Common Sense Media Review
By Joyce Slaton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Novel-based dark teen drama has unexpected depths.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
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One of Us Is Lying
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 4 parent reviews
Based on 34 kid reviews
Kids say the show features a mix of thrilling elements like murder and suspense, while emphasizing important lessons about honesty and maturity; however, many reviews caution that it contains adult themes that may not be suitable for younger viewers. Although some found the series engaging and likable with strong character dynamics, a significant number felt it was overshadowed by the book, highlighting excessive language and sexual references as unwarranted additions.
- thrilling elements
- character dynamics
- adult themes
- book comparison
- honesty lessons
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
When five students go into detention on the first day of school and only four come out, all profess they know nothing about how Simon (Mark McKenna) died suddenly of anaphylaxis, but it's obvious to the students who become known as the "Bayview four" that ONE OF US IS LYING. Based on the young adult mystery novel of the same name, this series centers on these four students, the secrets that each of them feared would ruin their future, and the connections each had both with Simon and with each other. Straight-A student Bronwyn (Marianly Tejada), duplicitous cheerleader Addy (Annalisa Cochrane), conflicted jock Cooper (Chibuikem Uche), and surprisingly deep drug dealer Nate (Cooper van Grootel) were worried about exposure. They never thought they'd be mixed up with murder instead.
Is It Any Good?
Passionate fans of the YA novel this steamy teen series is based on will be glad to know the TV version's mostly faithful to the book and is well-made and arresting yet cliched and slow to start. It's obvious that One of Us Is Lying is leaning into its inspirations when gossip-spreader Simon complains about Bayview High in the very first episode: "It's like everyone's here to audition for the reboot of a John Hughes movie." Yet Hughes' overwrought teens were squeaky clean compared to this crew, who have more (too much, really) in common with the characters in teen dramas like Riverdale, Pretty Little Liars, and Gossip Girl (from which One of Us Is Lying cribs its central narrative device of having one character who reveals the foibles of the others online). Their secrets, revealed at cliffhanger-friendly intervals, are a rather predictable drumbeat of drugs, sex, and betrayals, but thankfully the show doesn't rest all of its dramatic weight on the revelation of said secrets.
Instead, as One of Us Is Lying goes on, the best part of the show lies in how the "Bayview four" start connecting to each other. Each reads as a predictable type, particularly at first, but as they warm to one another and start to share more personal details of their lives, they form friendships in touching ways: Nate reveals that he remembers the song Brownyn played at an elementary school talent show; Cooper and Nate bond over their difficult home lives. Like this show's twists, this more genuine side of the show spools out slowly, and it's easy to mistake this series for glossy trashy candy like so many of its peers. It's also easy to binge this show, whether you're a fan of the novel or not.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about bullying. What instances of bullying exist in One of Us Is Lying? What different forms can bullying take? Is any one form more or less harmful than another? What role does technology play in bullying now?
Teens: Do you think this series paints an accurate portrait of teen life? Are the characters' troubles relatable to you? Why or why not? What kinds of stereotypes does this show reinforce or challenge? How does what you see of teen life on TV or in movies influence your own life? Parents: Talk to teens about the role models and messages in shows like this.
How do your relationships with your friends compare to those of the four main characters? Are there things you'll discuss with your friends but not your parents? To whom would you turn if you were in a dangerous situation? How could the teens have handled their situation differently? Have you ever been betrayed by a friend?
TV Details
- Premiere date : October 8, 2021
- Cast : Barrett Carnahan , Annalisa Cochrane , Melissa Collazo
- Network : Peacock
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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