A book-turned-movie that is teaching a valuable lesson to college-aged individuals
Tell Me Lies is a new Hulu series based on a book that has piqued the interest of many. Similar to the way Euphoria slowly releases episodes and leaves people reflecting after each one, Tell Me Lies scheduled the season’s drop over the course of a couple of months. Each episode had me and others debating what everything meant.
I walked away from most, if not every, episode under the impression that the show had no plot. However, after going down a TikTok rabbit hole and reading analyses online, I understand the message of the show. It’s worth others understanding as well.
The show follows Lucy Albright and Steven DeMarco’s tumultuous relationship. It’s consumed by lies, competition and a need to have the upper hand. Not only does it affect them, but it drags down everyone around them.
This series follows the couple through a school year in which they go through drama and traumatic events. From a roommate’s death to a toxic family situation, these young adults undergo a lot of stress. However, that doesn’t excuse the fact that their relationship negatively impacts everyone in their lives.
I learned from this show the power of a relationship built on toxicity rather than true love and infatuation. It’s more of an obsession than anything for Lucy and Steven. They’re motivated to stay together by the dirt they have on each other. And the drama that keeps them together is drama that their friends are involved in.
I urge all of you to watch with the perspective that this show tries to deliver a story about a couple whose toxic relationship built on dishonesty negatively impacts those around them.
With this understanding, I was more cynical when watching. I could see how the people around Lucy and Steven were affected by them. It was also easier to compare to real-world situations. It didn’t seem like “just a show”, but instead a relationship that could exist at any school.