Lies

Lies

Year: 2000

Runtime: 112 min

Language: Korean

Director: Sun-Woo Jang

Drama

Two individuals, identified only as Y and J, find themselves caught in a complex and intense relationship that explores the boundaries of pleasure and pain. Their passionate connection leads to a cycle of sadomasochism, forcing them to confront the darker aspects of their desires. As they navigate this twisted dynamic, they must also face the underlying lies that fuel their obsessive bond and the painful truths about themselves.

Lies (2000) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Lies (2000) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In a contemporary city where the ordinary hum of daily life masks hidden longings, an eighteen‑year‑old high‑school senior named Y feels the weight of family whispers and unspoken trauma. Seeking agency over a future that feels predetermined, she is drawn into a tentative correspondence that leads her to a man far outside her world. J, a thirty‑eight‑year‑old sculptor, carries an air of quiet intensity, his studio cluttered with unfinished forms that echo his own unresolved desires. Their initial meeting, set against the backdrop of a nondescript love hotel, becomes a chance for Y to assert control over a moment that has long been denied her.

The relationship that unfurls between them is less a conventional romance than a negotiation of extremes. J introduces Y to a realm where pleasure and pain blur, where the boundaries of dominance and submission are explored with a cautious curiosity that gradually deepens into something more consuming. Their interactions are marked by an unspoken pact to test limits, to confront the shadows that each hides behind polite facades. This delicate power play is underscored by an atmosphere that feels both intimate and unsettling, a private world where the outside noise of school, work, and family recedes into a distant hum.

The film rests on a tone that is simultaneously sensual and austere, using muted lighting and confined spaces to amplify the characters’ internal turmoils. It invites the viewer into a psychological landscape where lies—both spoken and unspoken—fuel an obsessive bond, and where the search for authenticity collides with the allure of forbidden indulgence. As Y and J navigate this fragile dance, the audience is left to wonder how far two strangers will go when the desire to be seen and the fear of being exposed become inseparable.

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 15:35

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Movies about obsessive relationships like Lies

Stories where intense, obsessive bonds become a form of mutual destruction.If you were captivated by the intense dynamic in Lies, these movies explore similarly obsessive and transgressive relationships. They feature characters bound by a dark passion that blurs the lines between love, possession, and destruction, perfect for viewers seeking similarly heavy and provocative dramas.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread follow a linear but escalating path, where a magnetic attraction between characters deepens into an all-encompassing obsession. The narrative focuses on the psychological unraveling and emotional manipulation within the relationship, often leading to a destructive, bittersweet, or tragic conclusion that feels both inevitable and painful.

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These films are grouped by their shared focus on a central, volatile relationship that drives the entire narrative. They share a dark, intense tone, heavy emotional weight, and a deliberate pacing that immerses the viewer in the claustrophobic world of the characters' connection.

Movies about taboo desires and self-destruction like Lies

Character-driven journeys exploring the shadowy corners of human desire and psychology.For viewers who appreciated the exploration of sadomasochism and self-destructive behavior in Lies, this collection highlights other films about sexual awakening and taboo desires. These character studies share a dark, heavy tone and focus on the psychological cost of pursuing forbidden impulses.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern is a character-centric descent, where the protagonist actively or passively pursues a forbidden desire. This journey is marked by escalating risk, emotional turmoil, and a confrontation with the darker aspects of the self, culminating in a resolution that offers little catharsis, often leaving a sense of unresolved pain or tragic fulfillment.

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These movies are united by their thematic focus on taboo subjects—such as unconventional sexuality, addiction, or self-harm—and the psychological unraveling that accompanies them. They share a dark, serious tone, a steady pacing that builds unease, and a commitment to exploring difficult subject matter without shying away from the consequences.

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Lies Summary

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Lies Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Lies

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Lies

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