Overview
A government agent's double life spirals into chaos when his wife seeks excitement elsewhere.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Breakneck
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Brutal
- bombastic
- witty
- irreverent
- blockbuster movie night
- action movie marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film an entertaining blend of inventive action, comic absurdity, and star chemistry, despite a perfunctory plot and dated stereotypes.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Harry presents himself to Helen as a dull computer salesman while operating as a government agent.
Harry treats Helen's search for adventure as a problem to solve through an elaborate spy-style operation.
The film combines destructive chases, gun battles, and stunts with knowingly comic timing and absurd escalation.
Harry's espionage identity is repeatedly brought into tension with his responsibilities as husband and father.
Films like True Lies, and why
True Romance
Shared high-concept spy action, comic set pieces, glamorous espionage atmosphere, and secret-agent wish fulfillment.
The Rock
Shared 1990s blockbuster action, fish-out-of-water humor, terrorism plot, and charismatic star-driven spectacle.
The Spy Who Dumped Me
Shared secret-agent genre conventions, marital or romantic complications, comic action, and extravagant set pieces.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith
Shared family-centered action comedy, undercover identity, explosive spectacle, and playful domestic conflict.
Movie Details
- Director
- James Cameron
- Release Date
- 1994-07-15
- Runtime
- 141 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (4750)
Cast
- Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Jamie Lee Curtis
- Tom Arnold
- Bill Paxton
- Tia Carrere
- Art Malik
- Eliza Dushku
- Grant Heslov
- Charlton Heston
- Marshall Manesh
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, AMC
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is True Lies about?
- A supposedly ordinary husband turns his secret-agent life into an explosive double act when espionage and marital adventure collide.
- What is True Lies like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of True Lies as breakneck, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is True Lies violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in True Lies as brutal.
- What did critics think of True Lies?
- Critics broadly found the film an entertaining blend of inventive action, comic absurdity, and star chemistry, despite a perfunctory plot and dated stereotypes.
- Which films are like True Lies?
- Films with a similar feel include True Romance, The Rock, The Spy Who Dumped Me, and Mr. & Mrs. Smith.
- How long is True Lies?
- True Lies runs 141 minutes.
- Where can I watch True Lies?
- In United States, True Lies streams on Philo, AMC.
