Sleeping Dogs (Never Lie)

Following the breakdown of his marriage due to his wife's affair with Bullen, Smith arranges to live on an island off the Coromandel Peninsula owned by a Māori tribe. He seeks isolation to escape the scandal and rebuild his life far from the mainland. The relocation marks a fragile new beginning against a national backdrop of turmoil.

A government oil embargo cripples the country, sparking an energy crisis that heightens political tensions. The strain fuels guerrilla activity and civil conflict, turning Smith's exile into a volatile backdrop to his own past.

On the island, Smith and his dog enjoy a peaceful, largely solitary life with little contact from the outside world. The calm atmosphere provides a counterpoint to the growing chaos in the country.

A bomb detonates in a nearby town, triggering a police response and a search for weapons. Explosives are found in Smith's possession, leading to his imprisonment, interrogation, and torture as authorities press for answers.

As Smith is led away in custody, his dog remains on the shore and is seen swimming after the boat carrying him out of sight. The moment underscores the abrupt rupture of the island life he once led.

In the police station, Jesperson, a former schoolmate, underlines that the government views Smith as a central guerrilla leader. He presents Smith with a stark choice: exile from New Zealand or trial by military tribunal with a likely death sentence.

During a transfer between facilities, Smith deliberately forces himself to vomit to confuse his captors, creating an opportunity to escape. He disappears into the city, leaving his pursuers behind.

Smith finds work at a small campground, attempting to blend in with ordinary life. A US Army unit arrives and takes over the campground, disrupting his attempt at anonymity.

Willoughby, the commander of the US forces, grows suspicious of Smith and treats him as a potential rebel sympathizer. Their clash foreshadows the friction between occupying forces and local guerrillas.

Bullen reappears as a senior figure within the underground movement, intensifying the conflict and complicating both Smith’s position and the US military's plans. His return raises the stakes for everyone involved.

As US forces push to crush the rebellion, Smith is reluctantly drawn into participating in an attack organized by Bullen against the military unit. The action escalates the violence and pulls him deeper into the guerrilla war.

Smith and Bullen flee through forest terrain as government forces close in. After surrounding and bombing the guerrilla encampment, government forces briefly force them apart, allowing a narrow escape.

Jesperson and his elite squad corner the guerrillas once more; Bullen is fatally wounded. In a bid to end the ordeal, Smith provokes Jesperson into shooting him, bringing the personal tragedy to a violent close.