Here's the thing: The Invention of Lying has one of those premises that sounds amazing at a dinner party but doesn't quite work as a full movie. The concept is legitimately clever—what if lying simply didn't exist until one guy figured it out?—but the execution is uneven, and that 39% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes is brutally honest (pun intended).

Gervais uses the setup to explore everything from social niceties to the invention of religion, which is intellectually interesting but also means the movie veers into territory that'll make some families uncomfortable. The protagonist isn't exactly likable—he uses his newfound power to manipulate people, especially women—and while there's presumably a redemption arc, the journey there involves a lot of self-serving deception.

For families with older teens who enjoy philosophical discussions and can handle Gervais's brand of humor, there's material here worth discussing. But this isn't a hidden gem—it's a movie that had a great idea and middling follow-through. Most modern teens will find it slow, preachy, and not nearly as funny as it thinks it is. The 2.8/5 on Letterboxd tells you everything: cinephiles weren't impressed either.

If you're looking for clever high-concept comedies for family discussion, there are better options that don't come with the religious satire baggage and cynical protagonist problem.