One of Us Is Lying
One of Us Is Lying is an American teen drama mystery television series based on Karen M. McManus's bestselling novel. The series follows five high school students who enter detention, but only four emerge alive after one student, Simon Kelleher, dies under suspicious circumstances. Simon was known for running a gossip app that exposed his classmates' deepest secrets, making the remaining four students — Bronwyn, Addy, Nate, and Cooper — prime suspects in his death. The narrative unravels their secrets, relationships, and attempts to uncover the truth behind Simon's demise while navigating the complexities of high school life and a murder investigation. The show explores themes of identity, social dynamics, and the consequences of hidden truths. It is targeted at a young adult audience but contains mature themes and content, including violence, sexual situations, strong language, and substance use, making it generally more appropriate for older teenagers and adults.
Concerns
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
HighThe series features prominent LGBTQ+ characters and themes. Cooper Clay is explicitly identified as gay and is in a relationship with a college student named Kris. Janae Matthews, Simon's best friend, is a lesbian, and her character in Season 2 is also explored as gender-fluid, using they/she/he pronouns. The showrunners aimed to portray LGBTQ+ issues realistically, including the challenges and acceptance within characters' lives.
Cooper Clay's storyline involves him being a closeted gay athlete, with his secret relationship with Kris being a central plot point. His girlfriend, Keely, is aware of his sexuality and acts as a 'beard.' Janae Matthews is openly lesbian and in Season 2, her character's gender identity is explored as gender-fluid, indicated by the use of they/she/he pronouns. Cooper also faces homophobia when his first boyfriend's brother attacks him, leading to Cooper's arrest.
Violence
HighThe series contains significant violence, including a central murder mystery and depictions of physical altercations, suicide attempts, and threats with weapons. The narrative involves life-or-death situations and the psychological toll of severe bullying and secrets.
Simon Kelleher dies from anaphylactic shock in the first episode, later revealed to be a planned suicide. In the Season 1 climax, Jake pulls a gun on Addy and Cooper in the woods, and is subsequently shot and killed during a struggle involving multiple characters. A flashback reveals Bronwyn threatened to murder Simon after discovering he received sexually explicit pictures from her sister, Maeve. Leah, a student whose secret was exposed by Simon's app, attempts suicide by slitting her wrist.
Romance and Sexual Content
HighThe show features extensive romantic and sexual content, including discussions and depictions of infidelity, casual sexual encounters, and implied sexual activity. Teen relationships are central to the plot, often involving mature themes and unprotected sex.
Bronwyn and Nate have sex in one episode. Addy's infidelity, having cheated on Jake with TJ, is a significant plot point, and Simon's app frequently exposed 'sex tapes, pregnancy scares and cheating scandals.' The show depicts 'underaged drinking and bedding down together' as commonplace. A flashback reveals Simon received sexually explicit pictures from Maeve.
Profanity
HighThe series features frequent and strong profanity. Reviews indicate the use of explicit curse words and derogatory terms, reflecting casual and intense language among high school students.
The Catholic Review notes 'frequent and gratuitous rough language.' Specific profanities mentioned in reviews of the source material and clips include the 'f-word,' 's---,' 'a--,' 'b---h,' 'whore,' 'slut,' 'fag,' and 'douchbag.' Additionally, the name of Jesus is used alone and with 'Christ,' and God's name is used with 'd---n.' In the pilot episode, Nate says 'oh shit' and 'fucking' in casual conversation.
Substance Use
HighSubstance use is explicitly depicted and plays a significant role in character backstories and plot developments. This includes drug dealing, prescription drug abuse, and underage alcohol consumption.
Nate Macauley is a known drug dealer who sells illicit painkillers. A flashback reveals Nate sold drugs to Janae, who subsequently overdosed and was saved by Nate. Cooper Clay takes prescription painkillers, which is revealed through a drug test. Underaged drinking is depicted as commonplace among the high school students.
Scary & Intense Content
HighThe series features intense and suspenseful content centered around a murder mystery, including themes of death, suicide, and psychological manipulation. Characters are placed in dangerous situations, and the constant threat of exposure or further violence creates a high level of tension.
The entire plot is initiated by Simon's mysterious death in detention, which is later revealed to be a meticulously planned suicide designed to frame his classmates. Jake chases Addy into the woods with a gun, resulting in a violent struggle where Jake is fatally shot. Earlier, a student named Leah attempts suicide by slitting her wrist due to harassment after her secret is exposed by Simon. Addy is also chased by an unseen stranger, creating a frightening scenario.
Disrespect & Rebellion
HighDisrespect and rebellion are central themes, particularly through the use of Simon's gossip app, 'About That,' which thrives on exposing private information and undermining social norms. The teenage characters frequently defy authority figures and engage in secretive, often illicit, behaviors.
Simon's entire premise for his 'About That' app is to expose secrets and bring down his peers, showcasing extreme disrespect for privacy and social contracts. The students are initially in detention for violating a no-phone policy, indicating immediate defiance of school rules. Bronwyn lies to her parents about her Yale acceptance, and Nate pretends his mother is dead, demonstrating significant deceit and rebellion against parental authority.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowThere is no indication of witchcraft or occult themes in the 'One of Us Is Lying' TV series or its source material. The narrative is grounded in contemporary mystery and teen drama.
No instances of witchcraft, sorcery, magic rituals, demons, spells, or supernatural elements were found in the content analysis. The show focuses on realistic, albeit heightened, high school drama and criminal investigation.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowThe series does not contain explicit anti-Christian themes. While some characters were raised Catholic and there are instances of God's name being used in vain, there is no overt mockery, criticism, or sacrilegious portrayal of Christian beliefs or symbols.
Bronwyn and Nate are mentioned to have attended Catholic school as children. The use of phrases like 'God's name with d---' is noted under profanity but does not constitute a central anti-Christian theme or direct attack on the faith. There are no scenes depicting desecration of religious sites or explicit anti-Christian messaging.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Ages 16+ due to frequent strong language, explicit sexual content, underage substance use, violence, mature LGBTQ+ themes, and themes of suicide and mental health struggles. Christian parents may find the content, particularly the moral ambiguity and explicit sexual and LGBTQ+ themes, unsuitable even for adults.
Additional Notes
The TV series deviates from the book's plot in its second season, introducing new storylines and character developments while maintaining the core premise of a teen mystery. The show frequently explores complex moral dilemmas and the consequences of actions, which can be a point of discussion for parents. The rapid pace and multiple twists may be intense for some viewers. The portrayal of mental health, including suicide and addiction, requires careful consideration.
Related Reviews
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