freedom and the risks involved in their dangerous game.

Lying and Stealing Themes & Keywords

· 9 tags
  • actress
  • pubic hair
  • male pubic hair
  • legs
  • bare legs
  • female bare legs
  • fbi agent
  • caper crime
  • heist crime
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Cast & crew

Lying and Stealing Cast & Characters

Theo James leads the cast as Ivan Warding, with Fred Melamed as Dimitri Maropakis and Emily Ratajkowski as Elyse Tibaldi. Directed by Matt Aselton; 14 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Matt Aselton

One more film directed by Matt Aselton: Gigantic.

Full filmography
Ratings

Lying and Stealing Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Lying and Stealing 58% on Rotten Tomatoes and 50 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 50/100, strongest in sensory experience (75) and weakest in rewatch factor (40).

50 /100

Lying and Stealing Echo Score Breakdown

While Lying and Stealing offers intermittent entertainment in its art heist framework, it often struggles to sustain engagement. Many reviewers praised its occasional clever sequences and polished surface assets, yet noted a lack of depth in character development and narrative cohesion. The tone oscillates between light banter and forced seriousness, undermining momentum. Ultimately, the film delivers sporadic amusement but remains a largely forgettable addition to the genre.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 55

    The film’s art and craft deliver a modestly polished presentation with limited distinction. Despite budgetary constraints, the cinematography captures retro heist settings and the production design conveys a sleek atmosphere. Editing transitions maintain clarity but seldom elevate tension. Overall, the visual and technical elements provide adequate polish yet fail to leave a lasting impression.

  • Character & Emotion 50

    Character and emotional depth in Lying and Stealing prove inconsistent throughout. The leads exhibit occasional chemistry, but performances often lack charisma and depth, leading to limited audience investment. Supporting roles show brief resonance but do not enrich relationships meaningfully. In the end, uneven characterization and shallow emotional arcs reduce the film’s potential for deeper engagement.

  • Story & Flow 45

    When it comes to story and flow, the film relies heavily on familiar heist conventions without substantial innovation. Plot pacing oscillates between brisk setup moments and slower, cliché-laden sequences that undercut narrative momentum. Dialogue banter offers intermittent engagement but does not compensate for predictable structural turns. Consequently, the storyline maintains moderate coherence but lacks the originality to fully engage viewers.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    In terms of sensory experience, Lying and Stealing offers a compelling soundtrack and polished sound design that heighten tension during heist sequences. The score’s rhythms support mood shifts, and visual styling presents a cohesive neo-noir aesthetic. However, these sensory strengths sometimes feel superficial and do not fully offset narrative shortcomings. Overall, the film’s audio-visual elements remain its most engaging aspect.

  • Rewatch Factor 40

    When evaluating rewatch factor, the film provides limited incentive for multiple viewings due to its shallow thematic depth and predictable plot. While certain heist set pieces and stylish production elements revisit with mild enjoyment, the overall narrative does not reveal new layers on repeat viewings. As a result, the film’s lasting appeal is minimal and unlikely to sustain audience interest over time.

Plot

Lying and Stealing Plot Summary

What happens in Lying and Stealing from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Ivan Warding, played by Theo James, is a skilled thief who specializes in lifting priceless artwork from the affluent residents of Los Angeles. The city’s elite has a vast collection of artworks valued at over a million dollars, but they often come with minimal security, making them a much more appealing target than banks. Ivan slips into these swanky parties through the rear entrances or kitchens, which are typically left unguarded. Once inside, he deftly swaps the original artwork with a replica while disposing of the real piece disguised as trash.

Full summary

The whole story of Lying and Stealing, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Lying and Stealing Box Office & Budget

Lying and Stealing grossed $641,509 worldwide on a $3 million budget, 21% of what it cost.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$641.5K

21% of its budget back

International
$641.5K
Budget
$3M
Videos

Lying and Stealing Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Lying and Stealing.

Lying and Stealing | Official Trailer (HD) | Vertical Entertainment
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Lying and Stealing?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is Ivan Warding's profession?

Cars

Cars in Lying and Stealing

20 cars on screen, including the 1986 Buick Grand National and the 2003 Ford Crown Victoria.

All 20 cars
  • 1986 Buick Grand National in Lying and Stealing 1986 Buick Grand National Main role
  • 2003 Ford Crown Victoria in Lying and Stealing 2003 Ford Crown Victoria Important role
  • 2008 Jaguar XJ X358 in Lying and Stealing 2008 Jaguar XJ X358 Important role
  • 2006 Lincoln Town Car Stretched Limousine in Lying and Stealing 2006 Lincoln Town Car Stretched Limousine Important role
Details

Lying and Stealing Also Known As

28 alternative titles, including “谎言与偷窃” and “Hazugok és tolvajok”.

Also known as
  • 谎言与偷窃
  • Hazugok és tolvajok
  • Arnaqueurs associés
  • 라잉 앤드 스틸링
  • Mr &Ms スティーラー
  • Мистецтво обману
  • 퍼펙트 파트너
  • Искусство обмана
  • Estafadores
  • Крадец и измамник
  • לשקר ולגנוב
  • Κλέφτες και Απατεώνες
+16 more
  • El Arte del Engaño
  • Krāpšanas māksla
  • 你是騙子我是賊
  • Последња превара
  • Mr.&Ms.スティーラー
  • Crimes et mensonges
  • Złodziej i oszustka
  • Aldatma Sanatı
  • Zloději a lháři
  • Vagys melagiai
  • L'arte della truffa
  • Mentir e Roubar
  • Zlodeji a klamári
  • Dối Trá và Trộm Cắp
  • Minciuni și hoții
  • Ladrões Com Arte

Seen Lying and Stealing?

FAQ

Lying and Stealing FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Lying and Stealing, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Lying and Stealing?

Lying and Stealing runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).

When was Lying and Stealing released?

Lying and Stealing was released on July 12, 2019.

Who directed Lying and Stealing?

Lying and Stealing was directed by Matt Aselton.

More films by Matt Aselton

Who is in the cast of Lying and Stealing?

Lying and Stealing stars Theo James as Ivan Warding, Fred Melamed as Dimitri Maropakis and Emily Ratajkowski as Elyse Tibaldi, among 14 credited actors.

How much did Lying and Stealing make at the box office?

Lying and Stealing grossed $641,509 worldwide on a budget of $3 million.

How is Lying and Stealing rated?

Lying and Stealing has 5.5/10 on IMDb, 58% on Rotten Tomatoes, 50 on Metacritic and 58% on TMDB.

Does Lying and Stealing have a post-credit scene?

No. Lying and Stealing has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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