White Lie

White Lie

Year: 2021

Runtime: 96 min

Language: English

Directors: Calvin Thomas, Yonah Lewis

Drama

As a desperate bid for attention and financial security, a university student fabricates a life-altering illness, only to find herself trapped in a web of deception, forced to navigate the blurred lines between truth and fabrication.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – White Lie (2021)
Explore the full timeline and setting of White Lie (2021). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The story unfolds in a contemporary setting, reflecting modern societal issues such as personal identity, deception, and the pursuit of validation through social media. This time period emphasizes the impact of technology on relationships and the lengths individuals may go to in order to maintain their public persona.

Location

University Campus, Jennifer's Family Home

The movie predominantly takes place on a university campus, a setting known for its vibrant academic life and social interactions among students. It serves as the backdrop for Katie's emotional manipulation and deceit, highlighting the pressures and dynamics of college life. Jennifer's family home also features, symbolizing stability and trust, contrasting with Katie's duplicitous actions.

🏫 University 🏡 Home

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:31

Main Characters – White Lie (2021)
Meet the key characters of White Lie (2021), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Katie Arneson

Katie is a complex character driven by her desire for acceptance and financial support, which leads her to fabricate a terminal illness. Her manipulative behavior reflects her struggle with self-worth and her fear of being exposed. Despite her deceitful actions, the audience may feel sympathy for her internal conflicts as she grapples with the consequences of her lies.

👩‍🎓 College Student ✅ Manipulative

Jennifer Ellis

Jennifer is portrayed as a caring and trusting partner who is deeply devoted to Katie. Her unconditional support reveals her character’s naivety towards Katie's deceptive lifestyle. As the plot progresses, she encounters the heartbreak of betrayal, navigating the complexities of love and trust in a relationship overshadowed by secrets.

💖 Supportive 😞 Trusting

Katie's Father

Katie's father serves as a voice of reason in the film, confronting Katie about her lies. His refusal to support her deception eventually becomes a catalyst for Katie's downward spiral. The father character embodies the pain of familial disconnect and the struggle of wanting to protect a child from their own mistakes.

👨‍👧 Estranged 🚫 Disapproving

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:31

Major Themes – White Lie (2021)
Explore the central themes of White Lie (2021), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🩺 Deceit

At the center of the film is the theme of deceit, as Katie fabricates a life-threatening illness to manipulate those around her. This raises questions about morality and the consequences of living a lie. The emotional toll on both Katie and her loved ones illustrates how deceit can lead to a spiral of further dishonesty and emotional distress.

💔 Betrayal

Betrayal is a critical theme, particularly in Katie’s relationships with her girlfriend Jennifer and her father. As the truth unravels, the betrayal of trust deeply affects the dynamics of these relationships, leading to profound emotional pain and a crisis of identity for Katie.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:31

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